Min Kao Net Worth, Biography and Career

Min Kao Net Worth $3 Billion

Born and brought up in Zhushan, Taiwan, Min H. Kao, is the Executive Chairman of Garmin Ltd., a dedicated company that designs and produces navigation and communication equipment.

The businessman co-founded the mentioned company back in 1989 with the goal of enriching people’s lives by bringing the much-needed Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to the consumer market.

Under Kao’s leadership, Garmin has become an internationally known business establishment and the global leader in satellite navigation with an assorted range of important products for outdoor, aviation, fitness, automotive, mobile, and marine markets.

An intelligent young mind from the earliest stages, Kao took his education very seriously and completed his studies at the National Taiwan University where he received his Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering degree before moving to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, from which he graduated with his MS and Ph.D. in electrical engineering.

Together with his wife, Yu-Fan, Kao has generously supported engineering and science education since his rise to success. In 2005, after discussing with his former mentor and University of Tennessee electrical engineering professor, James C. Hung, Kao and his wife elected to make a $12.5 million donation to construct a new building for the University of Tennessee.

He also pledged the sum of $5 million to match other private donations for various developments in the institution during that time. Based on the immense success of his professional career, this man is a billionaire today and is considered to be one of the wealthiest businessmen in Taiwan. We have the story of his life and the journey of his career through trials and tribulations to success, all in the article below.

Early Life: Childhood, Education

Taiwanese-American businessman and Garmin founder Min H. Kao were born in Zhushan, Nantou, a small town in Taiwan in the year 1949.

He attended the National Taiwan University for his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering after which he earned his master’s degree and a doctorate in the same field from the University of Tennessee.

Professional Life: Business Career

Earlier on, Min Kao undertook research for the United States Army and NASA. He then joined an algorithm designer for Magnavox Advanced Products known as Teledyne Systems and worked there as a systems analyst for a while. Following this, he joined King Radio Corp. where he served as an engineering group leader and subsequently worked for AlliedSignal as an engineer.

In 1989, he teamed up with Gary Burrell to start up a business they named Garmin. The company has become known all over the world as one of the best and biggest manufacturers of devices that use the Global Positioning System (GPS).

In 2012, Kao relinquished his position as chief executive officer of the company. However, he remains close as a member of the board and the executive chairman of Garmin.

Philanthropy

Apart from his business concerns, Min Kao is famed for his many philanthropic contributions as well. Some of his financial donations to educational institutes are his $17.5 million aid to the College of Engineering of the University of Tennessee in 2005 for the construction of a new facility, a $1 million donation in 2014 to the University of Kansas College of Engineering for the construction of electrical and computer engineering design labs, and the sum of $1 million donated to the Kansas State University College of Engineering for constructing four labs in 2015.

Achievements: Awards & Honors

What he has done in the tech industry through his Garmin Company is truly tremendous. It was on this note that the National Academy of Engineering for leadership in developing & commercializing compact GPS navigation systems elected him as one of its members in 2011.

Personal Life: Wife, Children, Residence

Min Kao has been married to Fan Kao for many years now and they have two together. Their son, Ken Kao, is a known Taiwanese film producer, while their daughter, Jen Kao, is a fashion designer.

Mr. Kao and his family reside in Leawood, Kansas. In 2011, he purchased a house in 15 Central Park West, Manhattan, New York City, New York. He has put his Kansas City area apartment up for sale as he doesn’t spend a lot of time there.

His interests, aside from business and philanthropy, include traveling, hiking, reading, and engaging in sporting activities, especially golf, and tennis. He is also a dedicated supporter of the Taiwan national football team and has tried to support the nation’s football league on numerous occasions.

Min Kao Net Worth: Salary, Income Sources, Assets

As already established in this publication, Min Kao is an American businessman who was born in Taiwan, and now, he heads the company he co-founded, Garmin Corporation, as its executive chairman after stepping down from his duties as chief executive officer.

Min Kao’s net worth is approximately 3 billion dollars. He has spent many years of his life working as an analyst, engineer, and developer, and has worked for a number of companies in the past, including Teledyne Systems and NASA.