China's AI Boom Creates Billionaires at Sizzling Pace

Chinese AI startups mint new billionaires as investors bet on their potential to challenge global tech giants

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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China's accelerating push into artificial intelligence has created a new generation of billionaires, with seven new Chinese AI tycoons emerging since December. These founders of AI chipmakers, model developers, and other AI-focused startups have seen their fortunes soar thanks to a flurry of lucrative IPOs in Hong Kong and Shanghai that have collectively raised $2.9 billion. While these companies remain deeply unprofitable, investors are betting big on their potential to challenge global AI leaders like Nvidia and OpenAI.

Why it matters

China's rapid development of AI capabilities is a key priority for the government, which is providing tax breaks and state funding to nurture homegrown AI champions that can compete globally. The surge of new AI billionaires reflects the frenzy of investor interest in this sector, as China aims to reduce its reliance on American AI technology and establish itself as a world leader in the field.

The details

The newest Chinese AI billionaires range in age from 36 to 60 and have quickly built their fortunes by founding companies like AI chipmakers MetaX Integrated Circuits and Moore Threads Technology, as well as AI model developers MiniMax Group and Knowledge Atlas Technology (Zhipu). While these startups have yet to turn a profit, their shares have soared between 95% and over 400% since their IPOs, minting billionaires like Yan Junjie, Chen Weiliang, Zhang Jianzhong, Liu Debing, Ge Weidong, Zhang Yubo, and Wang Dong.

  • In January 2026, Beijing-based search giant Baidu announced plans to spin off and list its chip unit Kunlunxin in Hong Kong.
  • In late December 2025, MetaX Integrated Circuits went public in Shanghai, raising close to $600 million.
  • Also in December 2025, Moore Threads Technology, dubbed the 'Nvidia of China', raised $1.1 billion in its Shanghai IPO.

The players

Yan Junjie

The 36-year-old chairman and CEO of Shanghai-based AI-model firm MiniMax Group, which raised $618 million in its January 2026 Hong Kong listing.

Chen Weiliang

The 49-year-old chairman and CEO of MetaX Integrated Circuits, an AI chipmaker that went public in Shanghai in late December 2025, raising close to $600 million.

Zhang Jianzhong

The 60-year-old chairman and CEO of AI chipmaker Moore Threads Technology, dubbed the 'Nvidia of China', which raised $1.1 billion in its December 2025 Shanghai IPO.

Liu Debing

The 50-year-old chairman and CEO of AI-model developer Knowledge Atlas Technology (Zhipu), which raised $560 million in its January 2026 Hong Kong IPO.

Ge Weidong

The 57-year-old chairman and CEO of Shanghai-based Chaos Investment, an early investor in MetaX Integrated Circuits.

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What they’re saying

“Nothing will impact our determination to develop the best all-purpose chips in China.”

— Zhang Jianzhong, Chairman and CEO, Moore Threads Technology (Forbes)

“Investors are more focused on potential. For now, they are placing bets across the board as it's too early to predict who the biggest winners will be.”

— Charlie Chai, Shanghai-based analyst, 86Research (Forbes)

What’s next

Beijing-based search engine giant Baidu announced in January 2026 a proposed spinoff and listing in Hong Kong of its chip unit Kunlunxin.

The takeaway

China's rapid development of AI capabilities, fueled by government support and investor enthusiasm, is minting a new generation of tech billionaires and positioning the country to challenge global AI leaders. However, the sustainability of these sky-high valuations for unprofitable AI startups remains to be seen as the market matures.