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薛曉嵐ShaoLan
Founder and creator at Chineasy
Professional Background
ShaoLan 薛曉嵐 is a multifaceted entrepreneur and designer, instrumental in transforming how people engage with the Chinese language and culture. As the creator of Chineasy, her innovative method of teaching Chinese has gained immense popularity outside of Chinese-speaking countries, and she has amassed a dedicated following. ShaoLan's mission is to empower individuals to understand China’s rich heritage and language while bridging the cultural divide between East and West, integrating technology and design as her primary tools.
With a solid foundation in the tech industry, ShaoLan co-founded pAsia Inc. in the 1990s, a significant player in the internet landscape. Her journey did not stop there; she also launched Caravel Capital in 2005 to provide guidance to burgeoning tech companies, demonstrating her commitment to fostering innovation. ShaoLan has served on the Development Advisory Boards of prestigious institutions such as Saïd Business School at Oxford University, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and Asia House, showcasing her influential role across various sectors.
Education and Achievements
ShaoLan's academic journey is as impressive as her professional accomplishments. She pursued her MPhil at the University of Cambridge, a prestigious institution that has nurtured many influential leaders. Her MBA from National Chengchi University further equipped her with the necessary business acumen to thrive in her entrepreneurial endeavors. Additionally, her foundational education began with a Bachelor of Arts degree from National Taiwan University, setting the stage for her diverse career.
Apart from her business ventures, ShaoLan is an accomplished author. Her book "Chineasy: The New Way to Read Chinese," published in 2014, has been translated into 19 languages, making it accessible to a global audience. It is just the first of several works that celebrate her innovative teaching approach. In 2016, she followed up with "Chineasy Everyday," further solidifying her position as a thought leader in language education. Additionally, she authored four best-selling software books in Taiwan during her university years, showcasing her early prowess in the tech sphere.
Notable Achievements
ShaoLan's work has not gone unnoticed in the industry. In 2015, she was recognized by The Sunday Times Magazine as one of the twenty-one ‘Leading Ladies in Tech.’ In 2018, in honor of International Women’s Day, Apple highlighted her as a ‘Woman Who Inspired.’ Microsoft also acknowledged her contributions by naming her as a ‘Person of Action’ in the same year. Moreover, her recognition continued with Entrepreneur.com, which celebrated her as one of the six women with Asian roots redefining creative entrepreneurship in 2019.
Chineasy, her flagship initiative, has been the recipient of several prestigious accolades. In 2014, it won the Wallpaper* Magazine Design Award for “Life-Enhancer of the Year” and was recognized by the Design Museum in the UK as one of the 'Best Designs of the Year' based on visitor votes. The following year, it received a D&AD award, highlighting its outstanding design and educational value. FastCompany also acknowledged Chineasy as one of the World’s Top 10 most Innovative Companies, showing the global impact of her vision and design.
ShaoLan's first app, Chineasy Cards, achieved remarkable success, reaching number 2 in the UK and number 6 in the USA Education category on the App Store. This experience further demonstrates her ability to leverage technology effectively in educational settings and engage users in new and meaningful ways.
The impact of ShaoLan's work extends far beyond her immediate ventures. By utilizing design and technology, she exemplifies how thoughtful approaches can address large-scale challenges. Her leadership in creating accessible resources for learning Chinese has inspired a new generation of learners and bridged cultural gaps across borders.
ShaoLan’s extensive experience in tech entrepreneurship, combined with her proactive approach and groundbreaking educational methods, has established her as a key player in both the tech and education industries. As she continues to innovate and inspire through her various platforms, she remains a prominent figure in transforming how the world interacts with the Chinese language and culture.
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