Chris Evdaimon

A purposeful life

My Greek surname comes from the Aristotelian principle of Eudaimonia, which the ancient philosopher defined as the highest human good: living a happy life, full of activity, always in accordance with reason. I strive to live up to those principles.

In my twenties, they encouraged me to cofound a company, ECDL Hellas – now PeopleCert. I spent five years as chief operating officer of the professional skills exam specialist. Building and operating a company yields learnings, pressures, failures and gratification that neither academic study nor other professional endeavour can provide.

Can-do in China

I started backing others’ early-stage companies as a hobby, with limited expectations. After my first six angel investments, I discovered early-stage venture capital, which took me to Beijing and a partnership at Sinovation Ventures. Working there, alongside renowned computer scientist Kai-Fu Lee, gave me a different perspective that continues to inform my investing.

This was the early 2010s, when China’s start-up ecosystem was in its fast-paced, formative years. I was struck by the can-do, conquer-it-all mentality of the nation’s company founders. Having this aggressive attitude was often critical to their businesses having a chance of survival. The flip side was that it could also encourage them to become overextended. In the west, this ‘extreme fighting’ characteristic is rarer, and I don’t actively look for it in the leaders of companies I back. But when I find it, I appreciate it.

Impact and experience

There’s no paradox in making money while having a measurable, beneficial impact on society and the environment. The world has acute and time-pressing problems, and the solutions are much more likely to come from entrepreneurship than any other source.

I watch out for seasoned entrepreneurs with a long-term vision, perseverance and, above all, the ability to execute. Those who, when presented with a choice, take the long-term option. I also look for first-time founders who exhibit any signs of these traits.

Common ground

Alignment between founders, investors and other stakeholders is the crucial ingredient in the recipe for a company’s long-term success.

The end to cheap capital only reinforces the point. I expect everyone’s interests will be served by access to funds being more limited over the next 10 years than in the previous decade. Companies will have to make tougher choices and demonstrate that they have a path to profitable growth. This will encourage founders to take a more rational and sustainable approach to building a business. And that will likely give rise to new category winners that stand the test of time.

Please remember that all investment strategies have the potential for profit and loss and your or your clients’ capital may be at risk.
 
The information on this Website is issued by Baillie Gifford Asia (Hong Kong) Limited 柏基亞洲(香港)有限公司 (the “Company”) which is licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong (the “SFC”) under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (“SFO”) for Type 1 (Dealing in Securities) regulated activity with CE Number BGB803. It allows the Company to market and distribute the Baillie Gifford’s range of collective investment schemes to Professional Investors (as defined by the SFO) in Hong Kong.
 
The information contained in this website has been compiled with considerable care to ensure its accuracy at the date of publication. However, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made to its accuracy or completeness. Nothing in this information or elsewhere in this website shall exclude, limit or restrict our duties and liabilities to you under the SFO or any conduct of business rules which we are bound to comply with. The information on this website has not been reviewed by the SFC. These Terms and any non-contractual obligations arising from or connected with them shall be governed by, and these Terms shall be construed in accordance with, the laws of Hong Kong.
 
This website is informative only and the information provided should not be considered as investment or other advice or a recommendation or offer to buy, sell or hold a particular investment. You can read details of our Legal and Important Information here. Please remember that all investment strategies have the potential for profit and loss and your or your clients’ capital may be at risk.
 
This website does not collect personal information. "Cookies" may be stored on your computer for easy navigation. A "cookie" does not allow us to identify you, but stores information about navigation through our website (such as pages already visited, time and date of visit) which we can remember during the user's next visit to our website in order to improve your browsing experience. If you have any enquiries in relation to our data protection policies and procedures, this Website or the information on it, please click here to contact Baillie Gifford.
 
Baillie Gifford Asia (Hong Kong) Limited 柏基亞洲(香港)有限公司 is incorporated in Hong Kong.  The Company’s principal place of business is Suites 2713-2715 Two International Finance Centre, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong . Baillie Gifford Asia (Hong Kong) Limited 柏基亞洲(香港)有限公司 is a wholly owned subsidiary of Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited, which is wholly owned by Baillie Gifford & Co. Baillie Gifford Overseas Limited and Baillie Gifford & Co are authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority.