Lei Jun Biography – The Visionary Founder Behind Xiaomi’s Global Rise
This in-depth Lei Jun biography explores the life and leadership of the man behind one of China’s most influential tech brands. If you've ever searched “Who is Xiaomi’s CEO?” — this comprehensive profile provides the full answer.
Early Life and Education
Lei Jun , born on December 16, 1969, in Xiantao, Hubei Province, China, displayed a passion for technology from a young age. He grew up in a modest family and excelled in academics, particularly in science and math. This academic excellence earned him admission to Wuhan University, one of China’s top institutions (source: Wuhan University Alumni Association).
During his university years (1987–1991), Lei Jun majored in Computer Science and became actively involved in programming and software development. He reportedly read Steve Jobs’ biography while in college, which inspired his dream of building a Chinese tech company with global influence. In 1989, he even developed his own file management tool, showcasing his self-driven nature and early entrepreneurial spark (source: CCTV Tech Interview, 2015).
Lei Jun Biography-Key Dates:
1987–1991: Attended Wuhan University
1991: Graduated with a Computer Science degree
Want to learn more about Lei Jun’s early education? Click here for a detailed article.
Career Beginnings: Kingsoft and Early Ventures
After graduation, Lei Jun joined Kingsoft in 1992 as a software engineer. His problem-solving skills and product intuition quickly earned him leadership roles. By 1998, he became the CEO, steering the company through key growth phases and product development cycles.
Beyond his work at Kingsoft, Lei Jun also demonstrated a strong entrepreneurial spirit. He founded Joyo.com in the early 2000s, a Chinese e-commerce platform focusing on books and media. The company was a trailblazer in the local market and was eventually acquired by Amazon in 2004 — one of the first major acquisitions of a Chinese tech company by a global giant.
Lei Jun Biography-Career Milestones:
1992: Joined Kingsoft as an engineer
1998: Became CEO of Kingsoft
Early 2000s: Founded Joyo.com (acquired by Amazon in 2004)
Lei Jun’s work during this period not only sharpened his technical and business acumen but also gave him credibility as one of China’s rising tech leaders.
For in-depth stories on Lei Jun’s time at Kingsoft, read this feature article.
Founding Xiaomi: A Disruptive Vision
In April 2010, Lei Jun co-founded Xiaomi alongside seven partners, including notable tech veterans like Lin Bin. Their mission was to create innovative, beautifully designed products at accessible prices by leveraging direct-to-consumer e-commerce and online fan engagement.
Xiaomi’s first smartphone, the Mi 1, launched in 2011 and quickly gained a following due to its high specifications and low price. The company rapidly expanded its product ecosystem to include smart TVs, fitness bands, power banks, and smart home devices, all developed with user feedback at the core.
Under Lei Jun’s vision, Xiaomi became the world’s youngest Fortune Global 500 company in 2019. Its strategy — often dubbed the “Triathlon Model” — combined hardware, internet services, and new retail into one seamless ecosystem.
In 2021, Lei Jun announced Xiaomi’s bold entry into the electric vehicle market, committing an initial investment of $10 billion over 10 years. This move marked a significant strategic expansion and showcased his long-term vision to integrate intelligent mobility with the Xiaomi ecosystem. (source: Forbes – Xiaomi’s EV Strategy; source: Xiaomi Official Press Release)
Lei Jun Biography-Xiaomi Milestones:
2011: First Xiaomi smartphone launched (Mi 1)
2014: Xiaomi became China’s #1 smartphone brand
2018: IPO on Hong Kong Stock Exchange
2019: Entered Fortune Global 500
2021: Announced entry into electric vehicle market with Xiaomi EV
2022: Xiaomi EV prototype unveiled (August)
2023: Xiaomi SU7 electric sedan officially launched (December)
2024: Xiaomi EV achieves 100,000 unit production milestone
2025: Xiaomi ranked among top 3 global smartphone brands (Q1)
Curious about how Xiaomi began? Read the full Xiaomi founding story.
Leadership Style and Philosophy
Lei Jun is widely regarded for his humble and pragmatic leadership. Unlike many high-profile CEOs, he often avoids public flamboyance, instead focusing on execution, user satisfaction, and iterative improvement.
He believes deeply in empowering his team and involving users in product development. This participatory model — engaging customers through Weibo polls, beta testing programs, and open feedback loops — has helped Xiaomi rapidly iterate and improve its offerings.
Internally, Lei Jun promotes flat management, transparency, and a culture of resilience. He often encourages employees to embrace uncertainty, work fast, and remain user-centric at all times. In a 2019 interview with CCTV’s Dialogue, Lei Jun explained: “Good management is not about hierarchy, but about mobilizing every team member’s initiative. I trust my people, and they know they can speak up.” (source: CCTV Dialogue, 2019)
Lei Jun Biography-Famous Quotes:
“Always believe that something wonderful is about to happen.”
“Do the right thing, not the easy thing.”
Media Presence and Public Speeches
Lei Jun’s public appearances have significantly shaped Xiaomi’s image as a tech-savvy, innovative, and consumer-driven brand.
