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 businesswoman. She helped start a company called Geomagic, which creates 3D software. She was the main leader (CEO) of Geomagic until 2013. That year, another company called 3D Systems Inc. bought Geomagic. Since then, she 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 is known for her achievements in technology and for writing a book about her life.

Early Life and Learning

Growing Up in China

Ping Fu was born in 1958 in Nanjing, China. Her father was a professor at a university there. She spent her childhood and early adult years in China. She grew up during the Cultural Revolution, a period when many people faced challenges. During this time, she was separated from her parents for several years.

After the Cultural Revolution ended, she went to college at what is now Suzhou University. She studied Chinese literature. For her college project, she researched China's one-child policy. She traveled to the countryside and learned about the challenges faced by families. She later left school before finishing her degree.

Moving to the United States

Ping Fu left China and arrived in 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 at the University of California, San Diego. While in San Diego, she worked part-time as a computer programmer.

After graduating from UC San Diego, she moved to Illinois. She got a job at Bell Labs, a famous research company. Through a program there, she joined the computer science Ph.D. program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). She earned a master's degree in computer science from UIUC.

Her Career Journey

Working with Supercomputers

In the early 1990s, Ping Fu started working at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) at UIUC. She focused on computer graphics and making images. One of her projects involved developing software for the special effects in the movie Terminator 2: Judgment Day.

While at NCSA, she supervised a student named Marc Andreessen. He worked on a project to create Mosaic, an early internet browser. This browser helped make the World Wide Web popular. Ping Fu was involved in the discussions that led to the idea for this browser.

Starting Geomagic

In 1996, Ping Fu was inspired to start her own company. She had an idea for a "Personal Factory," which would combine manufacturing with digital technology, like 3D modeling software. She co-founded Geomagic with her husband at the time, Herbert Edelsbrunner. His research helped create the first software for the company.

In 1997, she left NCSA to focus on Geomagic. She became the CEO, or chief executive officer. The company's goal was to develop 3D imaging software. This software would allow people to create custom items using 3D printers. At first, Ping Fu and her husband funded Geomagic themselves.

In 1999, Geomagic moved from Illinois to Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. The company received a large investment. Later, Ping Fu returned to lead Geomagic as CEO in 2001. She invested her own money and worked without pay to keep the company going. She successfully guided Geomagic back to being profitable.

Under Ping Fu's leadership, Geomagic's sales grew a lot between 2001 and 2003. The company became known for its work in digital shape sampling and processing. In February 2013, Ping Fu sold Geomagic to 3D Systems Corporation, a 3D printing company. She then became a Chief Strategy Officer and Vice-President at 3D Systems.

Other Important Roles

Besides leading Geomagic, Ping Fu has also served in many advisory roles. These roles involve technology, starting new businesses, and helping charities. She has been part of 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 Fu has been on the Board of Directors for the Burning Man Project. She first attended Burning Man in 2010.

Her Book: Bend, Not Break

On December 31, 2012, Ping Fu published her life story in a book called Bend, Not Break: A Life in Two Worlds. She wrote the book with MeiMei Fox. It shares stories from her childhood in China and her experiences as a businesswoman, including starting and leading Geomagic. The book received good reviews from places like The Wall Street Journal.

After the book was released, some people online questioned certain details in it. Ping Fu responded publicly to these questions. She explained that some parts of the book were based on emotional memories or stories she heard as a child. She also said that future versions of the book would correct any inaccuracies. Her publisher noted that the book is a memoir, which tells a personal story, rather than a strict historical report.

Awards and Special Recognitions

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

• In 2003, she was named the Ernst & Young "Entrepreneur of the Year" for the Carolinas.
• Fast Company magazine named her a "Fast 50" winner in 2004.
• In 2005, Inc. magazine chose Ping as its "Entrepreneur of the Year."

Other awards include:

• The "Business Innovation Award" from the America China Business Women’s Alliance in 2008.
• The "Leadership Award" from the CAD Society in 2010.
• A "Lifetime Achievement" award from the Triangle Business Journal in 2011.
• The William C. Friday Award at North Carolina State University in 2011.
• Being named an "Outstanding American by Choice" by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services in 2012.

See also

In Spanish: Ping Fu para niños