Zhou Hongyi

Education: Zhou holds both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science from Xi’an Jiaotong University, one of China’s top engineering schools. His academic background provided the technical foundation for his early ventures in search and security software.

Early Career: Founded 3721.com in 1998, an early Chinese search engine that pioneered keyword-based advertising and domain resolution. Acquired by Yahoo in 2003 for an undisclosed sum, marking his first major exit and validating his ability to build scalable internet infrastructure.

Qihoo 360 Founding: Launched in 2005, Qihoo 360 disrupted China’s antivirus market by offering free software — a radical departure from paid models. The strategy rapidly captured market share, forcing competitors to adapt or exit. Revenue came from search, ads, and app store commissions.

Corporate Strategy: Zhou’s leadership emphasized speed, scale, and ecosystem control. He engaged in public disputes with rivals (e.g., Tencent, Baidu) to defend market position, often leveraging media and user sentiment. His 2016 privatization of Qihoo 360 involved a $9.3 billion consortium deal, one of the largest in Chinese tech history.

Personal Life: Married, with a high-profile divorce settlement in 2023 that transferred $1.3 billion in Qihoo shares to his former wife, Hu Huan. The settlement did not affect his operational control, underscoring the separation between personal wealth and corporate governance in family-controlled firms.

Philosophy: Zhou is known for his aggressive, user-first approach. He has stated that “free is the best price,” reflecting his belief that massive user bases enable monetization through ancillary services. His focus on mobile security and AI-driven threat detection positions Qihoo 360 for continued relevance in an era of rising cyber risks.

Legacy: Zhou Hongyi’s career mirrors China’s tech ascent — from early internet pioneers to global-scale platforms navigating regulatory complexity. His ability to pivot between markets, adapt to policy shifts, and maintain control despite ownership changes makes him a case study in entrepreneurial resilience in emerging economies.

Zhou Hongyi’s net worth, as of April 1, 2025, is estimated at approximately $3.8 billion, placing him at #1582 globally on the Billionaires List. This valuation reflects his controlling stake in 360 Security Technology (Qihoo 360), a Beijing-based cybersecurity and search engine provider, as well as his chairmanship of 360 DigiTech, a Nasdaq-listed credit information services company. His wealth is primarily derived from equity ownership in these publicly traded entities, with fluctuations tied to stock performance, market sentiment, and macroeconomic conditions in China’s tech sector.

The valuation methodology used by typically combines public market data (share prices, ownership percentages) with private company valuations where applicable. For Zhou, the bulk of his net worth is derived from his stake in 360 Security Technology, which completed a complex backdoor listing on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2018 after delisting from the New York Stock Exchange in 2016. The delisting and subsequent relisting involved a $9.3 billion privatization deal led by Zhou himself, a transaction that significantly altered the structure and valuation of his holdings.

Notably, Zhou’s net worth experienced a significant adjustment in 2023 following a high-profile divorce settlement with his former wife, Hu Huan. As part of the settlement, Zhou transferred shares in Qihoo 360 Technology valued at approximately $1.3 billion to Hu. This transaction, while reducing his personal stake, did not diminish the overall value of the company or his continued control as CEO and chairman. Such transfers are common among high-net-worth individuals undergoing marital dissolution and are typically structured to preserve operational continuity while satisfying legal and financial obligations.

Unlike many billionaires whose wealth is tied to a single company, Zhou’s portfolio includes exposure to multiple sectors: cybersecurity, search, fintech (via 360 DigiTech), and even consumer electronics through his prior joint venture with Coolpad. This diversification, while still concentrated in tech, provides some insulation against sector-specific downturns. However, the majority of his wealth remains sensitive to the performance of 360 Security Technology, whose stock price has historically been volatile, influenced by regulatory changes, competitive pressures, and investor sentiment toward Chinese tech firms.

