Chen ranked 10th on the 2026 Hurun China Rich List, with his wealth rising 14% from the previous year. His sudden appearance among the country’s richest reflects the rapid growth of AI‑chip businesses.

Cambricon, often called the “Nvidia of China,” has ridden a wave of demand for domestically produced AI chips. Chinese tech firms are expanding AI infrastructure, creating a strong market for the company’s processors.

Hurun reported that the Shanghai‑listed firm’s market capitalization has approached $100 billion, driven by surging processor demand and its recent shift to profitability. The financial boost has directly increased Chen’s personal wealth.

Chen founded Cambricon in 2016 with his older brother, Chen Yunji, and the company went public on Shanghai’s STAR Market in 2020. The timing matched China’s policy push for home‑grown chip alternatives to U.S. technology.

AI‑related entrepreneurs now make up roughly one in ten of the billionaires on the list, showing a broader shift toward AI and advanced technology in China’s wealth rankings. Chen’s rise illustrates how the AI‑chip boom can create massive fortunes.