Ping Fu facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ping Fu
Born	1958 (age 66–67) Nanjing, China
Citizenship	American
Education	University of California, San Diego University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Alma mater	University of California, San Diego
Occupation	Vice President and Chief Entrepreneur Officer, 3D Systems
Employer	3D Systems
Notable work	Bend, Not Break: A Life In Two Worlds
Board member of	Long Now Foundation National Advisory Council for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Live Nation Entertainment

Ping Fu (born 1958) is a successful Chinese-American entrepreneur. She helped start a company called Geomagic. This company creates 3D software. She was the CEO of Geomagic until 2013. Then, another company, 3D Systems Inc., bought Geomagic. Since 2014, Ping Fu has been a Vice President and Chief Entrepreneur Officer at 3D Systems.

Ping Fu grew up in China during a difficult time called the Cultural Revolution. She moved to the United States in 1984. She started Geomagic in 1997 with her husband at the time, Herbert Edelsbrunner. She has won many awards for her work. For example, Inc. magazine named her "Entrepreneur of the Year" in 2005. In 2013, she wrote a book about her life called Bend, Not Break.

Early Life & Education

Ping Fu was born in 1958 in Nanjing, China. Her father was a professor at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics. She spent her childhood and early adult years in China. She grew up during the Cultural Revolution. During this time, she was separated from her parents for several years.

After the Cultural Revolution ended, she studied Chinese literature. She attended the college that later became Suzhou University. She later left school without graduating. She was told to leave the country.

Fu left China and came to the United States in January 1984. She first studied at the University of New Mexico. Later, she moved to San Diego to study computer science. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of California, San Diego. While studying, she worked part-time as a programmer. After graduating, she worked for Bell Labs. She then joined a Ph.D. program in computer science. This was at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). She completed a master's degree there.

Career Highlights

Working with Supercomputers

In the early 1990s, Ping Fu worked at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) at UIUC. She focused on computer graphics and making images. One of her projects was creating software for the liquid metal robot in the movie Terminator 2: Judgment Day.

While at NCSA, she supervised a student named Marc Andreessen. He helped develop Mosaic. This was an early internet browser that made the World Wide Web popular. Ping Fu was one of the managers who helped develop the idea for this browser. In 1994, she worked temporarily in Hong Kong. She returned to NCSA in 1995.

Starting Geomagic

In 1996, Marc Andreessen's company, Netscape, became very successful. This inspired UIUC to encourage new businesses. Ping Fu came up with an idea for a company. It would combine manufacturing and digital technology. This included 3D modeling software. She called this idea the "Personal Factory".

She founded Geomagic with her husband at the time, Herbert Edelsbrunner. His research helped create the company's first software. In 1997, she left NCSA to start Geomagic. She became its CEO. The company aimed to create 3D imaging software. This software would allow people to make custom products using 3D printers.

At first, Ping Fu and Herbert Edelsbrunner funded Geomagic themselves. Her sister and her husband also invested. Later, other investors helped. In 1999, Geomagic moved to Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. The company received a large investment of $6.5 million.

Later, Geomagic faced financial problems. Ping Fu returned as CEO in 2001. She invested her own money and worked without pay. This helped her keep the company's employees. She successfully brought Geomagic back to stability. The company became profitable again in a few years. Under her leadership, Geomagic's sales tripled from 2001 to 2003. It became a leader in digital shape sampling and processing.

In February 2013, Ping Fu sold Geomagic to 3D Systems Corporation. This is a major 3D printing company. She then became the Chief Strategy Officer and Vice-President at 3D Systems.

Other Important Roles

Besides leading Geomagic, Ping Fu has advised many organizations. These include groups focused on technology, business, and charity. She has been on the U.S. National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship since 2010. She is also a member of the National Council on Women in Technology.

In 2012, she joined the board of the Long Now Foundation. This group focuses on long-term thinking and lasting technology. She also serves on the board of Live Nation Entertainment. Since 2017, Ping has been on the Board of Directors of the Burning Man Project.

Her Memoir: Bend, Not Break

On December 31, 2012, Ping Fu published her memoir, Bend, Not Break: A Life in Two Worlds. She wrote the book with MeiMei Fox. It tells the story of her life. This includes her childhood in China and her experiences as an entrepreneur. The book received good reviews from places like The Wall Street Journal.

After the book came out, some people questioned parts of her story. They posted comments online. Ping Fu responded to these questions. She explained that some details in the book might have been based on emotional memories. Her publisher stated that the book is a memoir, not a news report. Ping Fu has said that future versions of the book will correct any inaccuracies.

Awards and Recognitions

Ping Fu has received many awards for her work with Geomagic.

• In 2003, she was named the Ernst & Young "Entrepreneur of the Year".
• Fast Company named her a "Fast 50" winner in 2004.
• In 2005, Inc. magazine named her its "Entrepreneur of the Year".
• In 2008, she received the "Business Innovation Award".
• The CAD Society gave her the "Leadership Award" in 2010.
• In 2011, she received a "Lifetime Achievement" award.
• In 2012, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services named her an "Outstanding American by Choice".

See also

In Spanish: Ping Fu para niños