Alan Du
Partner
M12 - Microsoft's Venture Fund
M12 partner focused on AI applications, AI security, fintech, and enterprise software.
Bio
Professional summary
James Wu is a Partner at M12 based in San Francisco. M12 says he invests in business and infrastructure software with a focus on DevOps, data science, fintech, and cybersecurity. He sourced and led M12’s investment in Arkose Labs and co-led investments in Pachyderm and SuperAwesome, which was acquired by Epic Games. He has also contributed to investments in Applied Intuition, Bakkt, Go1, Incorta, Innovaccer, Syntiant, and Skedulo, and manages growth-stage investments in existing portfolio companies. Before M12, he was an investor at FTV Capital and began his career in Jefferies’ TMT group.
Investment focus
Stage, sector, and overall fit
Stage
Early stageGrowth stage
Sector
Business softwareInfrastructure softwareDevOpsData scienceFintechCybersecurity
Thesis
Business and infrastructure softwareDevOps, data science, fintech, and cybersecurityOpen source software
Notable companies
Selected portfolio companies the partner has backed
Arkose LabsPachydermSuperAwesomeApplied IntuitionBakktGo1IncortaInnovaccerSyntiantSkeduloTruepic
How to approach
Framing and angles for outreach
Pitch framing
Lead with a technical enterprise-software thesis in infrastructure, security, data, fintech, or DevOps, and explain how Microsoft’s ecosystem can accelerate distribution or product development.
Personalization hooks
- 1Reference his role leading M12’s Arkose Labs investment and board service.
- 2For open-source infrastructure companies, mention Pachyderm as M12’s first open-source software investment.
- 3For Taiwan-linked founders, reference his mentoring role at 10x Innovation Lab.
Recent signals
What the partner has said or done recently
M12’s current site lists April and March 2026 news items under James Wu’s profile, including startup, advanced chipmaking, and FedRAMP-related portfolio news.
M12’s 2026 firm positioning emphasizes early-stage technology companies disrupting the enterprise, with focus areas including AI apps, security for AI, AI cloud infrastructure, AI data operations and models, and deep tech systems.
Background
Career, education, and skills
Career history
- M12Partner
- FTV CapitalInvestor
- JefferiesInvestment Banking Analyst, TMT Group
Education
- UCLABA, Economics and Accounting
Skills
Enterprise software investingInfrastructure software investingDevOpsData scienceFintechCybersecurityOpen source softwareGrowth investments
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