Alumni News |  A shining example of ISB alumni giving back

Tommy Ma has built an impressive career and is a great supporter of the ISB community. Read our interview with him and see how alumni generosity helped make the ISB Alumni Reunion in Chicago possible through an in-kind donation. 

 Tommy Ma is a member of the International School of Beijing’s (ISB’s) Class of 2016. He is an MBA candidate at the University of Chicago, an investor at Eastlink Capital, and an honoree in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list of young entrepreneurs. He worked as a product manager at Microsoft before co-founding iDeal Technology, a platform for people to trade used products and connect with local service providers, promoting sustainable living. 

We were delighted to interview Tommy given some incredible acts of generosity from this high-achieving former ISB student towards the alumni association and our school community. He sponsored our alumni reunion in Chicago on November 8 with an in-kind gift providing the rooftop lounge at his private residence. At the event, he shared his expertise in a fireside chat with fellow alumni on artificial intelligence (AI) and investment. 

Tommy also made a gift to the ISB Annual Fund during the reunion, reflecting his commitment to giving back and supporting the next generation of ISB leaders. 

Tommy has taken on leadership roles and founded companies that are shaping the future of technology and sustainability. At Eastlink Capital, he invests in fast-growing, innovative companies like Databricks and Uber, helping them grow through strategy, fundraising, and recruiting support. Since its founding in 2020, iDeal has grown from five to 50 team members, served over 6,000 customers, and generated US$5.2 million in sales.  

You’ve built an incredible career so far. What experiences have most shaped your path as an entrepreneur and investor? 

For me, the defining thread throughout my career has always been curiosity. As a founder, curiosity is what drives you to constantly question assumptions, uncover real problems, and assemble the right team to solve them. During my time building iDeal Technology, I learned that the hardest part isn’t execution – it’s deciding which problems are worth solving. That clarity only comes when you’re deeply curious about how the world works. 

Now, as an investor, that same mindset allows me to connect with founders on a much deeper level. Having gone through the journey myself – from zero to product, from growth to exit – I can empathize with what founders are experiencing and help them navigate the hard moments. My entrepreneurial background gives me a strong foundation to support early-stage founders not just financially, but strategically and emotionally as well. 

What inspired you to take the leap from the corporate world into entrepreneurship? 

I truly valued my time at Microsoft – I had incredible mentors and learned the discipline of building products that serve hundreds of millions of users. But I eventually felt that the marginal learning curve was flattening, and I wanted to push myself beyond my comfort zone. 

Starting my own company was a leap of faith, but it was also a calling. I wanted to build something from the ground up, make independent decisions, and learn by doing – not just optimizing an existing system. That decision to leave the corporate world and start iDeal Technology completely changed my trajectory and helped me discover my passion for creating and investing in innovation. 

How has your MBA experience at Chicago Booth influenced your approach to leadership and innovation? 

Booth has been transformative. [The university’s] Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation has given me the platform to merge theory with practice – from taking venture capital lab courses, to participating in the New Venture Challenge, to working directly with early-stage startups and funds. The school’s emphasis on data-driven decision making and intellectual curiosity has strengthened how I evaluate ideas and lead teams. 

Beyond the classroom, leading the Greater China Club has been deeply rewarding. We host the annual China Forum, which brings together investors, entrepreneurs, and policymakers from across the world. It’s become a platform to bridge innovation between East and West – something I’m personally passionate about. The community here constantly inspires me to think globally and act entrepreneurially. 

Artificial Intelligence & Investment 

At the ISB alumni reunion on November 8, you took part in a fireside chat to discuss artificial intelligence and investment. How do you see AI transforming the way investors and entrepreneurs make decisions? 

AI is reshaping every layer of the innovation stack – from how we source deals to how we analyze companies. For investors, AI enhances pattern recognition, portfolio management, and due diligence through data-driven insights that were previously impossible to scale. For entrepreneurs, it enables radically faster iteration – from building prototypes to understanding customer needs. 

Ultimately, I believe AI is changing the way we think about leverage – not just financial leverage, but intellectual and computational leverage. Those who know how to apply AI thoughtfully will make exponentially smarter and faster decisions. 

