Francis Dashuang Zhang

Advanced Investment Manager @ CATL

About

I specialize in architecting global expansion strategies and scaling renewable energy infrastructure from the ground up. Throughout my career I have crossed the intersection of international M&A, cross-border joint ventures, structural finance, international business development, and cross-border policy. My expertise spans across pioneering the Lithium battery industry's first Technology Licensing & Service (LRS) model for multi-billion dollar gigafactories , co-founding flagship USD investment platforms, managing massive project pipelines (>20GW) across Europe, APAC, and the Americas and leading end-to-end commercial negotiations for international joint ventures. I thrive in navigating complex foreign regulatory environments, managing full-lifecycle financial frameworks, and building strategic alliances with global infrastructure funds, OEMs, and sovereign wealth funds.

Country

China

City

Shenzhen

Industry

Renewables & Environment

Skill

伙伴关系管理, 投资管理, 项目管理, 商务谈判, Site Selections, 金融建模, 商业模式开发, 业务开发, 合同谈判, 投资, Python (Programming Language)

Experience

Advanced Investment Manager

CATL

2024-12 - 2026-3 · 1 yr 4 mos

Fujian, China

Fundraising & Platforms: Set up CATL's flagship USD fund and BVI platform; designed complex fund structures (GP-LP, Co-GP) to drive cross-border capital raising. Pipeline Management: Originated 50+ project BESS pipeline (>20GW) across Europe, Japan, and Australia via alliances with global infrastructure funds and local developers. Business Model Innovation: Pioneered the industry's first "Battery-as-a-Service" (BaaS) equity-barter framework. Formulated the LRS model to anchor Ford's $2B Michigan Gigafactory and Tier-1 OEM partnerships. Cross-Border JVs: Led end-to-end commercial negotiations and special financial modeling for a European battery-swapping JV, optimizing asset control and compliance. Transaction Execution: Led full-lifecycle financial analysis (IRR, NPV), authored deep due diligence, and synchronized cross-functional teams for direct Investment Committee (IC) approvals. Gov Relations & Site Selection: Negotiated federal/state investment incentive packages for USMCA gigafactories and secured national-level strategic backing from foreign Prime Ministers and governors.

Investment Manager

CATL

2021-5 - 2024-12 · 3 yrs 8 mos

Ningde

As a professional specializing in international projects, I have a proven track record of developing and building partnerships with top battery manufacturers and automakers, and leading strategic investments in battery energy storage. My expertise spans project management, investment structuring, site selection, and end-to-end contract negotiation, focusing on Northern American electric vehicles and global energy storage opportunities.