It is also worth noting that Zhou’s net worth, like that of many Chinese entrepreneurs, is subject to additional layers of complexity. These include the use of variable interest entities (VIEs), offshore holding structures, and the potential for state influence or regulatory intervention in the tech sector. While these factors are not directly quantified in his net worth, they represent systemic risks that could impact the valuation of his holdings in the future.

Zhou Hongyi’s wealth trajectory is a case study in the evolution of China’s internet economy and the strategic maneuvering required to navigate its regulatory and financial ecosystems. His rise began in the late 1990s with the founding of 3721.com, an early Chinese search engine that pioneered keyword-based advertising and domain name services. The company was acquired by Yahoo in 2003 for $120 million, providing Zhou with his first major liquidity event and establishing his reputation as a tech entrepreneur with a knack for monetizing online services.

Following the Yahoo acquisition, Zhou founded Qihoo 360 in 2005, initially as a cybersecurity provider offering free antivirus software. This model, which disrupted the traditional paid antivirus market, quickly gained market share and positioned Qihoo as a dominant player in China’s internet security space. The company’s pivot to a freemium model—offering core services for free while monetizing through advertising and premium features—mirrored global trends but was executed with a distinctly Chinese approach, leveraging the country’s massive user base and mobile-first adoption.

Qihoo’s initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange in 2011 marked a high point in Zhou’s wealth accumulation. The company’s market capitalization peaked at over $10 billion, and Zhou’s stake was valued in the billions. However, by 2015, the company faced increasing pressure from U.S. investors and regulatory scrutiny, prompting Zhou to propose a privatization deal. The $9.3 billion buyout, completed in 2016, was one of the largest private equity transactions in China’s tech history and reflected Zhou’s belief that the company’s true value was not being recognized in the U.S. market.

The subsequent relisting in China in 2018 via a backdoor merger with a state-owned shell company was a strategic move to tap into domestic capital markets, which were more receptive to tech firms with strong user bases and government-aligned business models. The relisting was met with initial enthusiasm, with shares surging in the first days of trading. However, the stock’s performance has since been volatile, influenced by broader market conditions, regulatory crackdowns on tech giants, and competition from domestic rivals like Tencent and Alibaba.

Zhou’s wealth has also been shaped by his diversification into fintech through 360 DigiTech, which went public on Nasdaq in 2020. The company provides credit scoring and lending services, leveraging data analytics and AI to assess creditworthiness in China’s underbanked population. While this venture has added a new revenue stream and valuation component to Zhou’s portfolio, it has also exposed him to regulatory risks associated with China’s tightening oversight of the fintech sector.

A significant inflection point in Zhou’s wealth history occurred in 2023, when he transferred $1.3 billion in Qihoo 360 shares to his ex-wife, Hu Huan, as part of a divorce settlement. This transaction, while reducing his personal stake, did not alter his control over the company or his role as CEO and chairman. It did, however, highlight the personal and financial complexities that can accompany extreme wealth, particularly in jurisdictions where divorce laws may require substantial asset division.

Looking ahead, Zhou’s wealth will likely continue to be influenced by the performance of 360 Security Technology and 360 DigiTech, as well as broader trends in China’s tech sector. The government’s emphasis on “common prosperity” and its crackdown on monopolistic practices have created an environment of uncertainty for tech billionaires, and Zhou’s ability to adapt to these changes will be critical to preserving and growing his wealth in the coming years.

George Kurtz — CEO of CrowdStrike, a U.S.-based cybersecurity firm that competes with Qihoo 360 in enterprise threat detection. Both built companies around real-time security analytics, though Kurtz focuses on cloud-native platforms while Zhou targets consumer and SMB markets in China.

Jay Chaudhry — Founder of Zscaler, another U.S. cloud security leader. Like Zhou, Chaudhry leveraged a shift from on-premise to cloud infrastructure to scale his business. Their paths diverge in market focus: Zscaler serves global enterprises, while Qihoo 360 dominates China’s domestic market.

