Ma Huateng

Ma Huateng, who earned $176 per month developing software for pagers early in his career, co-founded the technology conglomerate Tencent in 1998. He steered the company from a small messaging service into a massive platform dominating gaming, entertainment, and financial services, fundamentally altering the landscape of the Chinese mobile internet and digital communication.

Founding Tencent and the Rise of QQ

Born in 1971 in Chaoyang, Shantou, Ma Huateng graduated from Shenzhen University in 1993 with a degree in computer science. His early professional experience included roles at China Motion Telecom Development and Shenzhen Runxun Communications. In 1998, he co-founded Tencent with four classmates. The company initially gained traction with OICQ, an instant messaging software launched in 1999. Following a trademark arbitration case involving AOL, he rebranded the platform to QQ in 2000. To sustain operations, Ma secured early venture capital from IDC and Pacific Century CyberWorks.

THE FREE TEST

How high is yours?

Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.

Take the IQ test →

Business Expansion and WeChat

By 2004, Tencent held 74 percent of the Chinese instant messaging market, leading to an initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that raised $200 million. Ma diversified the company's portfolio into online games, e-commerce, and web portals. In 2011, Tencent launched WeChat, which grew into a global messaging platform. His strategy also included the 2005 launch of the C2C platform Paipai.com and a 2015 initiative to establish an internet hospital in Wuzhen for long-distance medical services.

Political and Public Roles

Ma Huateng has maintained an active role in political and professional circles, serving as a deputy to the 12th National People's Congress and the 5th Shenzhen Municipal People's Congress. He has publicly supported strict online management, arguing that technology companies must follow defined criteria to ensure information security. In 2018, he authored 'China on Fingertips,' a book detailing China's social transformation into a mobile internet power.

Philanthropy and Wealth

Ma maintains an 8 percent stake in Tencent Holdings, which accounts for the majority of his net worth. His philanthropy includes the Ma Huateng Global Foundation, to which he transferred $2.3 billion in Tencent shares in 2016. Outside of his professional activities, he owns property in Hong Kong, including a 1,820 square-meter residence, and an art collection valued at $150 million.