Cher Wang, Taiwan's tech titan and philanthropist powering change across borders

Early life and education shaped by a family legacy

Born on 14 September 1958 in Taipei, Taiwan, Cher Wang is the daughter of Wang Yung-ching, the founder of Formosa Plastics Group, one of Taiwan’s largest industrial conglomerates. Wang’s upbringing instilled in her the values of hard work, discipline, and the importance of education. She pursued her studies in the United States, earning a degree in economics from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1981. Her father’s influence was profound; he often sent her letters while she was abroad, filled with advice on ethics, discipline, and effective management – lessons that would shape her future business ventures.

Co-founding VIA Technologies and HTC

In 1987, Wang co-founded VIA Technologies, a company specialising in motherboard chipsets, central processing units (CPUs), and memory. With a vision of creating accessible technology, VIA quickly gained a foothold in the semiconductor industry. In 1997, she co-founded HTC Corporation, initially focusing on notebook computers before pivoting to what would soon become her game-changing endeavour: smartphones. Under Wang’s leadership, HTC was one of the first companies to develop Android-powered devices, introducing products like the HTC Dream, the first Android smartphone in 2008. HTC also led in the development of the first Microsoft-powered smartphone, pioneering many features that set the stage for today’s mobile technology.

Despite HTC’s challenges in recent years, Wang remains committed to driving the company forward. In 2020, she resumed her role as CEO to refocus HTC’s vision, pivoting toward the emerging markets of virtual reality (VR) and the Internet of Things (IoT). The HTC VIVE, the company’s VR headset, has become a prominent name in VR innovation, symbolising her commitment to redefining technology’s potential. Wang believes that VR could revolutionise fields from education to healthcare, remarking that it could open doors to new ways of learning and connecting across the globe.

Wang’s philanthropic legacy

Wang’s commitment to philanthropy is as impressive as her business achievements. She has a strong focus on education, especially for underprivileged communities. In 2011, she donated 800 million TWD ($28.1 million) to establish Guizhou Forerunner College in southwest China, a school that offers three-year vocational courses for students from low-income families, with several programs provided entirely free of charge. She hopes the school will become a model for similar institutions, stating that her greatest joy comes from seeing young people get the education they deserve and become agents of change in their communities. Her vision extends beyond education to economic empowerment, as many of the college’s programs focus on providing students with skills that can lead to immediate employment opportunities.

In addition to her work in mainland China, Wang has donated millions to her alma mater, UC Berkeley, funding various initiatives that support academic exchange and collaborative research. Notably, she supports a joint psychology programme between UC Berkeley and Tsinghua University in Beijing, fostering research and dialogue between scholars from different cultural backgrounds.

Wang also supports multiple charities in Taiwan and abroad, contributing to healthcare and disaster relief. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she donated large amounts of personal protective equipment (PPE) and funds to hospitals in Taiwan, and her efforts extended to underserved communities in the U.S. and Africa. 

Reimagining HTC’s future

With the global tech landscape rapidly evolving, Wang has steered HTC toward new frontiers. In 2024, HTC partnered with several educational institutions to pilot VR-based training programs in Asia and North America. These programs aim to introduce VR as a learning tool for fields such as medicine and engineering, enabling immersive, hands-on training experiences. By bringing VR technology into the classroom, Wang hopes to make learning more interactive and transformative, especially in regions where access to advanced resources may be limited.

This year, HTC also announced a collaboration with several healthcare providers to use VR for mental health therapy, a field that Wang believes has untapped potential. With VR becoming increasingly recognised for its therapeutic applications, HTC has introduced software that helps users manage anxiety and stress, illustrating her belief in technology’s capacity to address global mental health challenges. HTC’s new product lines focus on wearable devices and VR applications that aid in both professional settings and daily life, signifying her ongoing commitment to blending technological innovation with practical human needs.

Personal philosophy and the art of staying grounded

Despite her vast achievements, Wang remains known for her modesty and grounded nature. Often flying on budget airlines and wearing simple attire to work, she rarely indulges in luxury, choosing instead to invest her resources into causes that align with her values. In Taiwan, she is known for her down-to-earth attitude, often seen visiting communities and personally overseeing her charitable projects. Her employees and colleagues describe her as someone who leads by example, someone who embodies the values she preaches, especially humility and generosity.

In interviews, Wang has shared that her spiritual beliefs play a large role in her life and decisions. She speaks openly about how her faith influences her business ethics, with a focus on fairness and integrity. She considers her work an extension of her faith, stating that she views success not by wealth or influence but by the lives impacted positively.

Celebrating a legacy of impact

Wang’s contributions to technology and philanthropy have garnered global recognition. In 2011, Forbes named Wang and her husband, Wen Chi Chen, as the wealthiest individuals in Taiwan, with a net worth of $8.8 billion. She has appeared on Forbes’ lists of the world’s most powerful women multiple times, ranking 54th in 2014. Additionally, she received the World Economic Forum’s Crystal Award, which honours leaders who improve the world through arts, culture, and societal commitment. Wang’s achievements stand as a testament to her dedication and far-reaching influence.

Despite the accolades, Wang often downplays her achievements, viewing them as milestones in a lifelong journey rather than endpoints. Her legacy, as she describes it, lies not in wealth or status but in the opportunity to leave a meaningful impact on people’s lives.

The future of tech and compassion

Cher Wang’s journey is far from over. With HTC exploring new possibilities in AI, VR, and healthcare, Wang is determined to keep pushing boundaries. She has hinted at an upcoming HTC project aimed at connecting users through a global VR platform, allowing people to share experiences across borders in real-time, fostering what she calls ‘a sense of global unity.’

Wang’s life reflects an inspiring balance of innovation and philanthropy. She is a leader who sees technology as a force for good, a bridge to a better future. As she continues to evolve HTC’s portfolio and expand her charitable initiatives, Cher Wang remains a powerful example of how vision, resilience, and compassion can transform industries and lives alike.