How Did Lei Jun Make His Money?

Lei Jun’s Profile Summary

Company	Xiaomi Corporation
Position	Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Xiaomi Corporation. He plays a key role in the company's strategic direction and has been instrumental in expanding Xiaomi’s business globally.
Source of wealth	Founding Xiaomi Corporation, investment income from Shunwei Capital, early investments in tech companies like UCWeb and YY
Also known as	Lei Jun is also known as an investor, philanthropist, and mentor to startups.
Age	55
Education	Wuhan University – Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science
Citizenship	Chinese
Residence	Beijing, China
Family	Lei Jun is married to Zhang Tong and they have two children
Website, Social Media	https://www.mi.com/

Lei Jun’s biography

Lei Jun was born on December 16, 1969, in Hubei, China. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Wuhan University in 1991. Lei started his career at Kingsoft, a software company, where he eventually became the CEO. After stepping down in 2007 due to health reasons, he founded Xiaomi in 2010, which quickly rose to prominence by offering affordable smartphones with high-end features. Lei Jun's leadership helped Xiaomi disrupt the global smartphone market, positioning the company as a strong competitor to industry giants like Apple and Samsung. Apart from Xiaomi, Lei co-founded Shunwei Capital, an investment firm focused on technology startups. Throughout his career, Lei Jun has received numerous accolades, including being named Businessman of the Year by Forbes in 2014. Under his leadership, Xiaomi went public in 2018, raising $3 billion in its IPO. He is also known for his philanthropy, having donated significant sums to educational institutions, including a record $182 million donation to Wuhan University

How did Lei Jun make money?
Lei Jun, the Chinese billionaire and founder of Xiaomi, has become one of the key figures in the tech industry. His entrepreneurial journey began in 1992 when he joined Kingsoft, a leading Chinese software company. Under his leadership, Kingsoft successfully went public in 2007, which brought Lei significant wealth and recognition in business circles.

In 2010, Lei founded Xiaomi, focusing on producing high-quality and affordable smartphones. The company quickly gained popularity due to its innovative approach to product development and aggressive pricing policy. Xiaomi offered devices that combined high performance with an affordable price, which allowed it to enter developing countries.

A key stage in the development of Xiaomi was the expansion of its ecosystem. The company began to produce not only smartphones, but also a wide range of smart devices, including TVs, fitness trackers, smart home systems and accessories. Xiaomi's main source of income remains electronics sales, which bring the company more than $ 50 billion per year.

Lei Jun's net worth is estimated at over $10 billion. The bulk of his wealth is his stake in Xiaomi, which remains one of the largest electronics manufacturers in the world and continues to actively expand its presence in international markets.
What is Lei Jun net worth?

As of 2025, Lei Jun’s net worth is estimated to be $42.6B.

What is Lei Jun also known as?

Lei Jun has gained prominence as an investor through his co-founding of Shunwei Capital in 2011. Shunwei Capital invests in sectors like e-commerce, social networking, and mobile technologies, helping to foster innovation across multiple industries. Lei is also a philanthropist, having donated billions of dollars, particularly to his alma mater, Wuhan University. He supports education and technological advancement in China. Additionally, Lei serves as a mentor to many young entrepreneurs and startups, offering guidance on innovation and business strategy, leveraging his extensive experience in the tech industry

Prominent achievements of Lei Jun

Lei Jun has received numerous accolades, including being named Forbes Businessman of the Year in 2014 and making the Time 100 list in 2015. He was recognized as an "Outstanding Builder of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics" in 2019. Under his leadership, Xiaomi became a global powerhouse, with its 2018 IPO raising around $3 billion

What are Lei Jun’s key insights?

Lei Jun's business philosophy centers on innovation, simplicity, and user experience. He emphasizes creating products that offer excellent value for money, pushing the boundaries of technology while keeping the consumer at the forefront. He believes in learning from past failures, staying adaptable to market changes, and fostering a culture of relentless pursuit of excellence. Lei also strongly advocates for environmental sustainability and integrating social responsibility into business

Lei Jun’s personal life

Lei Jun's family consists of his wife, Zhang Tong, and their two children. Despite his high-profile role in the tech industry, Lei keeps his family life private, and not much information is publicly available beyond the fact that he maintains a strong bond with his immediate family

Useful insights

Understanding market forces

In my experience, to truly succeed as an investor, it’s essential to understand the driving forces behind market behavior. Market movements aren’t random—they’re influenced by a range of economic theories and dynamics. The following books provide valuable insights into these forces, offering a deeper understanding of how global financial markets operate and what shapes their trends.

Nassim Nicholas Taleb – "The Black Swan"
- Summary:
  
  Taleb explores the concept of rare, unpredictable events—so-called "Black Swans"—that can have massive impacts on markets and society. These events are often overlooked by traditional risk management models, leading to devastating consequences when they occur. Taleb illustrates how these unpredictable shocks shape our world, often more than gradual, expected changes.
- Why read it:
  
  This book challenges conventional thinking about risk and uncertainty, showing that many major historical and financial events were "Black Swans." It's a vital read for investors who want to build resilience in the face of market volatility.
John Maynard Keynes – "The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money"
- Summary:
  
  Keynes revolutionized economics by focusing on total demand within an economy and its effect on output and inflation. His theory suggested that government intervention could stabilize economic cycles through fiscal and monetary policy. The book also explains the consequences of under-consumption and the role of interest rates in managing economic stability.
- Why read it:
  
  For investors interested in macroeconomic trends and policy impacts, Keynes’ work is essential. Understanding the Keynesian framework can help investors predict how government actions might influence market performance.