Lei Jun

	Personal details
Born	1969/12/16 (age 55); Xiantao, Hubei, China
Nationality	Chinese
Education	Wuhan University (BS, Computer Science, 1991)
Spouse	Zhang Tong (m. 1996)
Children	2
	Career details
Occupation	Entrepreneur; Investor; Business executive;
Title	Founder, Chairman and CEO of Xiaomi Corporation
Term	2010–present
Predecessor	Position established
Net worth	Template:Increase US$30.2 billion (October 2025, Forbes)
Board member of	Xiaomi Corporation (Chairman); YY Inc.; Cheetah Mobile; Kingsoft;
Website	leijun.xiaomi.com
Signature	File:Lei Jun signature.jpg

Lei Jun (Template:Zh; born December 16, 1969) is a Chinese billionaire entrepreneur, angel investor, and business executive who is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Xiaomi, one of the world's largest smartphone manufacturers and consumer electronics companies. Known as the "Steve Jobs of China," Lei transformed Xiaomi from a startup in 2010 into a global technology powerhouse with annual revenues exceeding $40 billion and a presence in over 100 markets worldwide.

Before founding Xiaomi, Lei spent 16 years at Kingsoft, serving as CEO from 1998 to 2007, where he led the company through its successful IPO in Hong Kong. As one of China's most prolific angel investors, he has invested in over 400 companies including YY Inc., UCWeb, and numerous other successful Chinese technology ventures. Lei is credited with pioneering the online-first smartphone sales model in China and revolutionizing the consumer electronics industry with Xiaomi's "hardware + internet services" business model.

With a net worth exceeding $30 billion as of 2025, Lei ranks among the wealthiest individuals in China and has been named one of the world's most influential business leaders by Time, Forbes, and Fortune magazines.

Early life and education

Lei Jun was born on December 16, 1969, in Xiantao, a small city in Hubei Province, China, during the later years of the Cultural Revolution. He grew up in a modest working-class family; his father was a teacher and his mother worked in a local factory. Despite limited resources, Lei's parents emphasized education and encouraged his early interest in technology and mathematics.

As a teenager in the mid-1980s, Lei became fascinated with computers after reading Fire in the Valley: The Making of the Personal Computer, a book about the early days of Silicon Valley. The biography of Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak building Apple in a garage deeply influenced Lei's entrepreneurial aspirations. He later recalled, "I read that book when I was 18, and it ignited my dream to start my own technology company."

In 1987, Lei was admitted to Wuhan University, one of China's most prestigious institutions, where he majored in computer science. At Wuhan, Lei distinguished himself as an exceptional student, completing the standard four-year curriculum in just two years while achieving top grades. During his time at university, he wrote an antivirus program called "Immune 90" and developed assembly language skills that would serve him throughout his career.

Lei graduated from Wuhan University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. In a 2020 commencement speech at his alma mater, Lei credited his university years with teaching him "not just technical skills, but the courage to dream big and the perseverance to overcome any obstacle."

Career

Early career at Kingsoft (1992–2007)

Upon graduation in 1991, Lei briefly worked at a state-owned enterprise before joining Kingsoft, then a small Beijing-based software company, in January 1992 as the sixth employee and one of its first engineers. At Kingsoft, Lei worked on developing WPS Office, a Chinese alternative to Microsoft Office that would become one of China's most successful software products.

Lei quickly rose through the ranks at Kingsoft, demonstrating both technical expertise and business acumen. He became general manager in 1994 at age 25 and was appointed CEO in 1998 at just 29 years old. Under Lei's leadership, Kingsoft expanded from productivity software into security software, online games, and mobile applications.

Despite facing intense competition from Microsoft and challenges in China's software piracy environment, Lei led Kingsoft through multiple pivots and business model innovations. He pioneered the transition from packaged software sales to subscription models and diversified the company's revenue streams through online gaming and advertising.

One of Lei's most significant achievements at Kingsoft was successfully taking the company public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in October 2007, raising HK$6.26 billion (approximately US$800 million). The IPO validated Lei's 16-year commitment to building Kingsoft into a viable technology company despite numerous near-bankruptcies along the way.

Lei stepped down as Kingsoft CEO in December 2007, shortly after the IPO, though he remained on the board of directors. He later explained his departure: "I had given Kingsoft 16 years of my life. I was exhausted and needed to step back to reflect on what I truly wanted to accomplish."

Angel investing period (2007–2010)

After leaving Kingsoft's day-to-day operations, Lei became one of China's most active angel investors, investing in over 20 companies between 2007 and 2010. His investments included UCWeb (a mobile browser later acquired by Alibaba), YY Inc. (a live streaming platform), Vancl (an e-commerce fashion retailer), and Lakala (a mobile payment company).