He is a frequent keynote speaker at major product launches, tech forums, and annual Xiaomi events, often drawing millions of views online. His speeches tend to be direct, emotionally engaging, and rich in vision — reflecting both the company’s values and his personal style.
📄 Click to read and download：
2022 Lei Jun’s Annual Speech
2023 Lei Jun’s Annual Speech
2024 Lei Jun’s Annual Speech
Publications and Writings
Although Lei Jun hasn’t authored a personal memoir (as of this writing), several books have been published about him by tech journalists, entrepreneurs, and researchers. These books delve into his leadership style, strategic thinking, and how Xiaomi disrupted the global smartphone market.
Lei Jun Biography-Notable books include:
“Think Xiaomi” (English) — A summary of Xiaomi’s business innovations, strategy, and Lei Jun’s guiding principles.
“Go Ahead with All Your Might” (English)-Xiaomi’s 10th anniversary the only officially authorized biography detailing Lei Jun’s entrepreneurial journey.
Investment Strategy and Shunwei Capital
In 2011, Lei Jun co-founded Shunwei Capital, a venture capital firm focused on early- and growth-stage investments. Through Shunwei, he has backed over 400 startups, especially in sectors such as smart hardware, mobile internet, fintech, and new energy.
Lei Jun Biography-Notable investments include:
Koo App (India-based social platform)
Yuanfudao (online education unicorn)
Stone Technology (robot vacuum maker)
Kingsoft Cloud and other enterprise tech firms
Lei Jun’s vision for Shunwei mirrors his approach to Xiaomi: support founders with big dreams and strong execution. His role as an investor further expands his influence in shaping China’s broader innovation ecosystem.
📈 Discover more about Lei Jun’s investment logic and Shunwei’s top portfolio companies in this article.
Philanthropy and Social Contribution
Beyond business, Lei Jun is also known for his philanthropic efforts. He has donated substantial amounts to education, healthcare, disaster relief, and rural development causes in China.
In 2012, he pledged RMB 1 billion (approx. $150 million) to Wuhan University, his alma mater, marking one of the largest personal donations to a Chinese university. The funds have been used to support scholarships, research programs, and campus development.
Lei Jun has also supported public health initiatives and made donations during national emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters. Through the Xiaomi Foundation, he has expanded corporate giving to include digital education programs and tech accessibility projects in underprivileged areas.
His charitable philosophy reflects his belief that technology should benefit all — not just consumers, but society at large.
❤️ Learn more about Lei Jun’s charitable contributions in this dedicated section.
Influence and Recognition
Lei Jun has played a crucial role in shaping China’s digital economy. His leadership at Xiaomi, along with his investments in dozens of startups through Shunwei Capital, has contributed to the rise of mobile internet, smart hardware, and consumer tech ecosystems in China.
He has consistently been recognized by global business and tech communities:
Lei Jun Biography-Recognition Highlights:
2014: Forbes Businessman of the Year (China)
2015: Named one of “Asia’s 50 Power Businesspeople” by Forbes Asia
2019: TIME China’s Most Influential Tech Leaders
2022: Hurun Report – Top 10 Most Respected Entrepreneurs in China
2023: Fortune’s “Businessperson of the Year” (Asia-Pacific)
2024: Bloomberg 50 – Most Influential Global Tech Leaders
2025: Received “Lifetime Achievement Award” at World Internet Conference
In addition, Lei Jun is often called “China’s Steve Jobs” — a label he humbly deflects, but one that signals his lasting influence on the industry.
Visual Timeline of Lei Jun’s Career
A Lasting Legacy
Lei Jun’s rise from a small town in Hubei to the head of one of the world’s most innovative tech companies reflects not just personal brilliance, but a wider narrative of China’s transformation in the digital age.
Through Xiaomi and beyond, Lei Jun continues to champion an approach that blends affordability with cutting-edge innovation. As the company moves deeper into AI, electric vehicles, and global markets, Lei Jun remains the guiding force behind its mission to make technology accessible and inspiring for all.
Lei Jun biography is not only a chronicle of success — it’s a masterclass in how vision, humility, and user obsession can drive global impact.
Lei Jun Biography：References
[1] Lei Jun Weibo (Official Account)
https://weibo.com/leijun
[2] Lei Jun 2022 Annual Speech (PDF)
https://leijunfans.com/lei-jun-2022-annual-speech-download-pdf/
[3] Xiaomi Investor Relations
https://www.mi.com/global/investors
[4] Forbes China – Annual Business Leaders
https://www.forbeschina.com/list/
[5] Reuters – Xiaomi Announces EV Strategy (2021)
https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/xiaomi-ev
[6] CNBC – Lei Jun Profile: “China’s Steve Jobs?” (2015)
https://www.cnbc.com/2015/07/01/xiaomi-founder-lei-jun-the-steve-jobs-of-china.html
[7] TIME Magazine – Influential Chinese Tech Leaders (2019)
[8] Hurun Report – 2022 Most Respected Entrepreneurs in China
[9] Zhongguancun Forum Speech Archive
[10] Shunwei Capital Official Portfolio Overview