Lei Jufang — Alumnus of Xi’an Jiaotong University, like Zhou. While not a direct peer in security software, Lei’s success in pharmaceuticals illustrates the broader network of alumni-driven entrepreneurship in China’s tech and industrial sectors.

Qi Xiangdong — Connected through financial asset ties (SJEC Corporation). Represents the interlocking ownership structures common in Chinese tech, where cross-holdings and joint ventures create complex webs of influence beyond formal corporate hierarchies.

Zhou Hongyi was born in China and pursued his higher education at Xi'an Jiaotong University, one of China’s most prestigious engineering and technology institutions. He earned both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from the university, laying the foundation for his future career in technology and entrepreneurship. While specific details about his childhood, family background, or early influences are not publicly disclosed in the provided data, his academic path suggests a strong focus on technical disciplines, which would later inform his approach to building internet-based businesses.

His early professional career is not detailed in the provided information, but his founding of 3721.com in the late 1990s indicates that he was among the first generation of Chinese entrepreneurs to recognize the commercial potential of the internet. 3721.com, which specialized in keyword-based search and domain name services, was a pioneering venture in China’s nascent online ecosystem. The company’s acquisition by Yahoo in 2003 for $120 million marked a significant milestone, not only for Zhou personally but also for the broader Chinese tech industry, demonstrating that domestic startups could achieve global recognition and valuation.

While the provided data does not include information about his personal life prior to his entrepreneurial ventures, it is clear that Zhou’s early experiences in the tech sector shaped his strategic thinking and risk tolerance. His ability to identify market gaps—such as the need for localized search services in China—and his willingness to challenge established players (like traditional antivirus software vendors with Qihoo 360) reflect a mindset forged in the competitive and rapidly evolving environment of China’s internet industry.

His educational background at Xi'an Jiaotong University, combined with his early success in the tech sector, positioned him as a key figure in China’s digital transformation. The university’s emphasis on engineering and innovation likely played a role in his technical acumen, while the broader context of China’s economic liberalization in the 1990s and 2000s provided the fertile ground for his entrepreneurial ambitions to take root.

Zhou Hongyi’s path to wealth is a testament to his ability to identify and capitalize on emerging opportunities in China’s internet economy. His journey began with the founding of 3721.com, an early search engine that introduced keyword-based advertising and domain name services to the Chinese market. The company’s acquisition by Yahoo in 2003 for $120 million provided Zhou with his first major liquidity event and established him as a tech entrepreneur with a proven track record.

Building on this success, Zhou founded Qihoo 360 in 2005, initially as a cybersecurity provider offering free antivirus software. This model, which disrupted the traditional paid antivirus market, quickly gained market share and positioned Qihoo as a dominant player in China’s internet security space. The company’s pivot to a freemium model—offering core services for free while monetizing through advertising and premium features—mirrored global trends but was executed with a distinctly Chinese approach, leveraging the country’s massive user base and mobile-first adoption.

Qihoo’s initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange in 2011 marked a high point in Zhou’s wealth accumulation. The company’s market capitalization peaked at over $10 billion, and Zhou’s stake was valued in the billions. However, by 2015, the company faced increasing pressure from U.S. investors and regulatory scrutiny, prompting Zhou to propose a privatization deal. The $9.3 billion buyout, completed in 2016, was one of the largest private equity transactions in China’s tech history and reflected Zhou’s belief that the company’s true value was not being recognized in the U.S. market.

The subsequent relisting in China in 2018 via a backdoor merger with a state-owned shell company was a strategic move to tap into domestic capital markets, which were more receptive to tech firms with strong user bases and government-aligned business models. The relisting was met with initial enthusiasm, with shares surging in the first days of trading. However, the stock’s performance has since been volatile, influenced by broader market conditions, regulatory crackdowns on tech giants, and competition from domestic rivals like Tencent and Alibaba.