This period proved formative for Lei's understanding of mobile internet trends and consumer behavior. Through his investments and mentorship of young entrepreneurs, Lei identified what he believed was a massive opportunity: China's mobile internet revolution was creating demand for high-quality, affordable smartphones that could bring hundreds of millions of Chinese consumers online.

Lei later described this period as "my MBA at Stanford," referring to how his involvement with multiple startups across different sectors prepared him to launch Xiaomi. His investment in UCWeb was particularly influential, exposing him to the explosive growth of mobile internet usage in China.

During this time, Lei also served as chairman of UCWeb and YY Inc., gaining additional experience in company governance and strategic planning that would prove valuable when founding Xiaomi.

Founding Xiaomi (2010)

On April 6, 2010, Lei co-founded Xiaomi Inc. with seven other partners, including Lin Bin (former VP of Engineering at Google China), Zhou Guangping (former Beijing Motorola R&D Director), and Liu De (former Beijing Kingsoft Industrial Design Director). The founding team brought together expertise from Google, Microsoft, Motorola, and other leading technology companies.

Lei's vision for Xiaomi was revolutionary for its time: create high-quality smartphones with cutting-edge specifications and sell them online at near-cost prices, earning profits primarily from internet services and accessories. This approach challenged the traditional retail-heavy distribution model used by established phone makers and promised to eliminate the markup typically added by distributors and retailers.

The company started with just 13 employees working in a small office in Beijing's Zhongguancun technology district. Lei mortgaged his home and invested his own money alongside venture capital funding to get Xiaomi off the ground. In August 2010, Xiaomi released MIUI, a customized Android-based operating system, as its first product, building a community of enthusiasts before launching any hardware.

Xiaomi's first smartphone, the Mi 1, launched in August 2011 with a price of just 1,999 yuan (approximately $310), roughly half the price of comparable phones from Apple and Samsung. The phone featured a 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 8-megapixel camera, and 4-inch display—specifications that matched or exceeded flagship phones from established brands. The Mi 1 sold out within hours of becoming available online.

Building a global technology giant (2011–present)

Under Lei's leadership, Xiaomi achieved unprecedented growth, becoming the world's third-largest smartphone manufacturer by 2014, just four years after its founding. The company pioneered the "flash sale" model in China, creating artificial scarcity and buzz around product launches that helped build a devoted fan community known as "Mi Fans."

Lei personally took an active role in product development, marketing, and community engagement, often presenting at product launches in a black shirt and jeans ensemble reminiscent of Steve Jobs. His hands-on approach and accessibility to customers through social media helped build Xiaomi's brand as a user-centric company that listened to feedback and rapidly iterated on products.

By 2014, Xiaomi was valued at $46 billion following a funding round, making it one of the world's most valuable private technology companies. However, the company faced challenges in 2015-2016 when sales declined due to increased competition, supply chain issues, and difficulties expanding internationally.

Lei responded by restructuring Xiaomi's operations, investing heavily in offline retail channels, improving supply chain management, and refocusing on product quality and innovation. These efforts paid off as Xiaomi returned to growth in 2017 and expanded into new markets including India, where it became the top smartphone brand by 2018.

Xiaomi IPO and recent years (2018–present)

On July 9, 2018, Lei took Xiaomi public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in one of the world's largest technology IPOs, raising approximately $4.7 billion at a valuation of $54 billion. At the time of the IPO, Lei wrote an open letter to users promising that Xiaomi would cap hardware profit margins at 5% indefinitely, demonstrating the company's commitment to its "honest pricing" philosophy.

Following the IPO, Lei led Xiaomi's transformation from a smartphone-focused company into a comprehensive Internet of Things (IoT) and lifestyle products ecosystem. Under his direction, Xiaomi has invested in and launched hundreds of products including smart home devices, wearables, electric scooters, luggage, and even electric vehicles. The company's AIoT platform has connected over 600 million devices worldwide as of 2024, making it one of the world's largest consumer IoT platforms.

In 2021, Lei announced Xiaomi's entry into the electric vehicle market, committing $10 billion over the next decade to develop smart electric cars. Lei stated this would be his "last major startup project" and pledged to personally oversee the initiative. The first Xiaomi EV is scheduled to launch in 2024, with Lei personally test-driving prototypes and sharing updates on social media.

Under Lei's continued leadership, Xiaomi has expanded to over 100 markets worldwide, opened thousands of retail stores globally, and diversified revenue streams across hardware, internet services, and IoT products. As of 2024, Xiaomi ranks among the top five smartphone manufacturers globally with annual revenues exceeding $40 billion.

Business philosophy and management style

Lei Jun's business philosophy centers on several core principles that have guided Xiaomi's development:

Focus, Perseverance, and Perfection – Lei coined the term "专注、极致、口碑、快" (Focus, Extreme, Word-of-mouth, Fast) to describe Xiaomi's approach: focus on a small number of high-quality products, pursue perfection in execution, rely on word-of-mouth rather than advertising, and move quickly to capitalize on opportunities.

