# Cambricon founder Chen enters China's top 10 richest as AI chip demand surges

Digest AI · Business & Funding · published 2026-10-29T01:58:00Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/cambricon-founder-chen-enters-china-s-top-10-richest-as-ai-chip-demand

## Summary

Chen, the founder of Cambricon, was placed 10th on the 2026 Hurun China Rich List released on Oct. 27, after his wealth rose 14% from a year earlier. He joins three newcomers – DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng, Chen Jianhua and Fan Hongwei of Hengli – and, at 41, is one of the youngest self‑made entrepreneurs among the country’s ten wealthiest.

Cambricon, often called the “Nvidia of China,” has seen its market capitalisation approach $100 billion as demand for domestically produced AI chips climbs. At an investor briefing on Oct. 26, Chen said strong demand for AI computing power could sustain further growth as the company expands its market presence. The firm, founded in 2016 by Chen and his brother Chen Yunji, went public on Shanghai’s STAR Market in 2020 and benefits from China’s push for home‑grown alternatives to U.S. chips.

DeepSeek’s Liang debuted in seventh place with an estimated 280 billion yuan fortune, while ByteDance founder Zhang Yiming reclaimed the top spot with an estimated 670 billion yuan, up 43% from a year earlier. Hurun identified 160 AI‑linked entrepreneurs, about one in ten of the 1,529 people on the list, an increase of 95 from the prior year.

## Key points

- Chen’s wealth rose 14% year‑over‑year, placing him 10th on the 2026 Hurun China Rich List released Oct. 27.
- Cambricon’s market capitalisation has approached $100 billion amid surging demand for AI chips.
- DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng entered the list at seventh with an estimated 280 billion yuan fortune.

## Why it matters

The rise of Cambricon highlights China’s growing self‑reliance in AI hardware, influencing global chip markets and investment trends.

## Sources

1. ['China's Nvidia' founder enters country's 10 richest as AI chip demand surges](https://e.vnexpress.net/news/tech/personalities/china-s-nvidia-founder-enters-country-s-10-richest-as-ai-chip-demand-surges-5138646.html) (e.vnexpress.net, 2026-10-29)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Cambricon founder Chen enters China's top 10 richest as AI chip demand surges", 29 October 2026, https://digestai.news/story/cambricon-founder-chen-enters-china-s-top-10-richest-as-ai-chip-demand

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