Frank Wang

Wang Tao
Born	Template:Birth year and age Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Occupation(s)	Engineer, entrepreneur
Years active	2006–present
Known for	Founder and CEO of DJI

Wang Tao (; born 1980), also referred to as Frank Wang, is a Chinese engineer specializing in aerospace and a prominent entrepreneur. He established and currently serves as the CEO of DJI, headquartered in Shenzhen, which stands as the leading global producer of commercial drones. As of December 2020, his net worth was approximated at US$4.8 billion.

Biography

Originating from Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, Wang demonstrated an early fascination with aviation technology despite having only average academic results. He pursued his studies at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), where his aptitude was identified by mathematics professor Li Zexiang following a project involving helicopter flight controls, leading to Wang's admission into graduate research.

In 2005, Wang's team at HKUST secured third place at the ABU Robocon competition, earning HK$18,000 (approximately US$2,300), which was invested in drone development. He crafted DJI's initial prototypes within his dormitory and generated revenue by selling flight control components to academic institutions and businesses. These funds enabled him to move to Shenzhen in 2006, where he assembled a small workforce. Early on, the company faced significant employee turnover, partly due to Wang's rigorous management approach. Financial backing from family friend Lu Di, who injected US$90,000 and oversaw financial operations, provided crucial support for the enterprise.

By 2010, Wang recruited Swift Xie Jia to oversee marketing efforts as DJI expanded its focus toward drone enthusiasts beyond China. The following year, he collaborated with former television contestant Colin Guinn to launch DJI North America aimed at broadening drone sales in the mass market. In 2011, Wang also completed his MPhil thesis centered on autonomous helicopter control mechanisms.

DJI achieved a major milestone in 2013 with the introduction of the Phantom drone, an accessible model designed for beginners that quickly gained international commercial success. Nevertheless, conflicts with Guinn resulted in the closure of DJI North America and a private settlement after legal disputes.

The release of the Phantom 3 in 2015, featuring an integrated live-streaming camera, further entrenched DJI’s leadership in the industry. The company swiftly surpassed competitors, capturing close to 77% of the U.S. consumer drone market by 2020. In 2017, Wang earned recognition as Asia’s youngest technology billionaire.

Acknowledged as a trailblazer in the consumer drone sector, Wang was ranked #96 on Business Insider's The Creators list in 2016 and was identified by Forbes as the inaugural "drone billionaire." In 2020, he received distinction as one of the Asian Scientist 100 laureates.