The launch of Xiaomi's first electric vehicle, the SU7, in March 2024 marked a significant shift in the company's trajectory, attracting over 100,000 pre-orders. Orchestrated by founder Lei Jun, the automotive expansion follows decades of growth in consumer electronics, software, and capital investment that have firmly established his influence within the global technology sector.
Academic and Early Career Foundations
Born in Xiantao in 1969, Lei Jun displayed a sustained interest in electronics during his youth. He eventually pursued a degree at Wuhan University, graduating in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. His professional path began at Kingsoft in 1992, where he worked as an engineer before ascending to the position of chief executive officer in 1998, holding that leadership role until 2011.
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Beyond his tenure at Kingsoft, Lei pursued diverse ventures in online commerce and investment. In 2000, he founded the retailing platform joyo.com, which was acquired by Amazon in 2004 for 75 million USD. He later expanded his reach by chairing UCWeb and co-founding the investment firm Shunwei Capital in 2011, providing support to social networking, mobile, and e-commerce enterprises.
Scaling Xiaomi
Lei established Xiaomi in 2010 alongside partners including Lin Bin. The company achieved rapid growth, entering the Fortune Global 500 in 2019. Its 2018 initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange utilized a weighted voting rights structure, with Lei personally ringing the copper gong. By 2020, the firm pivoted toward the high-end smartphone segment.
Political and Social Contributions
Lei has served as a deputy to the National People's Congress since 2013, representing Guangdong and later Beijing. His philanthropic efforts are significant, including a 1.3 billion yuan donation to Wuhan University in 2023. Previously, he contributed over 2.2 billion USD worth of Xiaomi shares to charity in 2021, building upon earlier support for school renovations and disaster relief.
Fast facts
- Born: 1969, Xiantao
- Education: Wuhan University
- Primary Enterprise: Xiaomi
- Previous Employment: Kingsoft
- Political Office: National People's Congress Deputy
- Net Worth: 42.6 billion USD as of May 2025
Questions readers ask
What is the primary industry focus for Lei Jun?
He is active in engineering, technology, and entrepreneurship, focusing on consumer electronics, software, and, since 2021, smart electric vehicles.
What is his connection to Wuhan University?
He is an alumnus of the university and has provided substantial philanthropic support, including a 1.3 billion yuan donation in 2023.
Achievements
- Notable work: Xiaomi
- Affiliated with Kingsoft and Xiaomi
- Educated at Wuhan University
- Worked as entrepreneur, chief executive officer and engineer
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