Tencent was founded in 1998 by Ma Huateng and four co-founders in Shenzhen, China, initially as an instant messaging service called OICQ.
The company serves over 1.3 billion monthly active users across WeChat and generates more than $85 billion in annual revenue through gaming, fintech, and advertising.
Headquartered in Shenzhen, China, Tencent trades on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under ticker 0700 today.
About Tencent
| Sector | Technology / Conglomerate |
| Industry | Social Media, Gaming, Fintech |
| CEO | Ma Huateng (Pony Ma) |
| Website | tencent.com |
| Headquarters | Shenzhen, China |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Status | Public (HKEX: 0700) |
Tencent Founders
Ma Huateng (Pony Ma)
Co-Founder & CEO
Zhang Zhidong
Co-Founder & Former CTO
Xu Chenye
Co-Founder
Chen Yidan
Co-Founder & Former Chief Administrative Officer
Zeng Liqing
Co-Founder
Tencent History
-
1998
Ma Huateng and four co-founders establish Tencent in Shenzhen, launching the OICQ instant messaging platform.
-
2004
Tencent lists on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, raising HK$1.6 billion in its initial public offering.
-
2011
Tencent launches WeChat, which grows into the world's most-used messaging and super-app platform.
-
2013
Tencent acquires a controlling stake in Riot Games, maker of League of Legends, expanding its global gaming reach.
-
2021
Chinese regulators impose sweeping restrictions on gaming and tech companies, triggering a sharp decline in Tencent's market value.
FAQs
-
Who owns Tencent?
Tencent is publicly traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Naspers, via its subsidiary Prosus, is the largest outside shareholder with roughly 25%. Co-founder Ma Huateng holds a significant stake and serves as CEO. -
Is Tencent an American company?
No. Tencent Holdings Limited is a Chinese multinational technology company headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China. It was founded in 1998 by Ma Huateng and is one of China's largest and most valuable corporations. -
Who made the Tencent logo?
Tencent's penguin mascot, known as "Qie Penguin," was designed internally in the late 1990s and became the company's enduring symbol. The current corporate wordmark and brand identity were developed by Tencent's in-house design team. -
When did Tencent come out?
Tencent was founded on November 11, 1998, in Shenzhen, China. Its first product, OICQ, launched in February 1999. The company went public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on June 16, 2004.
