
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.
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
1977
Born in Huangshi, Hubei
EducationMedium ImpactNovember 3, 1977
📍 Huangshi, Hubei
He Xiaopeng was born in Huangshi, Hubei Province, China.
1999
Graduated from South China University of Technology
EducationHigh ImpactJuly 1999
📍 Guangzhou, Guangdong
Graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science.
2004
Co-founded UCWeb
FoundingHigh Impact2004
📍 Guangzhou, Guangdong
Co-founded UCWeb, a mobile internet software and services company.
2014
Co-founded and Invested in XPeng Motors
FoundingHigh Impact2014
📍 Guangzhou, Guangdong
While still at Alibaba, He Xiaopeng co-founded and became an angel investor in the electric vehicle startup XPeng Motors.
UCWeb Acquired by Alibaba
AcquisitionHigh ImpactJune 2014
📍 Hangzhou, Zhejiang
UCWeb was acquired by Alibaba Group in China's largest-ever internet merger at the time.
2017
Joined XPeng Motors as Chairman and CEO
CareerHigh ImpactAugust 29, 2017
📍 Guangzhou, Guangdong
He Xiaopeng resigned from Alibaba to join XPeng Motors full-time, taking over leadership as Chairman and CEO.
2018
Launched XPeng G3
Product LaunchHigh ImpactDecember 2018
📍 Guangzhou, Guangdong
XPeng Motors launched its first mass-market production model, the G3 compact SUV.
2020
Launched XPeng P7
Product LaunchHigh ImpactApril 2020
📍 Guangzhou, Guangdong
XPeng launched its flagship P7 smart sports sedan.
XPeng IPO on New York Stock Exchange
IPOHigh ImpactAugust 27, 2020
📍 New York, NY
XPeng successfully went public on the NYSE, raising $1.5 billion.
2021
XPeng Dual Primary Listing in Hong Kong
IPOHigh ImpactJuly 7, 2021
📍 Hong Kong
XPeng completed a dual primary listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, raising another $1.8 billion.