Nancy Chen, vice president - principal technology investments at Wells Fargo Strategic Capital, is one of our top 50 Rising Stars in corporate venturing for 2026.
As a VC investor, Nancy Chen combines technical expertise with strategic relationship building that allows her to deliver outstanding results across portfolio management and pipeline diligence, say her teammates. She shows analytical rigour and a high degree of ownership in the projects she is involved in and can navigate complex deal structures and provide expert insights with ease and authority.
During her time at Wells Fargo Strategic Capital, Chen has led high-impact engagements with investors and management teams, strengthened external partnerships and driven critical processes such as P&L tracking and investment committee materials with precision.
“My growth within the team is a tribute to very supportive managers who have been great at teaching me and ensuring that I am constantly learning.”
“You need to know how to push from your side if it is a deal you want to do, but the obstacles seem steep. You have also got to be prepared for it to not work out.”
Chen enjoys dealmaking and seeing the growth of portfolio companies.
“I like having a lot of autonomy over a deal, even though I am still a mid-level member of the team. And later, I get to see the development of the company after the underwriting process – it is a definite highlight,” she says.
Chen points out the sharp learning curve of the role. “You need to know how to push from your side if it is a deal you want to do, but the obstacles seem steep. You have also got to be prepared for it to not work out.”
Chen is following the alternatives investment space closely. “Everyone is talking about digital assets. While that is great, I am personally really curious about the recent shift to private markets and what that might mean from an investment perspective.”
Anyone coming into corporate venturing needs to remember to maintain a good relationship with their sector peers, she says. “These are the people you will keep interacting with. It is helpful to have a good relationship, since you might end up sitting on company boards with them. It becomes a good negotiation tactic as well.”
The Rising Stars are early-career corporate venture professionals who are making an outstanding contribution to their teams and the industry.
See the full list of Rising Stars 2026 here.