User-centric innovation – Lei insists that Xiaomi should "make friends with users" rather than treating them as customers. This philosophy manifests in Xiaomi's extensive beta testing programs, user forums where customers can submit feature requests, and Lei's personal engagement with users on Chinese social media platform Weibo, where he has over 25 million followers.

Internet thinking – Lei advocates applying internet principles (rapid iteration, data-driven decisions, network effects) to hardware manufacturing. This "internet + hardware" model differentiates Xiaomi from traditional electronics manufacturers and has been widely studied by business schools.

Work-life integration – Despite Xiaomi's intense work culture, Lei promotes what he calls "work-life integration" rather than work-life balance, arguing that for entrepreneurs and passionate employees, work and life are intertwined rather than competing priorities.

Lei is known for his demanding management style, with reports of working 12-16 hour days and expecting similar commitment from senior executives. However, he is also described by colleagues as approachable, detail-oriented, and willing to listen to opposing viewpoints. Lei reportedly reviews every major product decision and marketing campaign personally.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Lei Jun married Zhang Tong (张彤) around 1997, during his time at Kingsoft. Zhang was working in the technology sector when they met through mutual friends at an industry event in Beijing. According to interviews, Lei was initially too focused on work to pursue a relationship, but Zhang was patient and understanding of his demanding career. They bonded over shared interests in technology, literature, and classical Chinese poetry.

The couple met during the mid-1990s when China's technology industry was still in its infancy. Zhang later recalled that Lei was "completely consumed by his work at Kingsoft, often working until 3 or 4 in the morning." She was attracted to his passion and determination, saying "I saw someone who believed he could build something meaningful, even when others doubted him."

They married in a small private ceremony attended by close friends and family. Zhang has largely stayed out of the public eye throughout Lei's career, preferring to maintain privacy while supporting his entrepreneurial endeavors. The couple has two children, about whom Lei rarely speaks publicly to protect their privacy.

In a rare 2019 interview about his personal life, Lei credited Zhang with providing emotional support during Xiaomi's difficult period in 2015-2016 when the company's growth stalled: "When I came home exhausted and doubting whether we could turn things around, she reminded me that I had overcome bigger challenges at Kingsoft. Her confidence in me was unwavering."

Despite his wealth, Lei is known for maintaining a relatively modest lifestyle. He lives in Beijing and is rarely seen at high-society events, preferring to spend free time with family or reading. He is an avid reader of history and biographies of business leaders, and has stated that he reads at least 50 books per year.

Philanthropy and interests

Lei is deeply committed to his alma mater, Wuhan University, having donated over $14 million to the university since 2016. In 2020, he donated an additional 1.3 billion yuan (approximately $200 million) to establish the Wuhan University Hongyi Building and support computer science education and research.

Beyond education, Lei has supported disaster relief efforts in China, including donations following the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in Wuhan (his home province of Hubei). Xiaomi donated masks, medical equipment, and cash to support frontline healthcare workers during the crisis.

Lei's interests outside of business include:

Chinese poetry and calligraphy – Lei is a student of classical Chinese literature and practices calligraphy as a form of meditation
Martial arts films – Lei is a fan of Hong Kong action cinema and has stated that watching these films helps him relax
Running – Lei took up running in his 40s and has completed several marathons, viewing it as both physical exercise and mental discipline

Public image

Lei is widely known in China as "雷布斯" (Lei Bu Si), a nickname combining his surname with "布斯" (the Chinese transliteration of "Jobs"), reflecting frequent comparisons to Steve Jobs. Lei has embraced this comparison while also emphasizing Xiaomi's unique Chinese identity and business model.

He is regarded as one of China's most respected entrepreneurs, known for his humility, persistence, and long-term thinking. Unlike some Chinese tech billionaires who maintain low profiles, Lei is relatively accessible, regularly posting on social media, giving interviews, and engaging with Xiaomi's community of fans.

Lei has been recognized with numerous honors including:

Time 100 Most Influential People (2014)
Forbes Asia Businessman of the Year (2014)
Fortune Businessperson of the Year (2019)
Chinese Business Leader of the Decade by CCTV (2020)

Controversies and criticism

Patent infringement accusations

Throughout Xiaomi's history, the company has faced numerous patent infringement lawsuits, particularly during its international expansion. In 2014, telecom equipment maker Ericsson sued Xiaomi in India for patent infringement related to wireless technology standards, temporarily blocking sales of Xiaomi phones in India. The dispute was settled in 2015 with Xiaomi agreeing to license Ericsson's patents.

Critics have accused Xiaomi of copying designs and features from Apple and other manufacturers, particularly in its early years. The Mi Pad tablet (2014) drew comparisons to the iPad, while early MIUI interface designs closely resembled iOS. Lei has defended Xiaomi's approach, arguing that all companies learn from competitors and that Xiaomi has developed its own innovations while iterating on existing concepts.

