Li Bin Discusses Three Entrepreneurial Lows in Peking University Speech

[Corporate News] NIO founder Li Bin rarely focused on his failures during his speech at Peking University's graduation ceremony.

Core Message: Steering Clear of Success-Oriented Narratives, Focusing Instead on Reflection During Lows

Attending as an alumnus at the Peking University Class of 2026 undergraduate commencement, Li Bin deliberately avoided mentioning NIO’s recent sales recovery. Instead, he candidly admitted that after thirty years of entrepreneurship, he is still fighting for survival, and shared three pivotal low points: his first startup failure right after college graduation, cutting billions of yuan worth of misguided business initiatives during his Autohome era, and the three-year period when NIO faced persistent skepticism. He emphasized that staying true to one’s inner self, being honest with oneself, and seeking answers inwardly are essential to overcoming adversity.

Industry Impact: Redefining the Public Narrative Paradigm for Entrepreneurs

In an industry context where growth and victories are typically celebrated, Li Bin chose to speak openly—without sugarcoating failures or blaming external factors—offering entrepreneurs a rare model of introspection. This also reflects NIO’s strategic shift from “high-profile expansion” toward “internal resilience.”