Oxford Alumna · Forbes Under 30 · UK Young Academy · Co-Founder Quantum Dice

Why is the third culture important?

Hi, I'm your host on Low to Grow, Annie. A third culture kid*, four countries before the age of ten, turned human-centric entrepreneur.

" After a year of interviews, I realised that all of my guests have migration somewhere in their life path, whether their own, or the story of their parents. " — Annie Wenmiao Yu

* Third Culture Kids are those who grew up in more than one culture or country before turning 18.

Annie Wenmiao Yu Connect with me on LinkedIn

My Story

What is the origin of Low to Grow?

I read Chemistry at Balliol College, University of Oxford. In 2019 and in my last term, I co-founded Quantum Dice through the Oxford Student Entrepreneurs Programme. It is now an established, venture capital backed spinout enhancing encryption and compute with photonics technology. That work has taken me from the Forbes Under 30 list to UNESCO in Paris and the UK House of Lords.

But the part I don't always lead with is this: my founder journey went hand in hand with my own mental health awakening. For me, entrepreneurship has been an accelerated path to self-discovery, and I got through the hardest moments the way most of us do, by talking honestly to the people around me, at every stage of life. Realising that these conversations could be helpful to other young professionals is why I started the Low to Grow podcast.

After a year of interviews, I noticed something I couldn't unsee: every single one of my guests has migration somewhere in their life path, whether their own, or their parents'. Low to Grow is a podcast for the third culture young professional who has lived between worlds and wants a soundtrack as they explore the intersection of their identity, career, and relationships.

A few moments along the way

Annie Wenmiao Yu as a young girl roller blading in a red dress
Where it began: a third culture childhood across four countries
Annie Wenmiao Yu graduating from Oxford University in front of the Radcliffe Camera
Graduating from Oxford, in front of the Radcliffe Camera
Annie Wenmiao Yu at the Forbes Under 30 conference in Botswana
Forbes Under 30 conference, Botswana
Annie Wenmiao Yu at UNESCO Paris for the opening of the UN International Year of Quantum 2025
UNESCO Paris, opening the UN International Year of Quantum 2025
Annie Wenmiao Yu at the House of Lords for the launch of the first State of Asian Funding Report
House of Lords, launching the first State of Asian Funding Report
Annie Wenmiao Yu speaking at the Warsaw Security Forum 2024 with the Google for Startups Cybersecurity Programme
Speaking at the Warsaw Security Forum, Google for Startups

The Podcast

Turning lows into growth

Low to Grow is my conversation with people who have turned their lowest moments into reasons for self-growth. My guests range from Forbes Under 30 founders and Times 100 Best Invention engineers, to award-winning authors and journalists. Every episode explores the intersection of identity, career and mental health, through a third culture lens. If you have ever felt that you belong everywhere and nowhere at once, this one is for you.

It comes with a fortnightly newsletter, LIFT with Low to Grow, on mental resilience for the quietly ambitious. Subscribe now!

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Low to Grow — Spotify 2025 Wrapped: Fan Fave, Instant Hit Show, Most Shared Show

Frequently asked

About Annie & Low to Grow

What is the Low to Grow podcast?

Low to Grow is a podcast for ambitious third culture young professionals navigating identity, career and mental health. Hosted by Annie Wenmiao Yu — Oxford alumna, Forbes Under 30 founder and third culture kid — each episode is a candid conversation with guests who have migration somewhere in their life path, whether their own or their parents'. Guests range from Forbes Under 30 founders and Times 100 Best Invention engineers to award-winning authors and journalists.

Who is Annie Wenmiao Yu?

Annie Wenmiao Yu is the host of Low to Grow and a Forbes Under 30 (Europe, 2023) technology founder. A third culture kid who grew up across four countries, she studied Chemistry at Balliol College, University of Oxford, and co-founded Oxford spin-out Quantum Dice in 2019. She is a Royal Academy of Engineering Enterprise Fellow and a member of the UK Young Academy.

Who is the Low to Grow podcast for?

Low to Grow is made for the ambitious third culture young professional — someone who has lived between worlds and is navigating the intersection of identity, career and relationships. If you have ever felt you belong everywhere and nowhere at once, this podcast is for you. Guests include Forbes Under 30 founders, scientists, authors and journalists, all with migration somewhere in their story.

What topics does Low to Grow cover?

Every episode of Low to Grow sits at the intersection of identity, career and relationships, through a third-culture lens. Topics include identity and belonging, non-linear paths, career pivots, entrepreneurship, mental health and burnout, resilience, community building, and navigating relationships across cultures. Check out the Low to Grow homepage for the top 10 themes covered in the podcast so far!

Where can I listen to Low to Grow?

Low to Grow is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube. It was recognised by Spotify in 2025 as a Fan Favourite, Instant Hit Show and Most Shared Show.