Bao Fan
Bao Fan | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 18, 1970 Shanghai, China |
| Occupation(s) | Investor, investment banker |
| Known for | Founder, chairman and CEO of China Renaissance |
Bao Fan (; born 18 October 1970) is a Chinese billionaire investor and investment banker. He established China Renaissance in 2005 and held the positions of chairman and CEO. His estimated net worth stands at approximately US$1.7 billion.
In 2015, Bao was ranked 22nd on Bloomberg Markets' list of the 50 Most Influential individuals.
In February 2023, Bao briefly went missing before it was disclosed that Chinese authorities had taken him into custody for questioning concerning former associates.
Early life and education
Born in Shanghai to parents employed by the government, Bao stresses that he does not belong to the privileged class often referred to as "princelings." He completed high school in the United States and obtained academic qualifications from both Fudan University and the Norwegian School of Management.
Career
Bao's professional experience includes roles at Morgan Stanley and Credit Suisse across London, New York, and Hong Kong. In 2000, he was appointed chief strategic officer at AsiaInfo Holdings, a Chinese startup.
He founded China Renaissance in 2005 with a focus on businesses within China's New Economy sector. The company went public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2018. In 2013, China Renaissance launched a private equity investment management arm, where Bao acts as Founding Partner and Chief Investment Officer.
Following Bao's disappearance in February 2023, China Renaissance’s shares fell by 50%, although the firm reassured stakeholders that its operations would proceed without disruption. It was later confirmed that Bao had been detained amid an investigation involving the former president Cong Lin.
Bao stepped down from all his positions at China Renaissance in February 2024. Reports in August 2025 indicated his release after more than two years of detention.
Recognition
In February 2016, China Renaissance was honored with FinanceAsia Achievement Awards for "Best China Deal" and "Best Private Equity Deal" due to its advisory role in the strategic partnership between Meituan and Dianping. The merged entity, Meituan-Dianping—China’s largest group-buying platform—secured $3.3 billion in funding in January 2016, marking the largest venture-backed financing round for an Internet startup in China with a valuation of $18 billion.
Personal life
Bao currently lives in Beijing.