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Before her reported relationship with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Alice Huang worked closely with Chinese financier Kang Wei for nearly a decade.
Alice Huang attending a dinner with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang (Photo: Reuters)
Alice Huang, the Chinese businesswoman at the centre of the controversy involving Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, had a long-standing professional and reportedly romantic association with another influential figure in China’s financial circles before her links with the technology billionaire came under scrutiny.
According to a Financial Times report, Alice Huang, also known as Huang Le, worked closely with Chinese financier Kang Wei for nearly a decade. Kang founded Hexi Capital, a Shanghai-based private equity firm, and has faced regulatory action in China over stock market violations.
The report suggested that the two were business partners as well as romantic partners. They were considered an influential couple in Chinese financial circles, with some people who knew them believing they were married.
WHO WAS KANG WEI, ALICE HUANG’S BUSINESS PARTNER IN CHINA?
Kang Wei founded Hexi Capital in 2010. Alice Huang joined the Shanghai-based investment firm in 2015, according to the report.
Their association reportedly extended beyond their professional responsibilities. The report said the two maintained a close relationship for nearly 10 years and continued working together even as Kang faced scrutiny from Chinese regulators.
The financier was fined by Chinese regulators over undisclosed control of companies and was reportedly detained in connection with suspected market manipulation.
At A Glance
Alice Huang reportedly worked closely with Chinese financier Kang Wei for nearly a decade.
Kang founded Shanghai-based Hexi Capital in 2010.
A report suggested that the two were business and romantic partners, with some acquaintances believing they were married.
The concerns surrounding Kang’s business record have drawn attention to the financial network in which Alice Huang operated before her transition into the technology sector.
The Associated Press (AP) also reported that Kang, who appeared alongside Alice Huang in some records, was fined in 2018 by China’s securities regulator.
Kang was fined 400,000 yuan (around $60,000), while Hexi was fined 17.7 million yuan (around $2.7 million) over financial misconduct.
FROM CCTV JOURNALIST TO CHINESE FINANCE EXECUTIVE
Before entering the financial sector, Alice Huang reportedly worked as a journalist with China Central Television (CCTV), China’s state-owned broadcaster.
According to the FT’s investigation, she was born in a rural area of China’s Hunan province and moved to Hong Kong in the mid-2000s, where she pursued higher studies in media at Hong Kong Baptist University.
She subsequently moved into finance, working at HSBC before joining CITIC Securities, a Chinese investment bank. Reuters, citing Chinese fund-industry records, an indexed profile on private-fund database Simuwang and company material, also reported that Huang had earlier worked in banking and investment management.
Her association with Kang Wei’s Hexi Capital began in 2015.
Several posts on Hexi’s official WeChat account between 2016 and 2017 identified Huang as the firm’s deputy general manager, executive director and a member of its investment decision committee, Reuters reported.
A business card reviewed by Reuters identified her as a partner and general manager at Hexi, with an office in Shanghai’s Lujiazui financial district.
HOW HER BUSINESS NETWORK EXPANDED INTO AI AND DATA CENTRES
Huang’s association with Kang reportedly continued as their business interests expanded beyond conventional investment management.
According to the FT, the two worked together to raise funds for a Southeast Asian artificial intelligence data-centre venture. They also pitched potential investors on access to Nvidia graphics processing units (GPUs) and their connections with Chinese technology giant Alibaba.
Huang later became associated with Singapore-based Megaspeed International, a cloud-computing company that describes itself as an Nvidia business partner in the Asia-Pacific region.
Reuters reported that Huang became Megaspeed’s controlling shareholder in March 2023, according to research by Washington-based global security research group C4ADS, which reviewed corporate records.
She also served as a director and managing director of Megaspeed’s Indonesian subsidiary from March to November 2023, C4ADS said.
The AP reported that Megaspeed was incorporated in Singapore in 2015 as 7Road International, the overseas arm of Chinese video game developer 7Road Holdings. It was renamed Megaspeed International in March 2023.
Huang was no longer listed as a director by November 2023, and her shares were transferred to Singaporean businessman Tan Yong Pong, also known as James Tan, the AP reported.
However, questions about her continuing influence over the company remained. A report by short seller Culper Research in May cited a Megaspeed employee as saying Huang was “actually still our boss” and continued to be involved in its daily operations, according to the AP.
MEGASPEED’S BUSINESS DEALINGS UNDER US SCRUTINY
Megaspeed subsequently attracted scrutiny over allegations that it helped Chinese customers obtain advanced Nvidia chips subject to US export restrictions.
Reuters reported that shipping records reviewed by the news agency showed Megaspeed’s Indonesian subsidiary imported Nvidia hardware between 2024 and 2026, including H100 processors and related components.
However, Reuters stressed that shipments to Indonesia did not, by themselves, establish any violation of US export controls.
The company has denied wrongdoing. The AP reported that Megaspeed had previously said there was no evidence of illicit chip transfers or illegal activities.
The Singapore government also said it was investigating Megaspeed, while clarifying that there were no investigations being conducted against Alice Huang personally, according to the AP.
HOW DID ALICE HUANG BECOME LINKED TO JENSEN HUANG?
Alice Huang has been thrust into the international spotlight following reports of her close relationship with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. The two are not related.
The New York Times reported that US authorities had concluded she was a Chinese intelligence asset who passed information to Beijing while developing a close relationship with the Nvidia chief.
Nvidia’s board has launched an independent investigation into reports that its CEO was targeted by a foreign intelligence operation. The company has said it has no reason to believe national security information or trade secrets were compromised.
Jensen Huang acknowledged on Sunday that he had been unfaithful to his wife, without directly commenting on Alice Huang, Reuters reported.
China’s Foreign Ministry has rejected the allegations against Alice Huang, describing the claim that she was a Chinese spy as unsubstantiated and a smear against China.
Quick Answers
Ask News18Alice Huang is a Chinese businesswoman who came under international scrutiny following reports of her close relationship with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. While US authorities concluded she was a Chinese intelligence asset who passed information to Beijing, China’s Foreign Ministry rejected the allegations as a smear. Jensen Huang acknowledged unfaithfulness to his wife amid an independent board investigation, though the two are not related.
Ask News18About the Author
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
November 12, 2026, 12:55 AM IST
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