On December 5, the “EY Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025” award ceremony, known as the “Oscars” of the business world, concluded successfully in Hong Kong. Mr. Wang Yanqing, Founder and Chairman of LEAD Group, stood out from numerous candidates and was awarded this prestigious honor for his entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering achievements in the field of new energy intelligent equipment. Indeed, he is the sole leader from the new energy manufacturing sector to receive this recognition.
As one of the most prestigious international business awards globally, the “EY Entrepreneur Of The Year” has been held annually since 1986, covering 79 countries and regions worldwide. The award recognizes business leaders who demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit, growth, goals, and impact, with a focus on innovation, global vision, and social responsibility. Previous recipients include big shots such as Cao Dewang from Fuyao Group and Wang Chuanfu from BYD.The award’s authority and industry recognition are highly esteemed.
This year, twelve entrepreneurs from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau received the honor. The distinction for Mr. Wang Yanqing is far more than an acknowledgement of his personal entrepreneurial journey. It marks a profound testimony to the transformation of China’s manufacturing industry from “catching up” to “leading the way.”
To be the first, not just a player: homegrown innovation to global tech dominance
Looking back on LEAD’s development, Chairman Wang Yanqing’s entrepreneurial story has always been closely tied to “technological breakthroughs” and “contributing to the nation’s industrial strength.” In 1999, he gave up his secure job at a state-owned factory.With the desire to “break through equipment bottlenecks”, and the determination to “be the best if we do it,” he led his team to achieve the domestication of capacitor equipment in just seven years. This not only broke the monopoly of foreign brands but also led to the export of their products to the U.S. and Japan, placing them among the top three in the global industry.
In 2008, with the rise of the new energy industry, Wang Yanqing quickly identified the opportunity and led the company to transform into the high-end lithium battery equipment sector. His team
established an independent innovation system, successfully overcoming core technologies such as stacking and winding. The equipment they developed now boasts high efficiency globally, and solid-state battery manufacturing technology holds a leadership position in the entire industry. This completely changed China’s dependence on imported high-end lithium battery equipment.
Innovation as the Core: Technical Strength Supporting Global Leadership
Chairman Wang Yanqing insists on driving development through innovation, holding 43 patents for inventions himself. Under his leadership, the company’s R&D investment has consistently accounted for more than 10% of revenue. It has now built a 1.8 million square meter R&D and manufacturing base, with more than 3,200 patents granted.
Now, LEAD has grown into a diversified leader in the new energy equipment sector, covering lithium batteries, photovoltaics, hydrogen energy, and intelligent logistics. According to the Q3 2025 performance report, the company achieved a revenue of 10.439 billion yuan (up 14.56% year-on-year) and a net profit of 1.186 billion yuan (up 94.97% year-on-year). With 19 subsidiaries globally, their products are sold to over 20 countries, deeply engaging with top global clients. LEAD continues to maintain the largest global market share in new energy equipment and has become a benchmark for China’s high-end equipment to venture on the global stage.
Responsibility Beyond Business: Industry Leadership and Value Creation
While leading the industry, Chairman Wang Yanqing has always upheld the corporate responsibility and mission of the times. In terms of globalization, the company promotes Chinese manufacturing’s integration into the core of the global supply chain. This is achivened through deep localization operations and technology exports. Consequently, the overseas business continues is experiencing rapid growth, providing Chinese solutions for the global energy transition. Beyond the market, LEAD has established the “Warm Light Public Welfare Fund” with an investment of 30 million yuan, focusing on educational support and rural revitalization. The company has also pioneered ESG practices by committing to the “2030 carbon peak, 2035 carbon neutrality” goals and building China’s first ISO 14068 certified “carbon-neutral factory,” contributing to global sustainable development through green manufacturing.
At the ceremony, Wang Yanqing expressed his gratitude: “I am honored to receive the ‘EY Entrepreneur’ award. LEAD’s development is a microcosm of China’s manufacturing transformation from small scale to large scope, from weak foundations to commanding strength. With the opportunities presented by the times and national policies, we have broken through foreign technological monopolies with innovation amid adversity, and have participated in global competition with an open attitude. In the future, I will continue to bring LEAD to scale new heights in intelligent manufacturing and work with the industry to contribute more to China’s high-quality development in intelligent manufacturing sector!”
