Listen on the go! A daily podcast of Wall Street Breakfast will be available by 8:00 a.m. on Seeking Alpha, iTunes, Spotify.matejmo/iStock via Getty Images Good morning! Here is the latest in trending on Seeking Alpha:'Hard technology': The world's second-largest economy has launched three venture capital funds to invest in what it calls "hard technology" areas, Reuters reported, citing state broadcaster CCTV.Asia rebounds: Markets in the region are ending the week on a positive note, including China (SHCO ...

Core Insights - The year 2025 is anticipated to be a "new beginning" for the equity investment industry, marking a critical point in structural recovery driven by policy benefits and technological breakthroughs [1] - Chinese hard technology companies are rapidly reshaping their global competitiveness and asset value, becoming the core driving force behind the recovery of the primary market [1] - The venture capital industry has seen a significant rebound in activity since the beginning of the year, with new opportunities emerging in the M&A market, particularly in cutting-edge sectors like artificial intelligence, robotics, and low-altitude economy [1] - Investment institutions face a profound restructuring of the industrial environment and competitive landscape, necessitating the identification of new development paradigms and clearer investment strategies [1] Evaluation Framework - The 2025 Investment Institution Soft Power Ranking has commenced, focusing on value-creating entities capable of continuous evolution within the new economic cycle [3] - The evaluation framework has been updated to emphasize four key dimensions: 1. Value Creation: Assessing the diligence, risk management, and past performance of investment institutions [4] 2. Market Impact: Evaluating the attention, influence, and appeal of investment institutions in the market [5] 3. Service Empowerment: Focusing on the service and empowerment capabilities of institutions towards LPs and portfolio companies [5] 4. Social Responsibility: Evaluating the sustainable development capabilities of institutions in relation to environmental and social impacts [5] Ranking Process - The ranking process includes a questionnaire survey from June 3 to July 31, followed by evaluation in August, with the final rankings to be announced in early September [6] Award Categories - The awards will include various categories such as: - Top 30 City-level Mother Funds - Top 30 County-level Mother Funds - Top 20 Financial Institutions - Top 30 Industry LPs - Top 20 Market-oriented LPs - Top 10 Family Offices - Top 20 Public Foundations [9] Sector-Specific Rankings - The ranking will also feature sector-specific evaluations, including: - Top 20 in AI and Digital Economy - Top 20 in Hard Technology - Top 20 in Healthcare - Top 20 in Intelligent Manufacturing - Top 20 in New Economy [11]