On November 7, the "2025 Hurun U40 China Young Entrepreneurs List" was released, recognizing 195 young entrepreneurs under the age of 40 in China, with an average age of 37. Shen Peng, founder and CEO of Waterdrop Inc. (WDH.US), was honored for his innovative contributions to the healthcare and insurance sector. He shares the spotlight with other distinguished entrepreneurs such as Chen Tianshi, founder and chairman of Cambricon, Wang Xingxing, founder and CEO of Unitree Robotics, and Wang Ning, chairman and CEO of Pop Mart.
The "Hurun U40 China Young Entrepreneurs List" highlights entrepreneurial leaders under 40 who serve as founders or key figures in their enterprises, demonstrating strong industry influence and social impact. Shen Peng's inclusion reflects industry recognition of his entrepreneurial achievements and societal contributions.
As the 10th employee of Meituan, Shen Peng played a pivotal role in establishing Meituan Waimai, leading critical initiatives such as operational rule-setting and business system development. In 2016, he founded Waterdrop Inc. with the mission of "leveraging internet technology to ensure accessible healthcare for millions of families." The company pioneered a new model combining "critical illness crowdfunding + personal insurance," driving digital transformation in the industry.
On the health services front, Waterdrop Inc. has strengthened partnerships with medical service providers to expand healthcare offerings for users. Shen Peng aims to deliver comprehensive, lifelong health protection services through diversified business models, supplementing China's multi-tiered healthcare system and addressing poverty caused by illness.
As a tech-driven company, Waterdrop Inc. actively embraces cutting-edge technologies, advancing its "All in AI" strategy to unlock new growth opportunities. It is among the first in the insurance industry to deploy large-scale AI models, investing nearly RMB 300 million annually in R&D and holding over 100 technology patents. Its proprietary insurance-focused AI model, "Waterdrop Shou," enhances efficiency across sales assistance, marketing, quality inspection, and product innovation.
Shen Peng seeks to share Waterdrop Inc.'s expertise in insurance brokerage, omnichannel operations, and tech-enabled solutions with partners to elevate operational efficiency and customer experience. Under his leadership, the company has expanded internationally, establishing a licensed insurance brokerage firm, Waterdrop Financial, in Hong Kong in 2023. The subsidiary offers a full suite of financial services, including insurance brokerage, wealth planning, mandatory provident funds, and risk management.
To support talent development, Waterdrop Inc. launched "Lukang Wuyou," a one-stop platform for life services in Hong Kong, Macau, and overseas, covering identity planning, business expansion, children's education, and medical services.
Shen Peng's contributions to critical illness aid, insurtech, and healthcare have earned widespread recognition, including spots on Forbes China's "Disruptive Founders of the New Era," Fortune's "40 Under 40 China Business Elites," and the World Economic Forum's "Young Global Leaders." He also holds leadership roles in organizations such as the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce Youth Entrepreneurs Committee and the Beijing Federation of Industry and Commerce.