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Billionaire Profile
David Sun
Global Rank
#148

Image: Public domain | via Wikimedia Commons

David Sun

CEO, Kingston Technology
US
Real-Time Net Worth
$17.2B
As of December 2025
Age
74
Source
Computer hardware
Industry
technology
Citizenship
US

Biography

David Sun, a Taiwanese-American entrepreneur, co-founded Kingston Technology in 1987, revolutionizing the memory solutions market. His wealth source is computer hardware. Born in Taiwan in 1951, Sun's career began in engineering, leading him to co-found Kingston, now the world's largest independent memory product manufacturer. With a current net worth of $17.2 billion, Sun has been instrumental in shaping the technology industry. Sun's focus on quality, reliability, and customer service has made Kingston a global leader. He has been recognized for his entrepreneurial achievements, including being named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2005. Sun, with his wife, Diana, established the Sun Family Foundation to support education and healthcare initiatives.

Wealth Over Time

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

David Sun was born in Taiwan on October 12, 1951. He immigrated to the United States in 1977 after earning a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Tatung University. Sun started his career as an engineer, gaining experience in hardware design.

Rise to Success

In 1987, Sun co-founded Kingston Technology with John Tu in Fountain Valley, California. They addressed a shortage of memory chips by creating a new Single In-Line Memory Module (SIMM). The company quickly became a global leader in memory products. In 1996, Sun and Tu sold 80% of Kingston to SoftBank for $1.8 billion, but later bought it back for $450 million. Kingston expanded, adding flash memory solutions, solid-state drives, and embedded storage.

Key Business Strategies

Kingston focused on quality, reliability, and customer service to differentiate itself from competitors. This approach helped Kingston become the largest independent manufacturer of memory products. The company also adapted to market changes, adding new product lines like USB drives and SSDs. Kingston has also focused on long-term partnerships and employee investment.

Philanthropy

David and Diana Sun established the Sun Family Foundation in 1999, which supports education programs and healthcare initiatives for underserved youth. In 2022 and 2025, they donated a total of $100 million to expand the Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian's campus in Irvine.

Career Milestones

1977

Immigration to the United States

Immigrated to the United States from Taiwan.

1987

Co-founded Kingston Technology

Co-founded Kingston Technology with John Tu to address a shortage of memory chips.

1996

Sold 80% of Kingston to SoftBank

Sold 80% of Kingston to SoftBank for $1.8 billion.

1999

Bought back Kingston from SoftBank

Bought back Kingston from SoftBank for $450 million.

1999

Established the Sun Family Foundation

Established the Sun Family Foundation to support education programs.

2005

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Named Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

2021

Sold HyperX to HP Inc.

Sold HyperX business unit to HP for $425 million.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Education and Healthcare

Sun Family Foundation

$XB

Supports education and healthcare initiatives for underserved youth in the U.S. and Taiwan.

Healthcare

Donation to Hoag Hospital

$100M

Donated $100 million to expand Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian's campus in Irvine.

Business Philosophy & Leadership

Leadership Principles

Commitment to Quality and Reliability

Kingston Technology has continually set industry standards of quality and reliability.

Customer Focus

Kingston is devoted to providing the best in service.

Value Long-Term Partnerships

Kingston values its long-term partnerships that help us evolve and innovate.

Employee Investment

Kingston believes that investing in employees is essential and that each individual employee is a vital part of the company's success.