Bytedance
ByteDance was founded in 2012 by a team led by Yiming Zhang and Rubo Liang, who saw opportunities in the then-nascent mobile internet market, and aspired to build platforms that could enrich people's lives. The company launched Toutiao, one of its flagship products, in August 2012. It followed that success with the launch of Douyin in September 2016. Approximately a year later, ByteDance accelerated globalization with the launch of its global short video product, TikTok. It quickly took off in markets like Southeast Asia, signaling a new opportunity for the company. ByteDance acquired Musical.ly in November 2017 and subsequently merged it with TikTok.
Today, the TikTok platform, which is available outside of China, has become the leading destination for short-form mobile videos worldwide. In support of its mission to Inspire Creativity and Enrich Life, ByteDance has made it easy and fun for people to connect with, create and consume content. People are also able to discover and transact with a suite of more than a dozen products and services such as TikTok, CapCut, TikTok Shop, Lark, Pico and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, as well... ByteDance has over 150,000 employees based out of nearly 120 cities globally, including Austin, Barcelona, Beijing, Berlin, Dubai, Dublin, Hong Kong, Jakarta, London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris, Seattle, Seoul, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Singapore, and... We believe at ByteDance that high ethical standards and a culture of integrity play a pivotal role throughout the development of the company. Therefore, we have developed the ByteDance Code of Conduct and ByteDance Partner Code of Conduct.
ByteDance founded in a four-bedroom apartment ByteDance is a Chinese internet technology company headquartered in Haidian, Beijing. Its associated variable-interest entity ByteDance Ltd is incorporated in the Cayman Islands.[6] Founded by Zhang Yiming, Liang Rubo, and a team of others in 2012, ByteDance developed the video-sharing app TikTok/Douyin. The company is also the developer of the news platform Toutiao, the video-editing app CapCut, and Lemon8 which is a video sharing mobile app. ByteDance has attracted regulatory and media attention in several countries over security, surveillance, and censorship concerns.[7][8][9]
In 2009, software engineer and entrepreneur Zhang Yiming collaborated with his friend Liang Rubo to co-found 99fang.com, a real estate search engine.[10] In early 2012, the pair rented an apartment in Zhongguancun and, along... In March 2012, ByteDance launched its first app, called Neihan Duanzi (内涵段子, lit. "profound gags"). This allowed users to circulate jokes, memes, and humorous videos. Before being forced by the Chinese government to shut down in 2018, Neihan Duanzi had over 200 million users.[13] The TikTok owner’s cloud unit has launched a new AI coding assistant, stoking China’s AI coding price war
The Doubao-Seed-Code model, released on Tuesday, carries a standard monthly fee of 40 yuan, according to a company statement. The company unveiled its discounted one-month promotion on November 11, China’s annual Singles’ Day shopping festival. The growth, he added, highlighted the rapid rise in AI adoption among Chinese consumers and reinforced ByteDance’s position among the world’s leading AI players. The new model set a state-of-the-art record on the SWE-Bench Verified test, placing it on par with mainstream systems such as Anthropic’s Claude Sonnet. The launch comes after Anthropic, a US AI start-up, updated its service restrictions in September to block access by subsidiaries of Chinese firms – the latest sign of growing polarisation in the global AI... ByteDance is a Chinese internet technology company headquartered in Haidian, Beijing.
Its associated variable-interest entity ByteDance Ltd is incorporated in the Cayman Islands.[6] Founded by Zhang Yiming, Liang Rubo, and a team of others in 2012, ByteDance developed the video-sharing app TikTok/Douyin. The company is also the developer of the news platform Toutiao, the video-editing app CapCut, and Lemon8 which is a video sharing mobile app. ByteDance has attracted regulatory and media attention in several countries over security, surveillance, and censorship concerns.[7][8][9] In 2009, software engineer and entrepreneur Zhang Yiming collaborated with his friend Liang Rubo to co-found 99fang.com, a real estate search engine.[10] In early 2012, the pair rented an apartment in Zhongguancun and, along... In March 2012, ByteDance launched its first app, called Neihan Duanzi (内涵段子, lit.
"profound gags"). This allowed users to circulate jokes, memes, and humorous videos. Before being forced by the Chinese government to shut down in 2018, Neihan Duanzi had over 200 million users.[13] Home > Billionaire Moves > Zhang Yiming's ByteDance Ownership in 2025 ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, remains a dominant force in the tech industry. Despite stepping down from his leadership role, its founder, Zhang Yiming, still holds significant influence through his ownership stake.
So, let's take a look at how much of ByteDance Zhang Yiming owns in 2025, who the majority shareholder is, and who else has a stake in the company. Straight from the Tik Tok FAQ page we can find out that as of 2025, ByteDance remains a privately held company with a diverse group of stakeholders. The majority shareholder is not a single individual but rather a combination of investment firms, with entities like Susquehanna International Group (SIG), Sequoia Capital, General Atlantic, and KKR holding substantial stakes. The company also maintains an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), ensuring key executives and employees have a share in the company's growth. Although Zhang Yiming is one of the most recognized figures associated with ByteDance, institutional investors collectively hold a larger percentage of ownership. Related: Zhang Yiming's Business Strategies: How He Built ByteDance Into a Global Powerhouse
At ByteDance, we work together towards the shared mission of inspiring creativity and enriching life. ByteDance’s entrepreneurial culture enables you to make a real impact. When we collaborate to solve complex problems, the opportunities for growth are limitless. Our products are built to help imaginations thrive. Together, we inspire creativity and enrich life.
That's how we drive impact - for ourselves, our company, and the users we serve. We are committed to building a safe, healthy and positive online environment for all our users. ByteDance, the powerhouse behind TikTok, is a major player in the tech industry. Founded in 2012 by Zhang Yiming, ByteDance has grown rapidly. The company is best known for its advanced algorithms and popular apps, like TikTok. With a global presence, it has changed how we consume content online.
This guide to ByteDance will explore the company’s history, mission, and key figures. You’ll also learn about its CEO and IPO plans. Whether you’re an Instagram user or a tech enthusiast, this guide will provide valuable insights into ByteDance. Keep reading to discover how this innovative company is shaping the future of digital media. ByteDance Ltd. is a Chinese multinational internet technology company.
It was founded in 2012 by Zhang Yiming. ByteDance’s mission is to inspire creativity and enrich life. The company is best known for its popular apps like TikTok and Douyin. TikTok is a global sensation, while Douyin is its Chinese counterpart. ByteDance uses advanced algorithms to deliver personalized content. These algorithms, including the TikTok algorithm, analyze user preferences to recommend videos and articles.
This technology has revolutionized how people consume digital content. ByteDance also owns Toutiao, a news aggregator app. The company’s rapid growth is fueled by innovation and strategic investments. ByteDance has expanded its reach worldwide, establishing offices in various countries. This global presence helps the company understand diverse markets and cultures. ByteDance’s commitment to innovation is evident in its continuous product development.
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ByteDance
Douyin is China's leading destination for short-form mobile videos. Powered by easy-to-use video creation tools, Douyin quickly became a highly popular app across the country. It empowers everyone to capture and present the world's creativity, knowledge, and moments that matter in everyday life, presenting a wide and diverse range of content on the platform.For more information, please visit https...