China has quickly become a global powerhouse in terms of economic output and growth. Formerly a communist economy, the Chinese government in the past few years has loosened its stance regarding private ownership and the ability to found a private business. As a result, many of the world’s millionaires and billionaires are now found in China where, unsurprisingly, technology start-ups dominate the entrepreneurial landscape. Keep reading for the greatest Chinese entrepreneurs.

The Greatest Chinese Entrepreneurs

Liu Chuanzhi

Net worth: $9 billion

Liu is the founder of the personal computer (PC) maker Lenovo (LNVGY). Created in 1984 in a garage near the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing as a small computer reseller, Lenovo is one of the world’s leading makers of PCs, including desktops, notebooks, and servers. Lenovo famously acquired IBM’s (IBM) PC business in 2005. In December 2019, the company announced that Liu would retire as the chairman of Lenovo Group’s parent company, Legend Holdings, at the end of 2019.

Liu Qiangdong

Net worth: $18.3 billion

China’s version of Amazon (AMZN), JD.com (JD), was founded in 1998 by Liu Qiangdong, experiencing a relaunch in 2004. The e-commerce giant boasted nearly $28.5 billion in net revenues for the second quarter of 2020. This was an increase of 33.8% from the second quarter of 2019.

On June 18, 2020, JD.com successfully listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited with a global offering of 152,912,100 new Class A ordinary shares. These shares are fully fungible with JD.com’s American depositary shares (ADSs) listed on the Nasdaq Stock Exchange, based on the ratio of two ordinary shares per ADS

Jack Ma

Ma Yun is undoubtedly the most famous mainland entrepreneur today, but the chairman of Alibaba Group is probably better known around the world as Jack Ma. As a leading online trade platform, his company is among the few to permeate the Chinese public’s daily lives.

China has more than 310 million people who shop online and Alibaba is familiar to literally each of their households. Ma is also known for giving inspiring and absorbing speeches.

At Alibaba’s first Global Conference on Women and Entrepreneurship held in Hangzhou in May , Ma spoke on his own philosophy of life, and also offered advice on how people can make the most of their lives. His talk was so well-received that it over-ran its timeslot.

Lei Jun

Net worth: $21.1 billion

Lei founded Xiaomi, one of the largest mobile phone producers in the world. Created in 2010 to manufacture inexpensive smartphones, it has also branched out into app development through its subsidiaries Kingsoft and Cheetah Mobile. Jun also created internet services provider Xunlei.

Net worth: $9.2 billion

Wang who is one of the greatest Chinese entrepreneurs is the chairman of Amer International Group, a company dealing in metals and mining as well as industrial products. Wenyin has capitalized on China’s increasing demand for raw materials and metals in building its cities and infrastructure.

Ma Huateng

Net worth: $16.6 Billion

Ma Huateng is the CEO and founder of Tencent Holdings, China’s largest publicly operated internet business estimated by market share. Ma is highest in the ranks of richest internet entrepreneurs in China based on Tencent’s estimated value in 2014, which doubled from the previous year. The business’ major website qq.com consistently ranks among the ten most popular in the world. A giant star of the previous year: its WeChat mobile communication application has fascinated more than 270 million users.

Robin Li

Net worth: $11 Billion

Robin Li is the Chief Executive of Nasdaq-listed Baidu. It is the number one online search business in China. The valuations of Baidu have skyrocketed throughout the past year on investor interests for purchases that have expanded the company beyond its desktop search roots. In May 2014 Baidu bought the online video company of PPS$ for 370 million. In August 2014, it bought the app store 91 Wireless for about $1.9 billion; also in that month, it acquired 59% of the set – buying website of Nuomi for about $160 million. Baidu was founded in China in the year 2000. Forbes  mentions Li’s wealth and that it also contains portions held by his spouse Melissa.

William Ding

Net worth: $8.1 Billion

William Ding is an internet company founder that owns 45% of the game operator, NetEase, an online game developer. As the CEO, he leads the company to yet another profitable year, as profits for 2013 progressed by 17% of up to $1.6 billion. Looking to further increase profits, NetEase has announced that it would enter the games in mobile direct messaging space by creating a joint business with China Telecom, the massive government-controlled set service supplier.