Zai Chengfeng (John ZAI) is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of CENTI GROUP. He is deeply engaged in technology incubation, equity investment and cross‑border capital operations, with 10 years of professional experience in VC/PE. He has led investments in multiple China‑Europe overseas projects and addresses M&A and investment‑related challenges for enterprises going global. He is also the Founder and Chairman of Tech Shanghai Advocates, as well as the founder of Cocoon Networks and the Britain‑China Youth Entrepreneurship Association. He has supported more than 500 entrepreneurs, and forged connections with over 200 industrial capital entities, including listed companies and unicorns. He has empowered multiple Fortune Global 500 corporations such as Dassault Systèmes and Thales Group to deliver on their strategic deployment in China, and forged in‑depth partnerships with renowned enterprises including Construction Engineering, Tus‑Holdings and CIMC Group.

He has served for consecutive years as Director and Standing Director of the China Young Entrepreneurs Association. His other key appointments include International Business Programme Mentor at the Mayor of London’s Office and Member of the London Development Committee. He was honoured as a “Top Investor” in the Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech selection. He also holds key positions in multiple youth chambers of commerce and industry associations, and acts as a local talent recruitment ambassador. He has repeatedly served as judge and guest for various international competitions, and undertaken a host of major events for international innovation and entrepreneurship. He facilitated the establishment of Global Tech Advocates China Headquarters in Wuxi, and drove the launch and operation of the Dassault Systèmes (Taicang) Aviation Intelligent Manufacturing Innovation Centre. His personal accolades include Distinguished Alumnus of Shanghai University of Finance and Economics and Excellent Academic Performance Award from the Digital China Co‑creation Programme at Zhejiang University. He has been featured by mainstream media including Bloomberg, Financial Times, China Daily and Yicai, and delivered over 40 keynote speeches at industry summits. He has long been building a bridge for the China‑Europe industrial ecosystem, advancing two‑way alignment of technology projects, capital and markets between China and Europe.