Zhou’s wealth has also been shaped by his diversification into fintech through 360 DigiTech, which went public on Nasdaq in 2020. The company provides credit scoring and lending services, leveraging data analytics and AI to assess creditworthiness in China’s underbanked population. While this venture has added a new revenue stream and valuation component to Zhou’s portfolio, it has also exposed him to regulatory risks associated with China’s tightening oversight of the fintech sector.

A significant inflection point in Zhou’s wealth history occurred in 2023, when he transferred $1.3 billion in Qihoo 360 shares to his ex-wife, Hu Huan, as part of a divorce settlement. This transaction, while reducing his personal stake, did not alter his control over the company or his role as CEO and chairman. It did, however, highlight the personal and financial complexities that can accompany extreme wealth, particularly in jurisdictions where divorce laws may require substantial asset division.

Looking ahead, Zhou’s wealth will likely continue to be influenced by the performance of 360 Security Technology and 360 DigiTech, as well as broader trends in China’s tech sector. The government’s emphasis on “common prosperity” and its crackdown on monopolistic practices have created an environment of uncertainty for tech billionaires, and Zhou’s ability to adapt to these changes will be critical to preserving and growing his wealth in the coming years.

Zhou Hongyi’s empire is anchored in cybersecurity and digital finance, with Qihoo 360 as its core. The company’s pivot from a U.S.-listed entity to a Shanghai-listed firm in 2018 reflects strategic recalibration amid tightening U.S.-China tech regulations. Qihoo 360’s dominance in China’s consumer security software market—estimated at over 80% penetration—creates a formidable moat, but also concentrates risk in a single jurisdiction. The parallel operation of 360 DigiTech on Nasdaq introduces cross-border capital exposure, balancing domestic control with international liquidity. This dual-listing structure is not merely financial—it’s geopolitical, allowing Zhou to hedge regulatory risk while maintaining operational sovereignty in China.

The empire’s architecture reveals a deliberate diversification beyond pure security: Qihoo’s search engine, browser, and mobile OS integrations create a data-rich ecosystem. This vertical integration enables cross-selling and behavioral targeting, but also invites antitrust scrutiny. Zhou’s control over both the security layer and the data layer positions him uniquely in China’s digital infrastructure, but also makes him a focal point for state oversight. The empire’s durability hinges on its ability to navigate the tension between innovation and compliance, especially as China’s cybersecurity laws evolve.

Zhou Hongyi’s leadership is marked by aggressive entrepreneurship and adaptive pragmatism. His early success with 3721.com—sold to Yahoo—demonstrates a knack for identifying market gaps and monetizing them before regulatory or competitive pressures mount. As CEO of Qihoo 360, he has maintained a hands-on, product-driven approach, often personally involved in product launches and public disputes. This style fosters agility but risks over-reliance on his vision, especially in a sector where technological disruption is constant.

His leadership also reflects a deep understanding of China’s political economy. Zhou’s decision to delist from the NYSE and relist in Shanghai was not just financial—it was a strategic alignment with national priorities. He operates with a dual mandate: maximizing shareholder value while ensuring state compatibility. This balancing act requires constant recalibration, and his ability to maintain both investor confidence and regulatory favor is a testament to his political acumen. However, it also creates governance risks: decisions may be influenced more by political expediency than pure market logic.

Zhou’s capital allocation strategy is characterized by aggressive reinvestment in core competencies and strategic diversification. Qihoo 360’s R&D spending remains high, focused on AI-driven threat detection and cloud security—areas where China’s state-backed initiatives align with private sector innovation. The company’s acquisition of smaller security firms and integration of their technologies into its ecosystem reflect a “buy-and-build” approach, aimed at consolidating market share and enhancing product depth.

The allocation to 360 DigiTech—a fintech spin-off—represents a calculated bet on China’s credit infrastructure. By leveraging Qihoo’s user base and data analytics, 360 DigiTech offers credit scoring and lending services, tapping into a high-growth, underpenetrated market. This diversification reduces reliance on security software alone, but introduces new risks: credit risk, regulatory scrutiny in financial services, and potential conflicts of interest between the two entities. Zhou’s capital discipline is evident in his avoidance of speculative ventures, but the concentration in China’s domestic market remains a structural vulnerability.

