Min Kao | $1B+
Get in touch with Min Kao | Min Kao, cofounder and longtime executive of Garmin, helped build one of the world’s most successful GPS and navigation technology companies. After cofounding Garmin in 1989, Kao played a central role in developing satellite-based navigation systems that became industry standards across aviation, marine, automotive, fitness, and outdoor markets. Under his technical leadership, Garmin evolved from a niche aviation supplier into a global consumer and industrial technology powerhouse known for precision engineering and vertical integration. Since stepping back from daily operations, Kao has focused on philanthropy, particularly in education, science, and environmental conservation.
Min H. Kao (born October 15, 1949) is a Taiwanese-American electrical engineer, billionaire entrepreneur, and philanthropist renowned as the co-founder and executive chairman of Garmin Ltd., a global leader in GPS navigation, aviation, marine, and fitness technologies.[1][2][3]
Born in Zhushan, a rural town in Nantou County, Taiwan, Kao grew up in a modest family and served in the Taiwanese navy before immigrating to the United States for higher education.[3][4] He earned a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from National Taiwan University in 1971, followed by a Master of Science and a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.[1][2][5]
Kao's early career focused on advanced navigation and aerospace systems, beginning as a systems analyst at Teledyne Systems Company, where he worked on inertial guidance, radio navigation, and fire control systems.[1] He later designed Kalman filter algorithms for GPS user equipment at Magnavox Advanced Products and Research Division, and served as an engineering group leader at King Radio Corporation and AlliedSignal Aerospace, where he led the development of the first FAA-certified GPS navigator.[1][2][6]
In October 1989, Kao co-founded Garmin Corporation with fellow engineer Gary Burrell in Lenexa, Kansas, combining their names to form the company's moniker and initially operating from a modest office with just two folding chairs.[1][7][2] Under his leadership as CEO until 2012 and subsequent role as executive chairman, Garmin pioneered consumer GPS devices, expanding into aviation, marine, and wearable markets, with the company now generating approximately $6.9 billion in annual revenue (trailing twelve months as of September 2025).[1][2][8] Kao has been instrumental in the breakthrough engineering of Garmin's original GPS software product line, helping integrate GPS technology into everyday consumer applications and setting new standards in aviation navigation.[1][9]
As of November 2025, Kao's net worth is estimated at $6.6 billion, primarily derived from his stake in Garmin, making him one of the wealthiest individuals in Kansas, where he resides in Leawood with his wife, Fan, and their two children.[2][10] Kao is also a notable philanthropist through the Kao Family Foundation, established in 2019 to support education and social welfare in Taiwan.[11][12] His major donations include $20 million to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in 2019 for the Kao Autoimmunity Institute, $12.5 million to the University of Tennessee for a new engineering building, $1 million to Kansas State University's College of Engineering in 2015 for lab facilities, and a $20 million pledge to National Taiwan University in 2024 for educational initiatives.[13][14][15][16]
Early Life and Education
Early Life in Taiwan
Min H. Kao was born on October 15, 1949, in Zhushan, a small rural town in Nantou County, Taiwan.[17][2]
Kao grew up in modest, working-class family circumstances as one of several siblings, including a brother, Ruey-Jeng Kao, who later became involved in Garmin's operations in Taiwan.[18]
In the early 1970s, Kao immigrated to the United States to seek higher education opportunities, arriving in 1973 on a student visa after serving in Taiwan's navy.[14][7]
Academic Background
Min Kao earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from National Taiwan University in 1971. His studies in Taiwan established a solid foundation in engineering principles that influenced his later academic pursuits.[17][5]
In 1973, Kao immigrated to the United States and enrolled as a graduate student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he received a graduate teaching fellowship to support his studies as an international student. Transitioning from the bustling urban life in Taipei to the quieter campus environment near the Great Smoky Mountains, he found the setting welcoming and conducive to academic growth.[17][19]
Kao completed a Master of Science degree in electrical engineering in 1974 and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in the same field in 1977, both from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. These advanced degrees equipped him with expertise in electrical engineering that would later inform his innovations in navigation technology.[17][14]
