Eric Yong Xu, also known as Xu Yong, is a co-founder of Baidu and founder and chairman of Yifang Capital. Trained in biology, he later worked across entrepreneurship, investment and educational philanthropy.[1][2]
Start with Xu Family Foundation: education and research projects →
Education
Links
Foundation biography Foundation projectsFounder and chairman · Yifang Capital
Founder · Xu Family Charitable Foundation
Career
Xu studied biology at Peking University and earned his doctorate at Texas A&M. He conducted postdoctoral research at UC Berkeley in 1994–1996, then worked in California biotechnology companies. His founder biography describes co-founding Baidu with Robin Li and serving as executive vice president and chief strategy officer in its early years.[1]
Contributions
Xu’s role in Baidu was commercial and strategic leadership during the company’s formation. In a Peking University talk, he connected that experience with entrepreneurship, company culture and advice to technology startups on financing and development. This history establishes his place in Baidu’s founding; it does not make him a current leader of its AI research.[2]
Supporting education and research
His foundation describes programmes supporting teacher development, students and university research talent. Examples include a Peking University life-sciences talent fund and education funds administered with Beijing Normal University. These project descriptions show how his later work directs resources toward education and research, distinct from designing an AI model.[3]
Tools, writing & talks
Writing, research & talks
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Xu Family Foundation: education and research projectsxufoundation.orgPrimary descriptions of teacher development, student support and university talent programmes.
Read one project’s partner, duration and stated purpose. No technical background is required; this is an entry to his public institutional work, not evidence of a current role in AI-model development.