Fenggang Zhao: The Intriguing Life of a Sociologist

Overview:

Fenggang Zhao is a Chinese billionaire entrepreneur and investor. He is the founder and CEO of Zhaopin, one of China’s largest job recruitment platforms. Zhao is known for his expertise in human resources and talent management, and has been recognized as a leading figure in China’s tech industry. As of 2021, Forbes estimates his net worth at $2.6 billion USD.

Early Life and Education:

Fenggang Zhao was born in 1964 in the Shandong province of China. He grew up in poverty, and his parents were farmers who worked hard to provide for their family. Despite the challenges, Zhao was a gifted student and showed early signs of entrepreneurial talent. After graduating from high school, he attended Beijing Agricultural University and received a bachelor’s degree in Forestry. Zhao went on to earn a master’s degree in Forestry Economics from the Chinese Academy of Forestry.

Career and Achievements:

After completing his education, Fenggang Zhao began his career in the forestry industry, working for a state-owned company. He quickly realized that he was not passionate about the work, and began exploring other opportunities. In 1994, Zhao founded Zhaopin, an online job recruitment platform that connected employers with job seekers. The company quickly grew in popularity, and in 2000, Zhao took it public on the New York Stock Exchange. Today, Zhaopin is one of China’s leading job recruitment platforms, with millions of users and partnerships with thousands of companies.

In addition to his work with Zhaopin, Fenggang Zhao is an active investor and has been involved in several successful startups. He is a partner at Gaorong Capital, a venture capital firm that invests in early stage tech startups. Zhao has also served as a board member for several Chinese companies, including Kingsoft Corporation and China Digital TV Holding Co.

Personal Life:

Fenggang Zhao is known for his philanthropy, and has donated millions of dollars to various charities and causes. He is also a patron of the arts and has supported the National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing. In his free time, Zhao enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with his family.

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