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Fred Chang

Fred Chang is a Taiwanese-born American entrepreneur best known as the founder of , Inc., an company specializing in , , and related products. Born in , Chang immigrated to the and initially worked in the technology distribution sector, including a stint at , before launching his own ventures. In 1990, he founded ABS Computer Technologies, Inc., a mail-order computer retailer that served as the predecessor to . Chang established in January 2001 in the , initially focusing on providing a user-friendly online platform for PC enthusiasts and gamers to purchase components and peripherals. Under his leadership as and chairman, expanded rapidly, achieving annual sales exceeding $2.6 billion by the mid-2010s and becoming one of the largest online electronics retailers in . Chang stepped down as CEO in 2008 but continued in executive roles, including resuming as global CEO in later years, while guiding 's international growth and operations in . In July 2025, Chang resigned from Commerce, Inc.'s , marking the end of his formal involvement with the company he built, though he remains recognized for pioneering tech sales in the early era.

Early life and education

Early life

Fred Chang was born in 1957 in under the Chinese name 張法俊. After completing his formal education in , Chang immigrated to the , settling in .

Education

Fred Chang attended the in , , where he earned a degree in . He completed his studies prior to his immigration to the . This educational foundation laid the groundwork for his later entrepreneurial pursuits in the and sectors.

Business career

Early ventures

Before founding , Fred Chang owned and operated ABS Computers, a mail-order company based in , which he established in the late . The business specialized in assembling and selling high-end and gaming systems, primarily through catalog-based sales targeted at computer hobbyists and custom builders who sought specialized hardware. Operating in the pre-e-commerce era, ABS Computers encountered significant challenges, including the logistical complexities of mail-order fulfillment and intense competition in the burgeoning PC market. A key hurdle was shifting customer preferences: while focused on built-to-order systems, buyers increasingly favored purchasing individual components to assemble their own machines, prompting Chang to adapt his approach. This experience directly informed Chang's pivot to online sales, leading to the transition from ABS Computers as a predecessor entity to the launch of in 2001, which expanded the model digitally to better serve component-focused customers.

Founding of Newegg

Fred Chang, a Taiwanese immigrant and former executive in the tech industry, founded Inc. in January 2001 in , alongside co-founders Ken Lam and Howard Tong, using a $100,000 seed loan to launch the online retailer amid the recovery from the dot-com bust. The company emerged from Chang's prior experience with ABS Computers, a custom PC builder that highlighted demand for individual components among tech enthusiasts. The name "Newegg" was selected to evoke new hope and beginnings for , reflecting Chang's Taiwanese roots and optimism for the sector's revival following the early market crash. From its inception, differentiated itself by focusing exclusively on online sales of and parts, such as graphics cards, microprocessors, and motherboards, targeting do-it-yourself (DIY) builders, , and tech-savvy consumers rather than broad general merchandise. This niche approach addressed a gap left by traditional retailers, emphasizing detailed product information, customer reviews, and fast shipping to appeal to hobbyists assembling custom systems. Newegg experienced rapid adoption in the early , capitalizing on growing interest in personal computing and , with annual sales reaching approximately $1.3 billion by 2005—a 30% increase from the previous year and reflective of over 300% cumulative growth since launch. The platform's emphasis on high repeat business, with 80% of orders from returning customers and an average order value of $250, underscored its early success in building loyalty among its core audience of component-focused buyers.

Leadership and expansion

Fred Chang served as CEO and Chairman of Newegg from its founding in 2001 until August 2008, during which he guided the company's early growth as an online retailer focused on and enthusiast markets. Under his leadership, Newegg expanded its product offerings and operational scale, achieving significant revenue milestones by the mid-2010s, including annual sales of $2.6 billion by 2014. In August 2008, Chang stepped down as CEO and Chairman to concentrate on establishing Newegg's operations in , while remaining a member of the and Executive Committee. He returned to the CEO role in August 2010 following the departure of his successor, Tally Liu, and held the position until 2019. During this period, Chang navigated key strategic challenges, including filing for an (IPO) with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in 2010, which was withdrawn in 2011 amid unfavorable market conditions. Chang's second tenure as CEO emphasized global expansion and product diversification to broaden Newegg's appeal beyond its core PC components market. The company began extending its reach internationally in the mid-2010s, launching localized sites and shipping options in markets such as the , , , , and , with further growth in the late 2010s reaching over 79 countries across , , , and the as of 2023. This international push aligned with Chang's vision of serving tech-savvy consumers worldwide, building on the enthusiast-focused foundation he established at Newegg's inception. Newegg also diversified into , peripherals, home appliances, and services, including the relaunch of its PC brand and the introduction of in 2017 to support end-to-end supply chain solutions. These initiatives helped solidify Newegg's position as a leading platform for technology products during a decade of rapid online retail growth.

Later roles

In December 2019, Fred Chang transitioned from his role as of to become vice chairman of the board and chairman of the strategy committee, allowing him to focus on long-term strategic oversight while remaining deeply involved in the company's direction. Under Chang's strategic leadership, pursued a public listing in through a reverse merger with Lianluo Smart Limited, a , which valued the combined entity at approximately $4 billion and resulted in Newegg Commerce, Inc. trading on the under the ticker NEGG. Chang retained approximately 36% ownership in the post-merger company through entities he controlled, maintaining significant influence over its operations and . Chang's substantial stake in , estimated at over 50% in earlier assessments, has been a key factor in his recognition as a , with his debut on the list in 2013 and ranking at #1940 on list in 2017. As of 2023, Chang continued to exert ongoing influence on 's operations from his residence in , guiding strategic decisions amid the company's evolution in the e-commerce landscape. However, on July 8, 2025, Chang resigned from the board of directors, creating a vacancy amid ongoing corporate developments including shareholder loan issues; the vacancy was filled in August 2025 by appointing CEO Anthony Chow to the board.

Personal life

Family

Fred Chang is married to Irene Chang. Together, they established the in October 2015 as a mechanism for . The trust holds significant shares in , Inc., reflecting the family's structured approach to ownership and succession planning as documented in SEC filings. Chang and his wife are parents to at least two children, whose names remain private. Under the terms of the , the children are designated as equal beneficiaries in the event of Chang's if Chang does not survive him, ensuring equitable distribution of trust assets. This arrangement underscores the family's involvement in trusts tied to operations, as evidenced by multiple regulatory disclosures.

Residence and citizenship

Fred Chang, originally from , immigrated to the and later acquired citizenship through . Following his immigration, Chang established his early residences in , including Whittier and the City of Industry area, where he built the foundations of his business ventures. By the , he relocated his primary residence to , maintaining strong ties to both countries.

References

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