Jensen Huang, the co-founder and CEO of Nvidia, is one of the most influential and successful figures in the tech industry. His company, which specializes in graphics processing units (GPUs) and artificial intelligence (AI), is worth nearly $2 trillion and has been at the forefront of innovation and transformation. But behind his impressive achievements lies a remarkable and inspiring life story, full of surprises and challenges. Here are 10 surprising facts about the “Godfather of AI”:
He was sent to a reform school by mistake
Huang’s childhood was not easy. Born in Taiwan, he moved to the US with his family when he was nine years old. He faced language and cultural barriers, and struggled to fit in. When he was 15, his family mistakenly sent him to a reform school in Kentucky, thinking it was a boarding school. There, he had to endure a harsh environment and even had to clean bathrooms as part of his daily chores.
He met his wife in an engineering class
Huang’s love life, however, was more fortunate. At the age of 16, he met his future wife, Lori, in an engineering class at Oregon State University. They fell in love and got married after graduating. They have two children, Spencer and Madison, and have been together for over 30 years.
He founded Nvidia over coffee and pancakes
Huang’s entrepreneurial journey began in 1993, when he and his friends, Chris Malachowsky and Curtis Priem, decided to start a company that would revolutionize the graphics industry. They brainstormed their idea over coffee and pancakes at a Denny’s restaurant in California, and came up with the name Nvidia, which stands for “invidia”, the Latin word for “envy”.
He has a tattoo of the Nvidia logo
Huang is so passionate about his company that he has a permanent reminder of it on his body. He has a tattoo of the Nvidia logo on his right shoulder, which he got in 2017 to celebrate the company’s 24th anniversary. He admitted that getting inked was a painful experience “that hurts way more than anybody tells you”.
He is known for his leather jacket
Huang’s signature style is his black leather jacket, which he wears at almost every public appearance. His jacket has become a fashion statement, inspiring knock-off versions online. He credits his wife and daughter for his iconic look, saying that they are his “stylists”.
He leads a large team of direct reports
Huang’s leadership style is unconventional. Unlike most CEOs who prefer a smaller inner circle, Huang has a large team of 50 direct reports, who are the heads of various departments and functions in Nvidia. He believes that this structure keeps information flowing and empowers everyone in the company.
He sends hundreds of short emails daily
Huang’s communication style is also unique. He is known for sending hundreds of short, sometimes blunt emails every day, to his employees, partners, and customers. Some describe his emails as “haikus” or “ransom notes”, highlighting their concise and potentially terse nature.
He is driven by fear of failure
Despite leading a successful and profitable company, Huang is constantly afraid of failing. He acknowledges that Nvidia has faced several near-death experiences in the past, such as the dot-com crash, the financial crisis, and the rise of mobile devices. These challenges have shaped his approach to business, which is to always innovate and adapt.
He wakes up “worried and concerned”
Huang does not wake up feeling proud or confident, but rather “worried and concerned”. He says that this constant anxiety fuels his determination to keep pushing Nvidia forward. He says that he is always looking for new opportunities and threats, and never takes anything for granted.
He discourages aspiring entrepreneurs
Huang does not sugarcoat the reality of starting a company. He openly discourages aspiring entrepreneurs from venturing into the startup world, saying that it is full of overwhelming challenges, hardships, and constant struggle. He says that only those who have a clear vision, a strong passion, and a high tolerance for pain should pursue entrepreneurship.
These facts reveal the complex and fascinating personality of Jensen Huang, the man who rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most influential and visionary leaders in the tech industry.