In 2021, Xiaomi settled a patent lawsuit with InterDigital, a company that licenses wireless technology patents, paying an undisclosed sum to resolve claims covering 4G and 5G technologies. Such patent disputes are common in the smartphone industry, but critics argue Xiaomi has been particularly vulnerable due to its rapid growth and initial focus on low-cost devices.

Labor practices and "996" work culture

Lei and Xiaomi have faced criticism for promoting an intense work culture, particularly the controversial "996" schedule (9 am to 9 pm, six days a week) common in Chinese tech companies. In 2019, when Chinese tech workers organized online protests against 996 work hours, Lei defended the practice, stating "If you don't work 996 when you're young, when will you?" The comments sparked backlash from labor advocates and young workers.

Lei later clarified his comments, stating that he was sharing his personal work ethic rather than mandating specific hours for employees. However, reports from Xiaomi employees suggest that long working hours remain common, particularly in product development and marketing teams ahead of major launches.

Critics argue that Lei's personal example—working late nights and weekends throughout his career—sets unrealistic expectations for employees. Labor rights advocates have called on Lei and other Chinese tech leaders to prioritize work-life balance and comply with China's labor laws, which nominally limit work to 40 hours per week.

U.S. sanctions and removal from blacklist

In January 2021, during the final days of the Trump administration, the U.S. Department of Defense designated Xiaomi as a "Communist Chinese Military Company," subjecting it to an investment ban for American investors. The designation caused Xiaomi's stock to plummet and threatened its access to American capital markets.

Lei vigorously contested the designation, with Xiaomi filing a lawsuit in U.S. federal court arguing that the company was not owned, controlled, or affiliated with the Chinese military. Lei stated publicly, "Xiaomi is a commercial company that puts users first. We have never engaged in any activities that threaten U.S. national security."

In May 2021, a U.S. federal judge granted a preliminary injunction blocking the investment ban, and the U.S. government subsequently agreed to remove Xiaomi from the blacklist. The episode highlighted the geopolitical tensions affecting Chinese tech companies seeking to operate globally. While Lei successfully defended Xiaomi, the controversy raised concerns about the company's vulnerability to U.S.-China relations.

Data privacy concerns

In 2020, cybersecurity researchers reported that Xiaomi phones were collecting users' browsing data, including visited websites and search queries, even in incognito mode, and sending this data to servers in China and Singapore. The revelations raised privacy concerns, particularly among international users.

Lei responded by promising to give users more transparency and control over data collection, and Xiaomi released software updates allowing users to opt out of browser data collection. The company stated that the data collection was for aggregated analytics rather than individual tracking, but privacy advocates argued the data collection was excessive and insufficiently disclosed to users.

The controversy highlighted broader concerns about Chinese tech companies' data practices and their obligations under Chinese law, which requires companies to provide data to government authorities upon request. Lei has stated that Xiaomi complies with local data protection laws in every market it operates in, including GDPR in Europe, but some governments remain skeptical.

Allegations of copying and lack of innovation

Throughout Xiaomi's growth, critics have accused the company of prioritizing imitation over innovation, particularly in its early years. Beyond hardware designs resembling Apple products, Xiaomi's marketing style, product launch events, and even Lei's presentation style have been compared to Apple's approach.

Lei has addressed these criticisms multiple times, arguing that "good design is universal" and that Xiaomi's focus on user experience naturally leads to design choices similar to other user-friendly products. He points to Xiaomi's investments in R&D, which have grown from $1.4 billion in 2018 to over $2.4 billion in 2023, as evidence of the company's commitment to innovation.

In recent years, Xiaomi has increased its patent filings and technological innovations, particularly in fast-charging technology, camera systems, and foldable phone designs. The company's 200W fast charging technology (2023) and liquid lens camera technology (2021) represent genuine innovations. However, the perception of Xiaomi as primarily an imitator persists among some critics, particularly in markets outside China.

Recognition and honors

Lei Jun has received numerous awards and recognition throughout his career:

Time 100 Most Influential People (2014)
Forbes Asia Businessman of the Year (2014)
Fortune Businessperson of the Year (2019, 2021)
Chinese Business Leader of the Decade, CCTV Economic Figures Award (2020)
Asia House Asian Business Leader Award (2017)
CNBC Asia Business Leader Award (2015)
Honorary Doctorate, Wuhan University (2020)

In 2020, Xiaomi was named to the Fortune Global 500 for the first time, ranking #422, a milestone Lei described as "validation that Xiaomi's unique business model can compete with century-old global corporations."

References

External links

Lei Jun's personal website (Chinese)
Xiaomi official website
Lei Jun's Weibo (Chinese social media profile)

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