Meet Chinese billionaire Gong Hongjia, the angel investor with a finger in every pie
Serial entrepreneur is best known as vice-chairman of world’s biggest surveillance products maker, Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology
Chinese billionaire Gong Hongjia, also known as Kung Hung Ka, is a classic example of a successful serial entrepreneur who has ventured into many different fields.
The 54-year-old is best known as vice-chairman of the Chinese company Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology, the world's largest supplier of video surveillance products. He set up the company in 2001.
The business has more than 18,000 staff and last year had reported revenues of 49.4 billion yuan (US$7.5 billion) from the sale of its cameras and surveillance equipment.
Gong, known as “China’s best angel investor”, was born in China and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Huazhong University of Science and Technology.
An admitted sports fan, he reportedly helped establish a soccer club while studying there. The literature enthusiast is also said to have enjoyed studying liberal arts and literature while at high school.
According to a China’s Tycoons report by HSBC, he often chose literature rather than science and showed little interest in technology. So his professional path required him to make a 180-degree-turn.
After graduating, Gong spent some time trading in electronic goods in the south of China. Then the ambitious businessman moved to Hong Kong in 1992.
He is the founder and former owner of radio manufacturer Tecsun and smart card and securities firm Watchdata.