Zhou Hongyi’s empire faces multiple layers of risk. Regulatory exposure is paramount: China’s cybersecurity laws, data privacy regulations, and antitrust enforcement have intensified since Qihoo’s relisting. The company’s deep integration into China’s digital infrastructure makes it a potential target for state intervention, especially if it is perceived as a national security asset. The dual-listing structure also creates compliance complexity, with Nasdaq rules potentially conflicting with Chinese regulations.

Reputational risk is another concern. Qihoo 360 has faced criticism for aggressive marketing tactics, including bundling software with unwanted programs and alleged data harvesting. While these practices may be common in China’s competitive tech landscape, they could attract international scrutiny, especially as 360 DigiTech expands globally. Geopolitical risk is also significant: U.S.-China tech decoupling could impact 360 DigiTech’s Nasdaq listing, while domestic political shifts could alter the regulatory environment for Qihoo 360. Zhou’s personal brand is tightly linked to the company’s fortunes, making him a lightning rod for criticism.

Zhou Hongyi’s philanthropic activities are relatively low-profile compared to his business profile. There is no public record of large-scale charitable foundations or major donations under his name, which is not uncommon among Chinese tech entrepreneurs who often channel giving through corporate CSR programs or state-aligned initiatives. Qihoo 360 has supported cybersecurity education and digital literacy programs in China, but these are often framed as corporate social responsibility rather than personal philanthropy.

This restrained approach may reflect a strategic choice: in China’s political context, overt philanthropy can attract unwanted attention or be interpreted as a challenge to state authority. Zhou’s focus on building a durable business empire may also leave less bandwidth for large-scale charitable endeavors. However, as his wealth and influence grow, there may be increasing pressure—both from the state and from global peers—to formalize and scale his philanthropic efforts, particularly in areas like education, cybersecurity, and digital inclusion.

Zhou Hongyi’s influence in Chinese politics is indirect but significant. As a major player in China’s cybersecurity sector, he operates at the intersection of private enterprise and national security. His company’s products are widely used by government agencies and state-owned enterprises, giving him a de facto role in shaping China’s digital defense infrastructure. This positions him as a key interlocutor between the private sector and the state, particularly in areas like data governance and cyber sovereignty.

His political influence is also evident in his ability to navigate regulatory shifts. The smooth transition of Qihoo 360 from the NYSE to Shanghai was facilitated by his understanding of China’s political priorities and his ability to align his business strategy with them. He is not a formal political figure, but his access to policymakers and his role in critical infrastructure give him substantial behind-the-scenes influence. This influence is a double-edged sword: it provides protection and opportunity, but also makes him vulnerable to political shifts and policy reversals.

Zhou Hongyi’s legacy will likely be defined by his role in shaping China’s cybersecurity landscape. He was among the first to recognize the commercial potential of consumer security software in China, and his company’s dominance in the market has made him a pioneer in the sector. His ability to pivot Qihoo 360 from a U.S.-listed entity to a Shanghai-listed one also sets a precedent for other Chinese tech firms navigating geopolitical headwinds.

His legacy is also tied to his entrepreneurial resilience. From founding 3721.com to building Qihoo 360 into a national champion, Zhou has demonstrated an ability to adapt to changing market and regulatory conditions. However, his legacy may also be marred by controversies around data privacy and aggressive business practices. As China’s tech sector matures, his ability to balance innovation with compliance will be a key determinant of his long-term reputation. His influence on China’s digital infrastructure ensures that his legacy will extend beyond his lifetime, shaping the country’s approach to cybersecurity and data governance.

• Profile: Zhou Hongyi
• Qihoo 360 Corporate Website
• 360 DigiTech SEC Filings
• China Cybersecurity Law (2017)