Career
Early Professional Experience
Min Kao began his professional career as a systems analyst at Teledyne Systems Company in the late 1970s, focusing on inertial navigation, radio navigation, and fire control systems for aerospace applications.[1][2]
In the early 1980s, he moved to Magnavox Advanced Products and Research Division, where he designed Kalman filter algorithms for GPS user equipment.[1] Later that decade, as an engineering group leader at King Radio Corporation, Kao led the development of GPS navigators.[1]
In 1989, while employed at AlliedSignal Aerospace (now part of Honeywell), Kao led the development—alongside Gary Burrell—of the first FAA-certified GPS navigator. Across these positions, Kao's technical expertise facilitated early GPS adoption in aviation and military contexts, enhancing system reliability and operational efficiency in demanding environments.[1][2]
Founding Garmin
In October 1989, Min Kao and Gary Burrell co-founded Garmin in Lenexa, Kansas, drawing on their prior experience developing GPS technology at AlliedSignal to create consumer navigation products. The company name was derived from the first syllables of their names—Gar from Gary and min from Min—reflecting their partnership in pioneering accessible GPS solutions.[1][20][8]
The startup operated with a small team of engineers facing the challenges of limited resources and the nascent state of civilian GPS technology, which was initially restricted by U.S. military policies on accuracy. Their vision centered on commercializing GPS for everyday applications, particularly in aviation and marine sectors, to provide reliable navigation beyond military use. This ambition led to the formation of Garmin Corporation in Taiwan in January 1990, chosen for its manufacturing advantages and proximity to Asian supply chains.[21][22]
Garmin's first product, the GPS 100AVD, launched in January 1991 as a panel-mount or portable aviation and marine navigator, marking the company's entry into the market with a device sized like a paperback book and priced around $1,000. This GPS unit interfaced with autopilots and represented a breakthrough in making satellite-based positioning practical for civilian pilots and boaters. The early focus on aviation navigators laid the groundwork for Garmin's expansion into broader consumer GPS applications.[21][22]
Leadership and Innovations at Garmin
Min H. Kao served as chief executive officer of Garmin Ltd. from the company's founding in 1989 until 2012, during which he led the development and commercialization of GPS-based navigation technologies.[23][2] Under his leadership, Garmin expanded into consumer GPS devices, introducing the GPS 100AVD in 1991 as the company's first panel-mount or portable aviation GPS unit, designed for pilots and boaters in a compact, paperback-book-sized form.[24] This innovation marked Garmin's entry into aviation navigation, enabling precise positioning for small aircraft and vessels. Kao's oversight also drove the launch of the Forerunner 201 in 2003, the world's first wristwatch GPS device tailored for runners, integrating satellite tracking into wearable form factors to track distance and pace in real time.[25]
Key milestones during Kao's CEO tenure included Garmin's initial public offering on December 8, 2000, which provided capital for global expansion and product diversification.[26] The company grew revenues from initial sales in the millions to a multibillion-dollar scale, reaching $6.3 billion in fiscal year 2024, fueled by entry into fitness, marine, and automotive sectors alongside its core aviation and outdoor markets.[27] For instance, Garmin diversified into marine navigation with chartplotters and sonar systems, automotive original equipment manufacturing for in-vehicle infotainment, and fitness wearables that combined GPS with heart rate monitoring, establishing leadership across five primary business segments. In recognition of these contributions to compact GPS navigation devices, Kao was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2011.[28]
Following his CEO role, Kao transitioned to executive chairman, a position he continues to hold as of 2025, providing strategic guidance on business development and innovation.[29] In this capacity, he has influenced Garmin's integration of artificial intelligence into wearables, such as the launch of Garmin Connect+ in March 2025, a premium app service offering AI-powered personalized health insights, performance dashboards, and training recommendations for users of fitness devices.[30] This initiative builds on Garmin's wearable ecosystem, enhancing data analytics for athletes and consumers while supporting ongoing revenue growth, with third-quarter 2025 sales up 12% year-over-year to $1.77 billion as of October 2025.[31]
