Tencent

Tencent is a Chinese multinational technology conglomerate and holding company headquartered in Shenzhen. Its subsidiaries market Internet-related services and products, including in entertainment, artificial intelligence, and other technology. It operates the instant messengers Tencent QQ and WeChat. Tencent Games offers interactive entertainment through over 140 self-developed and licensed games across 200 countries and regions.

Tencent was founded in 1998 and is headquartered in Shenzhen, China. Its founders were Pony Ma, Zhang Zhidong, Xu Chenye, Charles Chen and Zeng Liqing, in November 1998. Its associated stock-market-listed variable interest entity, Tencent Holdings Ltd, is incorporated in the Cayman Islands. Tencent has stakes in over 600 companies.

Tencent launched Weixin, a social media app now branded as WeChat, on 21 January 2011. Tencent Holdings was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on 16 June 2004. Its Cloud & Smart Industries Group promotes the company's cloud and industry internet strategy.