Zhou Qunfei
Zhou Qunfei | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1970 Xiangxiang, Hunan, China |
| Occupation(s) | Businesswoman, entrepreneur |
| Known for | Founder of Lens Technology |
Zhou Qunfei (; born 1970) is a prominent Chinese businesswoman and the founder of Lens Technology, a leading manufacturer of touchscreen components. After her company debuted on the Shenzhen ChiNext board in March 2015, her personal fortune soared to US$10 billion, positioning her as China's wealthiest female entrepreneur. By 2018, she earned recognition as the richest self-made woman globally, with a net worth estimated at $10 billion.
Early life
Zhou entered the world in 1970 in Xiangxiang, located in Hunan province, as the youngest among three siblings in a financially struggling household. Her father, once a soldier who sustained injuries in an industrial mishap, supported the family through skilled manual labor. Following her mother's passing when Zhou was just five years old, she contributed to the family income by raising livestock. Although she was the sole sibling to attend secondary education, Zhou discontinued her studies at age 16 and relocated to Shenzhen to work as a migrant worker.
With deliberate intent, Zhou selected employment near Shenzhen University to facilitate part-time learning, obtaining qualifications in accounting, computer operations, customs procedures, and commercial vehicle driving—capabilities that later underpinned her entrepreneurial ventures.
Career
While Zhou initially aspired to become a fashion designer, she began her professional journey at a small family-operated workshop producing watch components for approximately 180 yuan monthly. Dissatisfied with the working environment, she resigned after three months; however, this prompted an offer for promotion. When that factory eventually shut down, she launched her own enterprise in 1993 at age 22 with savings amounting to HK$20,000 (around USD$3,000). Motivated by her cousin's encouragement, she involved family members in running the business from a modest three-bedroom apartment. The company attracted clientele by pledging superior-quality watch lenses, with Zhou personally managing repairs and enhancements to machinery design. A pivotal breakthrough came in 2001 when she secured a contract to manufacture mobile phone screens for TCL Corporation, a major Chinese electronics firm.
Zhou has revealed that over time she has established a total of eleven companies.
Lens Technology
In 2003, while continuing production of watch faces, Zhou’s firm received an assignment from Motorola to develop glass screens for the Razr V3 amid the industry's transition from plastic to glass displays.
That same year marked the founding of Lens Technology—a touchscreen manufacturer named strategically to optimize online search visibility for "lens." The company quickly gained orders from prominent mobile phone brands such as HTC, Nokia, and Samsung Electronics. After supplying touchscreens for Apple’s iPhone launch in 2007, Lens Technology rose to prominence within the sector. Its primary clients include Apple, Samsung, and Huawei, with nearly three-quarters of its revenue derived from Apple and Samsung alone. Additionally, Lens Technology provides glass and sapphire crystal displays for the Apple Watch. By 2017, the enterprise employed roughly 90,000 staff across 32 factories and was projected to produce over one billion glass screens annually.
On 18 March 2015, Lens Technology made its public market debut on Shenzhen Stock Exchange’s ChiNext A-share board. The stock price surged by the maximum daily limit of 44% on its opening day and continued to increase by 10% daily over the following thirteen trading sessions—representing China’s largest technology IPO during the first quarter of 2015.
Accomplishments
At the time of Lens Technology's initial public offering in 2015, Zhou Qunfei owned 87.9% of the company's shares, which were valued at $7.2 billion (as of July 2015). This stake propelled her net worth to increase by 452%, establishing her as the wealthiest woman in China and the richest self-made female entrepreneur in the global technology sector.
In 2016, Forbes placed her at #61 on their Power Women list and ranked her #205 among global billionaires, with a position of #9 in Hong Kong. She was also listed as #18 on the 2015 China Rich List and #30 among the Richest in Technology. Fortune recognized her as #18 on their 2016 Most Powerful Women in Asia-Pacific ranking, while Bloomberg positioned her at #211 among billionaires worldwide.
Personal life
Zhou was previously married to her former factory supervisor, with whom she had a daughter before their divorce. In 2008, she remarried Zheng Junlong, who was serving on Lens Technology's board as of 2015. The couple has a son and currently lives in Hong Kong.
Although Zhou regards her work as a passion, she also finds enjoyment in activities such as mountain climbing and playing ping pong. Her journey from humble beginnings to significant wealth serves as motivation for countless Chinese migrant workers, and she attributes her achievements to an intense eagerness to acquire knowledge.