Early Life
Liu Jingkang, known internationally as JK Liu, was born in 1991 in Meizhou, Guangdong, China. He grew up in Zhongshan and has been a technology enthusiast since childhood. Liu's journey in technology began during his university years. In 2010, he was admitted to Nanjing University, where he pursued a degree in software engineering, graduating in 2014. While at university, he developed a live-streaming platform, which led him to identify a major limitation in existing camera systems: the lack of immersive features. This realization sparked his interest in 360-degree imaging and laid the groundwork for Insta360.
Rise to Success
In 2014, at the age of 23, while still a senior at Nanjing University, Liu founded Arashi Vision, also known as Insta360. In 2015, he officially founded Insta360 in Shenzhen, China. Initially, the company focused on professional VR filmmakers. However, Liu recognized the need to expand into the consumer market. Insta360 pivoted to consumer-friendly 360° and action cameras, attracting a wider audience. The company's growth has been marked by strong domestic sales and international expansion. Insta360's IPO in June 2025 on the Shanghai Stock Exchange STAR Market was a major milestone, valuing the company at approximately $9.9 billion and making Liu a billionaire.
Key Business Strategies
A key principle for Liu has been to prioritize innovation, usability, and quality. This strategy has been crucial for Insta360's success. Liu's leadership style blends technical expertise with strategic market vision. He has focused on directing innovation, overseeing product strategy, and guiding global expansion. The company has consistently invested in R&D and listened to user feedback. Insta360's key innovations include FlowState Stabilization and AI-powered auto-editing. Insta360 has also focused on overseas markets, with a significant portion of sales coming from the U.S., Europe, and Japan.
Philanthropy
Specific philanthropy amounts for Liu Jingkang could not be located.