In your own work, how have you leveraged AI to drive growth or innovation? 

At Eastlink Capital, where I currently invest, we focus heavily on the AI infrastructure ecosystem – companies like Modal Labs, MotherDuck, and Mercor AI that power the next generation of AI applications. My work often involves assessing how efficiently teams leverage computing resources, data, and workflow automation to drive scalable results. 

Personally, I use AI tools daily – from analyzing financial models to generating research insights – to accelerate both my investment process and my startup work. AI has become not just a technology, but a mindset shift in how we approach innovation and productivity. 

What ethical or strategic considerations do you believe business leaders should keep in mind as AI continues to evolve? 

AI is incredibly powerful, but power without responsibility can be dangerous. Leaders need to think critically about bias, transparency, and accountability in AI systems. Ethically deploying AI means ensuring that we augment human potential, not replace it – and that the benefits of these technologies are distributed fairly. Strategically, companies should build with both speed and stewardship in mind – balancing innovation with long-term trust. 

ISB Connection & Community 

You’ve remained deeply connected to ISB – from mentoring students at the High School Careers Fair to sponsoring an alumni reunion in Chicago. What motivates you to stay involved with the ISB community? 

ISB has always been more than just a school – it’s a community that shaped who I am. The values of curiosity, integrity, and global mindset that ISB instilled continue to guide me every day. Staying connected feels natural because I want to give back to the same environment that encouraged me to dream big in the first place. Whether it’s mentoring students, sharing career insights, or hosting gatherings abroad, I find great joy in helping the next generation of ISB students find their path.   

How has your ISB network influenced your journey, both professionally and personally? 

The ISB network is one of the most diverse and globally minded communities I’ve been a part of. From classmates who became entrepreneurs to alumni working in venture capital and tech across continents, this network has opened doors and offered support in countless ways. Many of my closest friendships – and even a few business partnerships – trace back to ISB. It’s a lifelong bond that reminds me that global citizenship and empathy are true forms of leadership. 

Philanthropy & Giving Back 

You recently made a generous pledge to ISB – thank you for your support! What inspired your decision to give back at this stage in your career? 

Giving back to ISB is my way of closing the loop. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to learn from amazing mentors and communities along the way, and it feels only right to invest in the next generation of dreamers and builders. 

At every turning point in my career – especially during moments of uncertainty – the ISB community has been there for me. My classmates and fellow alumni went above and beyond: introducing investors, helping me draft my first legal documents, even connecting me with my earliest clients. Without that support, I truly don’t know where I’d be today. 

Even at this early stage in my journey, I believe philanthropy isn’t about scale – it’s about intentionality. Supporting ISB is my way of giving back to the same community that shaped me, and of helping to sustain the environment of exploration, curiosity, and excellence that once inspired me. 

How do you view mentorship, philanthropy, and community engagement as part of your broader philosophy of success? 

To me, true success is multiplicative, not additive – it’s measured by how many others you can empower along the way. Mentorship is how we transfer wisdom forward. Philanthropy is how we express gratitude. And community engagement is how we sustain the ecosystem that enables both. I see these not as separate acts, but as core components of leadership. 

Reflection 

Looking back, what’s one defining moment that taught you the most about leadership or resilience? 

When I was running my startup, there was a moment when our biggest customer pulled out unexpectedly. It could have ended the company. But instead, our team regrouped overnight, pivoted our go-to-market strategy, and found new traction within weeks. That experience taught me that resilience isn’t about never failing – it’s about never losing momentum. Leadership means keeping your team’s spirit intact even when circumstances shift dramatically. 

What’s next for you? Any exciting projects or goals you’re working toward after your MBA? 

After Booth, I plan to continue building my career in venture capital – focusing on AI infrastructure and next-generation computing. I’m launching my VC fund-of-funds, Pegasus, which bridges investors with top U.S. venture funds, helping global investors gain access to cutting-edge innovation. Long term, I hope to build an investment ecosystem that not only generates exceptional returns but also cultivates founders who change the world responsibly.