Forrest Li is a Chinese-born entrepreneur who made a name for himself as the founder and chairman of the prominent internet company, SEA Group. Born in 1977 in Shenyang, China, Li was raised by his factory-worker parents in a modest household. Despite coming from humble beginnings, Li showed an aptitude for technology and business from a young age. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and went on to earn a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Li’s entrepreneurial journey began when he joined a startup company called Phoenix Wireless in 2004. He quickly rose through the ranks and was soon promoted to CEO, where he gained valuable experience in managing and growing a business. With his eyes set on the rapidly expanding Southeast Asian market, Li left Phoenix Wireless in 2009 to found SEA Group. The company’s first venture, Garena, quickly gained success as a leading online gaming platform. Since then, SEA Group has expanded to become a multinational conglomerate with subsidiaries in e-commerce, digital payments, and other internet services.
Today, Li is recognized as one of the most successful entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia. With a personal net worth of over US$11 billion, he has been listed on Forbes’ list of billionaires and continues to expand SEA Group’s reach in