The question of who created Xiaomi is not just for tech enthusiasts, but for business analysts around the world, and in a matter of years, the company has gone from being a small startup to a global giant offering smartphones, appliances and even electric cars, and the answer lies in the personality of a charismatic entrepreneur who has managed to combine cutting-edge technology with affordable prices.
The founder is Lei Jun, who launched the project in 2010, and his vision was to create an ecosystem of smart devices where software plays as much a role as hardware, an approach that has allowed the brand to become one of the leaders in the global market.
Xiaomi’s story is a classic example of how the right strategy and understanding of the consumer can turn the industry around, starting not with the device, but with the operating system, which was a unique advantage at the start.
Biography of founder Lei Jun
Lei Jun was born in 1969 in China and had an interest in computer technology from his youth, graduated from Wuhan University, where he studied computer science, and stood out among his peers for his workability. Unlike many modern startups, Lei already had a wealth of business experience by the time the company was founded.
Before the brand, known to millions, he spent 16 years at Kingsoft, where he went from a regular programmer to CEO, and under his leadership, the software giant went public, but Lei dreamed of creating his own product that would change people's lives, not just make a profit for shareholders.
⚠️ Note: Don’t confuse Lei Jun with the founders of other Chinese tech companies, and it was his personal philosophy of “always believing that the best is about to happen” that formed the basis of Xiaomi’s corporate culture.
In 2007, he sold his stake in Kingsoft and venture capitalized on several successful projects, a period that allowed him to accumulate the capital and connections he needed to start his own business, and by 2010, he was willing to risk everything for a new idea.
Prerequisites for the establishment of the company in 2010
By the time Xiaomi was founded, the smartphone market was in a state of turbulence, dominated by Apple and Samsung, offering expensive flagships, while the budget segment was filled with low-quality devices.
The idea came from a user experience analysis, where Lay noticed that the software on many Android devices was slow and inconvenient, and he decided to create his own shell, which would be updated weekly based on user feedback, and that was the foundation for MIUI.
The ambitious plan required a strong team, and Lei assembled a group of like-minded tech companies like Google, Motorola, and Microsoft, all united by a desire to break the rules of the game and offer the consumer something new.
Why is it Xiaomi?
Founders and key figures in the history of the brand
Although Lei Jun is the face of the company, Xiaomi was founded by a group of eight people jokingly referred to as the “Eight Bandits,” each responsible for a critical area, ensuring a balance between hardware, software and marketing.
Among the key figures, Lin Bin, a former Google engineer who was instrumental in developing mobile strategy, also included the hardware experts at Motorola and the design specialists who created the recognizable interface style.
- 👨💻 Lei Jun – Founder, Chairman and CEO, Strategic Visionary.
- 📱 Lin Bin, Co-Founder, Responsible for Software Development and International Markets.
- ⚙️ Huang Jiangping, one of the first employees, played a key role in the creation of the first hardware platform.
- 🎨 Li Wanqiang was responsible for the industrial design of the first devices, setting the standards for the aesthetics of the brand.
This diverse set of founders has allowed the company to avoid the typical startup mistakes of focusing on just one area, creating a balanced product where design, functionality and price are in perfect harmony.
Evolution of the business model: from software to ecosystem
What was unique about Lei Jun’s approach was to abandon the traditional sales model: Xiaomi didn’t spend millions on advertising in its early years; instead, the company used social media and word of mouth to sell smartphones exclusively online.
The business model was built on three pillars: hardware, Internet services, and retail; the profits from the sale of devices were minimal (less than 5%), which kept prices extremely low; the main income was planned to be generated from the sale of accessories, services and software in the future.
| Year | Key event | Importance to the company |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Founding of the company and launching MIUI | Starting to develop your own ecosystem |
| 2011 | Proof of the concept of “flagship at the price of the state employee” | |
| 2014 | Xiaomi is the largest vendor in China | Global recognition and entry into the global market |
| 2018 | IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange | Official confirmation of the status of a global corporation |
| 2021 | Announcement of the strategy “Smartphone x AIoT” | Focus on the integration of smart home and artificial intelligence |
Today, the company continues to expand its ecosystem to include new product categories, from toothbrushes and robot vacuum cleaners to scooters and TVs, all working together under one account.
☑️ Signs of the original Xiaomi device
MIUI philosophy and user connection
One of the main reasons for the success was the MIUI software, which Lei Jun insisted on users being involved in the development process, and every Friday a new firmware version was released to fix bugs found by the community on the forum.
This approach created a loyal community of fans called "Mi Fans," who felt they were involved in the product, offered ideas for new features, and defended the brand in disputes with competitors, and formed a powerful cultural layer around the company.
⚠️ Note: When buying Xiaomi devices, pay attention to the firmware version. The global version (Global) is different from the Chinese version (CN) Google services and language support are critical for use outside of China.
MIUI offered features that were not available in Android stock long before they were introduced to the main system, and customization, themes, customization, all made smartphone usage more comfortable and personalized.
Current state and plans for the future
Today, Xiaomi is not just a phone maker; it is a conglomerate investing in hundreds of startups through its Xiaomi Ecosystem platform, and is actively pursuing 5G, artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things.
Lei Jun’s ambitions extend far beyond mobile devices, and in 2021, the company announced the launch of its own Xiaomi SU7 electric car, a logical extension of its smart-life strategy, positioning the car as part of a single ecosystem.
- 🚀 Innovation – The company invests billions of dollars in R&D each year, opening new labs around the world.
- 🌍 Globalization – the brand’s products are officially sold in more than 100 countries.
- 🤖 Robotics – demonstration of prototypes of humanoid robots CyberDog and CyberOne shows the vector of development.
The “Phone x AIoT” strategy (smartphone plus artificial intelligence of things) remains central, with the smartphone serving as the remote control for all smart appliances in the user’s home, car and office.
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When choosing a Xiaomi smartphone, pay attention to the processor. The "Pro" or "Ultra" series models usually come with more powerful chips and better cameras than the base versions, which is important for long-term support for updates.
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Xiaomi created Lei Jun, but the company’s success is the result of a unique business model where margins are limited and profits are generated by an ecosystem of services and accessories.