Early Life and Education
Tianqiao Chen was born in Xinchang County, Zhejiang Province, China, in 1973. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Fudan University in 1993. Chen's early life was marked by an interest in technology and a drive to succeed.
Rise to Success
In 1999, Chen, along with his family, founded Shanda Interactive Entertainment Limited. The company quickly became a leader in the online gaming industry. By 2004, Shanda had become the largest internet company in China by market capitalization. The company's success led Chen to be recognized as a leading entrepreneur, and in 2018, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award as Tech Entrepreneur. Chen's ventures also included investing in major firms like Legg Mason and Lending Club.
Key Business Strategies
Chen's early success came from identifying the potential of online games in China. Shanda pioneered the free-to-play gaming model, making games accessible to a large audience. Chen moved the holding group's headquarters from China to Singapore. His investments span public and private equities, venture capital, and real estate, according to Shanda's website. He sold all his stakes in Shanda Games in November 2014, after which Shanda Group refocused on investing. Chen has transformed Shanda Group into a global investment firm wholly owned by his family.
Philanthropy
Chen, along with his wife Chrissy Luo, is committed to philanthropy. In 2016, they founded the Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute (TCCI) with a $1 billion commitment to support brain science research. The TCCI focuses on funding universities and institutions for interdisciplinary research concerning neuroscience, perception, and behavior. Chen has stated he is dedicated to finding the mysteries of the human brain and its relationship to mental health.