Richard Liu or Liu Qiangdong is a Chinese billionaire and founder of the e-commerce company JD.com. He recently became China’s wealthiest person after his company’s IPO on NASDAQ, which saw their stock rise by 33% in a single day. His wealth has grown by over 170% since 2010, and he’s still the youngest self-made billionaire in the world!
During the economic crisis at the beginning of this century, Richard Liu took a small loan from a local bank [Shanghai Commercial Bank]. He used it to turn his company into an online e-commerce giant in China. He has already invested $350 million into his startup and has plans to raise another $2 billion through an IPO, as well as investing in other tech startups and philanthropic activities.
Richard Liu Early Life and Education
He studied sociology at the Renmin University of China in Beijing, majoring in business and management at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, and is a graduate of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He currently resides in Shanghai with his wife and daughter.
Richard Liu’s Career and Accomplishments
He founded JD.com in July 2005, along with three others after he graduated from college. In 2006, he set up a side business called Liu An Technology which was dedicated to mobile phone software development, before becoming the CEO of JD.com in June 2007.
In July 2010, he gave up the CEO position to Jingdong Mi, the head of JD’s online marketplace platform, and became the company’s chairman and put all his efforts into the online retail business. JD.com has become one of China’s biggest e-commerce companies, and Richard is now one of China’s most recognizable figures.
Richard is one of China’s most exciting and innovative business masterminds. At only 35, he has already achieved so much in his career and continues to explore his entrepreneurial potential by investing in startups such as the Chinese rideshare company.
See related link for more information.
Learn more about Liu Qiangdong on https://ir.jd.com/liu-qiangdong-jd-ceo-about