Philanthropy
Support for Education
Min Kao has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing engineering and STEM education through substantial donations to universities, focusing on infrastructure, laboratories, and programs that foster innovation and attract top talent. His philanthropy in this area is inspired by his own experiences as an alumnus of leading engineering programs, emphasizing the role of quality education in technological progress.[17]
In 2005, Kao donated $17.5 million to the University of Tennessee's College of Engineering, with $12.5 million allocated for the construction of a state-of-the-art building for the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and $5 million supporting endowments for scholarships and professorships; the facility, named the Min H. Kao Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Building, was dedicated in 2012.[19][32]
In 2014, he contributed $1 million through the Kao Family Foundation to the University of Kansas School of Engineering, funding the renovation of senior design studios in Eaton Hall into the Min H. Kao Engineering Design Studios and establishing scholarships for electrical and computer engineering students.[33][34]
The following year, in 2015, Kao gave another $1 million to Kansas State University's College of Engineering to equip four specialized laboratories—the Min H. Kao Computer Engineering Lab, Min H. Kao Microprocessor Lab, Min H. Kao ECE Computer Lab, and Min H. Kao Digital Systems Lab—in the new engineering building addition, enhancing hands-on learning in electrical and computer engineering.[35]
Most recently, in 2024, Kao, via the Kao Family Foundation, pledged $20 million to National Taiwan University to establish the Garmin Chair Professorship and Scholar Program, aimed at recruiting and retaining outstanding faculty in electrical engineering and related fields while providing scholarships to support emerging scholars.[36][37]
Contributions to Medical Research
In December 2019, the Kao Family Foundation, established by Min Kao and his family, provided a $20 million gift to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles to create the Kao Autoimmunity Institute.[13] This funding supports interdisciplinary research aimed at advancing understanding and management of autoimmune diseases, including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, and others such as myositis, multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel disease.[13]
The institute's primary goals are to accelerate the development of improved diagnostics, personalized treatments, and potential cures for autoimmune conditions through collaborative programs that unite clinicians, researchers, and allied health professionals across disciplines.[13] It emphasizes integrated care models, such as the dedicated Scleroderma Program, which combines clinical services, outreach, training, and education to enhance patient outcomes and foster innovation in rheumatology.[13] By recruiting leading experts, including directors Nunzio Bottini, MD, PhD, and Francesco Boin, MD, the institute seeks to position Cedars-Sinai as a global center of excellence in autoimmunity research.[38]
A ribbon-cutting ceremony in June 2024 marked the official opening of the institute's clinical spaces, attended by Min Kao and family members alongside Cedars-Sinai leadership, highlighting its role in addressing the needs of the estimated 24 million Americans affected by autoimmune diseases and promising far-reaching impacts on worldwide research efforts.[38][39]
Establishment of the Kao Family Foundation
The Kao Family Foundation was established in 2004 in Olathe, Kansas, by Min H. Kao and his wife, Yu-Fan (Fan) C. Kao, to centralize and manage the family's philanthropic efforts in supporting charitable causes worldwide.[12] As a private foundation, it obtained tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code effective January 2005, enabling tax-deductible contributions to fund its initiatives.[40] Min H. Kao serves as president and a director, with Fan C. Kao as treasurer and director, alongside other family members in leadership roles.[40]
The foundation's mission centers on fostering a more equitable and sustainable world through targeted grantmaking in key areas, including STEM education, health and medical research, humanitarian aid, arts and culture, and environmental sustainability.[41] It typically awards over 20 grants annually, prioritizing transformative programs that promote long-term impact and innovation in these domains. Operations emphasize strategic partnerships with established institutions to address pressing global challenges, such as advancing medical breakthroughs and supporting educational access.
