He Xiaopeng

He Xiaopeng

何小鹏

Co-founder of UCWeb and Chairman & CEO of XPeng Motors, a serial entrepreneur in China's internet and EV industries.

Born: 11/3/1977
Nationality: China
Locations: Guangzhou, Hubei
Co-founderChairmanCEO
InternetAutomotiveElectric VehiclesArtificial Intelligence

Biography

He Xiaopeng, born November 3, 1977, in Hubei Province, is a prominent Chinese serial entrepreneur, best known as the co-founder of the mobile internet software company UCWeb and the Chairman and CEO of the electric vehicle manufacturer XPeng Motors.

After graduating from the South China University of Technology with a degree in Computer Science in 1999, He Xiaopeng co-founded UCWeb in 2004. He served as the head of product and led the development of the UC Browser, which became one of the world's most popular mobile browsers. In 2014, UCWeb was acquired by Alibaba Group in a landmark deal, after which He took on several executive roles within Alibaba's mobile business group.

Achieving financial freedom after the acquisition, He Xiaopeng felt a renewed desire to build something impactful. In 2017, he officially left Alibaba and joined XPeng Motors, an electric vehicle startup he had co-founded and invested in three years prior. Taking the helm as Chairman and CEO, he has since guided XPeng to become a leading player in China's competitive smart EV market, known for its focus on in-house technology, autonomous driving, and software.

Education Background

  • 1999: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from South China University of Technology

Major Achievements

  • Co-founded UCWeb and created the highly successful UC Browser
  • Led UCWeb to a multi-billion dollar acquisition by Alibaba Group
  • Co-founded XPeng Motors and leads it as Chairman and CEO
  • Successfully listed XPeng Motors on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in 2020 and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) in 2021
  • Positioned XPeng as a leader in smart EV technology and autonomous driving

Business Philosophy

He Xiaopeng is a product-centric leader who believes deeply in the power of technology to solve user pain points. Having come from a software background, he champions a philosophy of continuous iteration, rapid product development, and a focus on creating a superior user experience. At XPeng, he has emphasized the importance of full-stack, in-house research and development, particularly for software and autonomous driving, believing it to be the core differentiator in the future of mobility.

Innovation and Impact

He Xiaopeng has had a significant impact on two major waves of technology in China. With UCWeb, he was a key figure in the mobile internet boom, making the web accessible to hundreds of millions of users. With XPeng Motors, he is at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution, pushing the boundaries of what a car can be by defining it as a smart, upgradeable electronic device on wheels. His journey from software to hardware demonstrates his versatility and his consistent focus on building technology-driven companies.

Timeline

Event
Born in Huangshi, Hubei
He Xiaopeng was born in Huangshi, Hubei Province, China.
He Xiaopeng was born in a small city in Hubei province. His early life was modest, but his interest in technology would set him on a path to become a major figure in two different industries.
Huangshi, Hubei
EducationMedium Impact
#Birth#Early Life
Event
Graduated from South China University of Technology
Graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science.
He Xiaopeng completed his studies in Computer Science, gaining the technical skills that would serve as the foundation for his first major entrepreneurial success in the internet sector.
Guangzhou, Guangdong
EducationHigh Impact
#Graduation#Computer Science
The Beginning
Co-founded UCWeb
Co-founded UCWeb, a mobile internet software and services company.
He Xiaopeng and his co-founder created UCWeb, developing the UC Browser. As head of product, he was instrumental in building it into one of the most popular mobile browsers in the world, particularly in emerging markets.
Guangzhou, Guangdong
FoundingHigh Impact
#UCWeb#Founding#Startup#Mobile Internet
The Beginning
Co-founded and Invested in XPeng Motors
While still at Alibaba, He Xiaopeng co-founded and became an angel investor in the electric vehicle startup XPeng Motors.
Even before leaving Alibaba, He Xiaopeng saw the massive potential in the EV space. He joined forces with the initial founders to provide crucial early-stage capital and guidance for XPeng Motors.
Guangzhou, Guangdong
FoundingHigh Impact
#XPeng#Founding#Investment#EV
Event
UCWeb Acquired by Alibaba
UCWeb was acquired by Alibaba Group in China's largest-ever internet merger at the time.
The acquisition of UCWeb by Alibaba made He Xiaopeng a multi-millionaire, achieving a level of financial freedom that allowed him to contemplate his next move. He subsequently took on executive roles at Alibaba.
Hangzhou, Zhejiang
AcquisitionHigh Impact
#Acquisition#Alibaba#UCWeb#Wealth
Event
Joined XPeng Motors as Chairman and CEO
He Xiaopeng resigned from Alibaba to join XPeng Motors full-time, taking over leadership as Chairman and CEO.
Feeling unfulfilled by his executive role, He Xiaopeng decided to go 'all-in' on his next venture. His arrival transformed XPeng from a promising hardware startup into a technology-driven company with a strong focus on software and autonomous driving.
Guangzhou, Guangdong
CareerHigh Impact
#XPeng#CEO#Leadership#Career
Event
Launched XPeng G3
XPeng Motors launched its first mass-market production model, the G3 compact SUV.
The launch of the G3 marked XPeng's official entry into the competitive EV market. It was a critical test of the company's ability to transition from concept to mass production under He Xiaopeng's leadership.
Guangzhou, Guangdong
Product LaunchHigh Impact
#XPeng#Product Launch#G3#EV
Event
Launched XPeng P7
XPeng launched its flagship P7 smart sports sedan.
The P7 was a breakthrough product that established XPeng's reputation for in-house technology, particularly its XPILOT autonomous driving system and Xmart OS infotainment system, directly challenging Tesla.
Guangzhou, Guangdong
Product LaunchHigh Impact
#XPeng#Product Launch#P7#Autonomous Driving
Going Public
XPeng IPO on New York Stock Exchange
XPeng successfully went public on the NYSE, raising $1.5 billion.
The successful IPO provided XPeng with the capital needed to scale production, R&D, and its sales network, marking a major milestone in its battle against local and international EV rivals.
New York, NY
IPOHigh Impact
#IPO#Public Listing#NYSE#XPeng
Going Public
XPeng Dual Primary Listing in Hong Kong
XPeng completed a dual primary listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, raising another $1.8 billion.
This move de-risked the company from US-China geopolitical tensions and gave it access to a new pool of investors closer to its home market, further strengthening its financial position.
Hong Kong
IPOHigh Impact
#IPO#Public Listing#HKEX#XPeng

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