NIO Capital

NIO Capital is a China-based investment fund founded in 2016 that focuses on the new energy vehicle and smart mobility ecosystem, including power batteries, autonomous driving, new energy vehicle manufacturing, and charging infrastructure . It operates with relative independence from NIO the car company, raising capital through market-oriented mechanisms rather than functioning as a captive strategic CVC . As of early 2024, it had raised five funds (three USD, two RMB) with total assets under management of roughly 15 billion yuan, including a second RMB fund that closed at over 3 billion yuan . The fund's investment approach combines deep industry expertise with financial return objectives—using its network to validate technologies through real-world testing with automakers before committing capital, as it did when evaluating nearly 20 lidar companies by sending samples to NIO for verification . Notable portfolio companies include CATL, Momenta, Pony.ai, and Innovusion . NIO Capital also maintains an active founder community called "牛总会" (NIO Bulls Club) spanning more than 80 portfolio companies to facilitate business development and industry trend judgment .