In 2019, the family established a sister organization, the Kao Family Education Foundation in Taiwan, to support underprivileged high school students through hands-on learning programs in STEM and vocational skills, benefiting over 4,000 students annually.[11][37]
In recent years, the foundation has administered significant high-profile gifts, including a $20 million pledge in 2024 to National Taiwan University to establish endowed professorships and fellowships aimed at attracting top academic talent in engineering and computer science.[36] Similarly, it facilitated the 2024 opening of the Kao Autoimmunity Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, funded by a prior $20 million commitment to accelerate research on autoimmune diseases.[42]
As of the latest available filings for the fiscal year ending December 2023, the foundation reported total assets of approximately $98 million, reflecting its substantial endowment to sustain ongoing and future philanthropic activities.[40]
Awards and Honors
Engineering and Business Recognitions
In 2011, Min Kao was elected to the National Academy of Engineering for his leadership in developing and commercializing compact GPS navigation devices.[28] This honor recognized his pivotal role in advancing global positioning technology from military applications to widespread consumer use through Garmin's innovations.[43]
Kao was enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2024, alongside Garmin co-founder Gary Burrell, for their contributions to aviation through the integration of GPS technology.[9] Their work established new standards in aviation navigation, enabling precise, real-time positioning for pilots and enhancing safety across general and commercial aviation sectors.[24]
In 2015, Kao and Burrell were inducted into the Kansas Business Hall of Fame for Garmin's transformative economic impact on the region and beyond.[8] The induction highlighted how their entrepreneurial vision grew Garmin from a startup into a global leader in navigation technology, generating thousands of jobs and fostering innovation in Kansas.[44]
Philanthropic and Community Awards
In recognition of his journey as a Taiwanese immigrant and his substantial contributions to American society through business and giving, Min Kao was selected as one of the "Great Immigrants, Great Americans" by the Carnegie Corporation of New York in 2021. This honor highlights his role in cofounding Garmin International, which has created thousands of jobs and advanced GPS technology, alongside his philanthropic efforts supporting education and medical research.[7]
Kao was also inducted into the Immigrant Entrepreneur Hall of Fame by The Immigrant Learning Center in 2012, celebrating his entrepreneurial achievements as a Taiwanese immigrant who built a global enterprise from modest beginnings. This accolade underscores his success in fostering innovation and economic growth, which has been complemented by his charitable initiatives aimed at empowering future generations through education.[6]
Personal Life
Family and Residence
Min H. Kao has been married to Yu-Fan (Fan) Kao since the early 1970s, prior to their immigration to the United States in 1973.[45] Fan Kao plays an active role in the family's philanthropic endeavors, serving as treasurer and director of the Kao Family Foundation, which supports initiatives in education, medical research, and the arts.[46] The couple maintains a low-profile lifestyle, prioritizing privacy despite their substantial wealth; Garmin's publicity team has historically declined interview requests on their behalf to respect this preference.[45]
The Kaos have two children: son Ken Kao, a film producer known for projects such as The Nice Guys (2016) and collaborations with directors like Terrence Malick, and daughter Jen Kao, a fashion designer who studied at Parsons School of Design and has been recognized for her innovative collections.[3][47] Both children pursued creative careers independent of the family business, reflecting the Kaos' emphasis on personal autonomy within the family.[48]
The family resides primarily in Leawood, Kansas, where Min and Fan Kao own a spacious estate in the exclusive Hallbrook Country Club community, valued for its privacy and proximity to Garmin's headquarters.[2][49] They also maintain a luxury apartment in Manhattan's 15 Central Park West, a prestigious condominium overlooking Central Park, which they acquired in 2011 and continue to use as a secondary residence.[50][42] This arrangement, enabled by their wealth from Garmin's success, allows the family to balance Midwestern roots with access to urban cultural centers while upholding their commitment to a discreet personal life.[2]
Wealth and Legacy
Min Kao's net worth is estimated at $6.6 billion as of November 2025, according to Forbes, making him one of the wealthiest individuals in the technology sector.[2] This fortune is primarily derived from his substantial ownership in Garmin Ltd., where he holds approximately 18.7 million shares, representing about 9.5% of the company's value.[4][51] As the co-founder and executive chairman, Kao's wealth reflects the enduring success of Garmin's navigation and wearable technology products, which have generated billions in revenue since the company's inception.
As a Taiwanese immigrant who arrived in the United States in the 1970s, Kao exemplifies immigrant entrepreneurship, rising from an engineering background to build a global enterprise that underscores the contributions of newcomers to American innovation. His legacy, shaped by his career and philanthropy, continues through Garmin's advancements in health monitoring and artificial intelligence, including AI-driven insights for wellness as of 2025.
Disclaimer: This profile is based on publicly available information. No endorsement or affiliation is implied.
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