Duan Yongping reveals recent news about Huang Zheng: I heard he went to pursue a PhD, possibly studying life sciences.

GateUser-bd883c58 · 2026-04-06T14:53:02+00:00

Duan Yongping recently revealed that after resigning as Chairman of Pinduoduo, Huang Zheng might pursue a PhD to study life sciences. Duan Yongping has a close relationship with Huang Zheng and previously provided significant support during the early stages of Huang Zheng's entrepreneurial journey. He believes Huang Zheng has strong comprehension skills, which will have a profound impact on his future career.

GateUser-bd883c58

2026-04-06 14:53:02

Abstract generation in progress

Ask AI · How does Duan Yongping influence Huang Zheng’s career choices?

Kuai Technology April 5 news: Many people are curious—after Pinduoduo founder Huang Zheng stepped down as chairman, what exactly did he go on to do?

Recently, a new disclosure from well-known investor Duan Yongping may have provided the answer.

A netizen asked Duan Yongping on the Xueqiu platform: When Huang Zheng resigned 5 years ago, he said he wanted to “go feel the stones on the road 10 years from now”—is this “stone” the cross-border e-commerce platform Temu?

In response, Duan Yongping replied: “I heard he went to study for a PhD, mainly researching life sciences? I’m not sure of the specific situation. It’s been a long time since we last met.”

It’s reported that Huang Zheng stepped down as chairman of Pinduoduo in March 2021. At the time, he said he would devote himself to basic research in the fields of food science and life science.

As everyone knows, Duan Yongping and Huang Zheng have a close relationship. The two are a mentor and a standout protégé, as well as friends who are both teacher and guide.

Duan Yongping was the core angel investor when Huang Zheng founded Pinduoduo. In 2006, Duan Yongping bought Warren Buffett’s lunch for $620.1k. At the time, he brought along 26-year-old Huang Zheng, and provided key support in the early stages of entrepreneurship.

Last December, Duan Yongping talked about Huang Zheng in a dialogue program. He said that among the people he had been chatting with back then, Huang Zheng was one who was especially quick to grasp and understand.

Duan Yongping said that at the time, although Huang Zheng had never worked with a company before, he was able to understand what he had been saying. He believed that these words might help him in running a business in the future.

And Huang Zheng himself has also said that Duan Yongping is his mentor (teacher). But Duan Yongping said: “I’ve always treated Huang Zheng as a friend—and a very good kind of friend.”

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