Kingsoft Cloud Liu Zhigang: The journey of a cloud industry pioneer

Like all other industries, the rapid development of the cloud computing industry in recent years is closely related to the efforts of many pioneers, who have participated in promoting the healthy development of the industry with their rich experience and have formed an indissoluble relationship with the "cloud". Among them, the experience of Liu Zhigang, who is currently the senior vice president and partner of Kingsoft Cloud, is quite representative.

Early life

In 2003, after graduating from Northwestern Polytechnical University, Liu Zhigang came to work in The Shaanxi Branch of China Telecom, responsible for the first batch of WIFI distribution networks, IDC data services, SP, IVR, Interconnected Stars, game intermodal transportation, etc. At that time, due to his working relationship, he came into contact with many Internet companies, and with the increase of exchanges, Liu Zhigang's interest in the Internet was increasing day by day, and the development concept, working style and atmosphere of Internet companies deeply attracted him. So, in 2007, he made a bold decision, despite the opposition of his family and friends, gave up the "iron rice bowl" of China Telecom, became a "North Drift", and chose to join Baidu.

The open and inclusive environment and culture of Internet companies make Liu Zhigang feel like a fish in the water. During his tenure at Baidu, he was responsible for strategic cooperation, led many important foreign cooperations, and participated in the self-construction of the computer room of Baidu Building. Later, he joined iQiyi, which was in the incubation stage of the fashion, and was responsible for technical business work. Due to his conscientious and responsible work and positive efforts, not only has his performance been outstanding, but his ability and understanding of the Internet business have also been rapidly improved and deepened.

Out of optimism about the development prospects of network video, Liu Zhigang joined LeTV in 2011 and successively served as the director of the technology and commerce department and the deputy general manager of the operator business department, responsible for the construction of leTV's technology infrastructure and the maintenance of operator relationships. During this period, he tried to combine the video content of LeTV with the online advertising alliance, and founded the Leju Content Alliance, which was recognized and praised by the company's senior management and the industry.

At the same time, Liu Zhigang has found a new business growth point for LeTV. He found that the company had a lot of idle bandwidth at the time, and he was keenly aware that these resources could be fully utilized using cloud computing technology and could become a stand-alone project. So he began to set up the Cloud Division (later LeTV Cloud) and served as the general manager of the LeTV Cloud Division.

With rich experience and in-depth and unique understanding of cloud computing, LeTV Cloud once became the best business company in the early stage of cloud computing development in China. During his time at LeTV Cloud, Liu Zhigang expanded the first batch of Internet companies in China to use cloud services, including JD.com, Dangdang.com, Station B, Autohome, etc. Years of experience in the Internet company, the continuous accumulation of ability and experience, laid a solid foundation for Liu Zhigang to join Kingsoft Cloud as an executive and make important contributions to the rapid development of the company.

Join Kingsoft Cloud

In 2013, at an event held by a technology club, Wang Yulin, then president of Kingsoft Cloud, chatted with Liu Zhigang for a long time. The two are both club directors and in the cloud computing industry, and Liu Zhigang has always regarded Wang Yulin as a mentor and friend. In the exchange, they each talked a lot of their own views on the development of the domestic cloud computing industry, and many of their ideas were very consistent. At that time, it was the initial period of Jinshanyun, Wang Yulin was in great need of a powerful helper, and Liu Zhigang's vigorous style and dare to fight spirit when leading the team left a deep impression on him. Therefore, before the end of the exchange, Wang Yulin solemnly issued an invitation to Liu Zhigang to join Jinshanyun.

Liu Zhigang thought that Kingsoft Cloud has a very clear idea and positioning, and wants to become a first-class public cloud service provider in China, which is very consistent with his own concept. He believes that by joining Kingsoft Cloud, he can achieve his greater dreams. Therefore, he decided to accept Wang Yulin's invitation.

In December 2013, Liu Zhigang officially joined Kingsoft Cloud as Chief Operating Officer (COO). After continuous exploration, he and Wang Yulin agreed that Kingsoft Cloud should turn to the B-end market. After planning, Liu Zhigang and other senior executives of Kingsoft Cloud have developed a way to play through the industry, starting with the game cloud. In this way, from the game cloud, to the video cloud, and then to kingsoft cloud on the larger stage of cloud computing, with a steady and steady fight, kingsoft cloud gradually gained a firm foothold in the domestic cloud service market.

Entrepreneurial vignettes

Everyone has entrepreneurial dreams, which may be the reason why he has been in charge of the game industry for a long time in Kingsoft Cloud, which has made Liu Zhigang have a desire for in-depth understanding of the game industry and e-sports. In 2015, Hero Interactive Entertainment, which was in the preparatory period, invited Liu Zhigang to join, and after full communication with Wang Yulin, he decided to experience entrepreneurship. At that time, the e-sports industry was still in its infancy in China, and after Liu Zhigang joined, he established a mobile e-sports alliance in Hero Interactive Entertainment, founded and operated the HPL League, and managed the e-sports center (the predecessor of quantum sports), the user center, etc. In addition to being responsible for the operation of the game business, Liu Zhigang was also responsible for government affairs during his work at Hero Interactive Entertainment. His involvement as an executive director in the company not only gave him a deeper understanding of the game industry, but more importantly, the experience helped him broaden his horizons and improve his management skills. He is especially grateful for his work experience at Hero Interactive Entertainment, which has made him more mature and professional.

Return to Jinshan Cloud

In 2018, after experiencing the development and learning of various industries, Liu Zhigang believes that the real situation is computing power, and computing power is closely related to human economy and life. Liu Zhigang, who has experienced entrepreneurship, feels that to be a great manager, it is necessary to have a lofty goal, and human beings cannot do without data and computing, so the cloud industry is a big industry that can really serve all walks of life for human beings. Just when Kingsoft Cloud has reached a new transformation period, the Internet business has achieved a leading position and will open up new markets, Liu Zhigang feels that new challenges have come, and chooses to return to Kingsoft Cloud. After communicating with Lei Jun and Wang Yulin for many times, he took the initiative to shoulder the heavy responsibility of government relations, strategic cooperation and the landing of some industries. Liu Zhigang believes that in the spirit of doing things from the perspective of human nature, we will be able to establish a new ecological alliance, and Kingsoft Cloud should help more people and enterprises to provide services in the future cloud-based world, just like water and electricity. Through the joint efforts of himself and his team, he believes that in the future, he can create a new industrial ecological cooperation model, promote the more rapid development of China's information industry, and continuously bring new contributions to the growth of the company.