Zhang Yiming
Founder of ByteDance, the company behind TikTok
- Age
- 43 yrs
- Birthday in 146 days
- Works listed
- 0
- Career highlights
- Honours
- 0
- Awards & distinctions
- Profile views
- 7
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Zhang Yiming is a Chinese internet entrepreneur who founded ByteDance in 2012. Its algorithm-driven apps Toutiao, Douyin and TikTok became among the most popular in the world. He stepped down as CEO in 2021 and is among the richest people in China.
Biography
Background
Zhang studied software engineering at Nankai University. He worked at the travel site Kuxun, briefly at Microsoft and founded the property site 99fang.
ByteDance
In 2012 he founded ByteDance in a Beijing apartment. Its news app Toutiao used machine learning to personalise feeds.
Douyin and TikTok
ByteDance launched Douyin in 2016 and TikTok abroad in 2017, merging it with Musical.ly in 2018. TikTok became one of the most downloaded apps worldwide.
Stepping back
He stepped down as CEO in 2021, handing over to Liang Rubo. TikTok faced US pressure to divest, leading to a 2025–26 deal for a US joint venture.
Timeline
-
1983
Born in Longyan, Fujian, China
-
2012
Founds ByteDance
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2012
Toutiao
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2016
Douyin
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2017
TikTok launched abroad
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2018
Merges with Musical.ly
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2021
Steps down as CEO
Did you know?
-
1
He has been described as one of China’s most private billionaires.
-
2
He moved to Singapore after stepping down.
-
3
ByteDance became one of the world’s most valuable start-ups.
Connections
Frequently asked
Who is Zhang Yiming?
Zhang Yiming is a Chinese internet entrepreneur who founded ByteDance in 2012. Its algorithm-driven apps Toutiao, Douyin and TikTok became among the most popular in the world. He stepped down as CEO in 2021 and is among the richest people in China.
How old is Zhang Yiming?
Zhang Yiming is 43 years old, born on 1 April 1983 in Longyan, Fujian, China.
Where is Zhang Yiming from?
Zhang Yiming was born in Longyan, Fujian, China.
What is Zhang Yiming known for?
Zhang Yiming is best known for Founding ByteDance (2012); Toutiao; Douyin and TikTok; recommendation algorithms.
References
- Zhang Yiming — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
- Zhang Yiming (Q63306804) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 4 November 2026.
Includes material from the Wikipedia article “Zhang Yiming”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. That text is available under the same licence. Learn more
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editorial team; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal under our editorial policy
- First published 4 November 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Zhang Yiming.” TrackFame, last updated 5 November 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/zhang-yiming
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