Betty Lee, principal at Woven Capital, is one of our top 50 Emerging Leaders in corporate venturing for 2026.
Some people approach their work as a job or even a vocation, but Betty Lee, principal at carmaker Toyota’s Woven Capital unit, sees it as something more enjoyable.
“I am one of those people that is absolutely crazy about being in the venture capital world,” she says. “I am very fortunate that my job feels like a hobby to me. I love that, first and foremost, it is a people-centred business, where every small interaction matters.
“And then, of course, it is exciting that you get to look at emerging technologies every day, which makes no two days the same.”
Lee began looking at deep tech when she was at telecommunications firm SK Telecom’s corporate venture unit, where she spent four years as an investor, having previously been chief financial officer at digital media and ecommerce startup Jerrick.
“I am very fortunate that my job feels like a hobby to me. I love that, first and foremost, it is a people-centred business, where every small interaction matters”
Woven Capital hired Lee in 2021, and she focuses on autonomous mobility, AI and connectivity deals. She is experienced enough to have seen a couple of technology cycles already. Autonomous driving was hot when Lee joined, but the hype subsequently died down, before heating up again recently– a sign, she says, that it is important to stick to the industries you are passionate about.
Lee has led investments in virtual sensor developer Compredict and autonomous driving validation startup Foretellix, and she is excited to explore how the world of venture capital continues to change as new possibilities are created.
“I am a venture capital lifer, but I would maybe like to either create something new like starting my own fund, or join a fund that is just getting off the ground,” she says.
“I imagine we might see the venture capital model completely change in my lifetime. I know people have been saying this for decades – and I would argue it has not really changed – but, especially with the amazing things AI is able to do, I could see that model maybe evolving.”
The Emerging Leaders are mid-career corporate venture professionals who are making an outstanding contribution to their teams and the industry.
See the full list of Emerging Leaders here.
