Female investors rise to top of venture capital companies

After backing star startups, their influence is growing as they help seed tech businesses

The largest venture capital fund ever raised by a woman isn't in Silicon Valley or even the United States. It's in Beijing and is run by a former librarian who keeps such a low profile that she's a mystery in China.

Chen Xiaohong rarely attends industry conferences or events. She hadn't given a media interview in more than a decade until agreeing to break her silence this summer. "I don't like being part of a club," said Chen during a four-hour discussion at her firm's headquarters. "I believe in staying independent, making your own decisions."