Meituan Co-founder and AI Startup Founder Wang Huiwen Steps Down Due to Health Issues

Wang Huiwen, the co-founder of Meituan, China’s main e-commerce platform for companies, has stepped down from the corporate’s board of administrators due to well being causes, efficient from June 26, 2023. This marks Wang’s second departure from Meituan, the place he beforehand served as the corporate’s senior vice chairman and performed a vital function in guiding Meituan‘s transition from group shopping for to numerous companies together with meals supply, ride-hailing, and bike-sharing.

After retiring from his roles in Meituan in December 2020, Wang resurfaced within the digital world along with his notes on Web3 and later emerged on the forefront of a brand new AI wave. Leveraging his expertise and community, he based an AI firm known as Guannian Zhiwai (means Beyond the Light Year). The firm, nonetheless in its early phases, was swiftly backed by Wang Xing, a former companion and co-founder of Meituan, and apparently secured $230 million funding from giants like Tencent and Source Code Capital, though this was later denied by Wang Huiwen.

The Meituan board, composed of a handful of key people, expressed their heartfelt gratitude for Wang Huiwen’s vital contributions throughout his tenure. Following Wang’s resignation, Mu Rongjun was appointed because the approved consultant, efficient from June 26, 2023. The nomination committee will now encompass Leng Xuesong and Dr. Shen Xiangyang, with Leng Xuesong persevering with to function the chairman of the nomination committee.

SEE ALSO: Meituan Co-Founder Wang Huiwen’s Chinese Version of OpenAI Receives Support from Wang Xing

Wang Huiwen, regardless of his well being points, stays a distinguished determine within the tech business. In February 2023, he introduced the launch of his AI enterprise on the social media app “Instant”, revealing a private funding of $50 million for a 25% stake in his newly based firm, Guannian Zhiwai. His intention is to appeal to prime AI expertise and make breakthroughs akin to these achieved by OpenAI in China. The day after his announcement, the primary companion joined the enterprise: Liu Jiang, Deputy Director of the Beijing Institute of Smart Source AI.

Wang’s well being issues have led to hypothesis in regards to the potential impression on his new AI firm, which remains to be in its early phases and faces intense competitors within the AI business. However, along with his observe document of overcoming challenges at Meituan and his evident dedication to drive AI developments, the tech neighborhood is eagerly watching his subsequent strikes.

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