Lulu Dai

Chengdu/Shenzhen, China
Senior Real Estate Development Planner, Industrial Real Estate Operation Manager, Start-up Incubator & Investor

Born and raised in Chengdu, China’s historic cultural city with over 2000 years of legacy, and refined through professional pursuits in Shenzhen, China’s youngest megacity and dynamic economic hub, Lulu maintained her deep interest in the complex relationship between cities and people.

After graduating with an urban planning degree, Lulu joined China’s most prominent real estate consulting firm and contributed to over 30 real estate development projects by conducting feasibility studies, financial analysis and development plans. When She had gained expertise in residential development, she decided to venture out into the innovative industrial real estate sector to gain hands-on experience and began incubating start-ups. In 2020, Lulu set up one of Shenzhen’s leading industrial incubators, Shenzhen Bay × IDG Asia Industrial Incubator.

Prior to joining MIT, Lulu co-founded a consulting and investment firm focused on transforming inefficiently used industrial and commercial land into affordable residential units. Lulu aims to equip herself with cutting-edge knowledge and up-to-date information in real estate development, low-carbon construction and entrepreneurship with a global perspective at MIT CRE. Synthesizing her experience in Shenzhen, the fastest-growing city globally over the past 20 years, with the expertise of the CRE and the U.S.’s advanced affordable housing system, Lulu aims to create sustainable solutions to the areas facing the affordable housing crisis and make a meaningful impact on the lives of those who need it most.

Lulu finds playing tennis and arranging flowers fill her with vitality and joyful serenity. In her free time, she enjoys participating in community charity events