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{{Short description|Canadian entrepreneur}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Simon Tian
| name = Simon Tian
Line 5: Line 7:
| caption = Tian as a guest speaker at the Wearable Technology Show in London, 2014
| caption = Tian as a guest speaker at the Wearable Technology Show in London, 2014
| native_name =
| native_name =
| birth_name = Simon Tian
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|02|24|mf=yes}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|02|24|mf=yes}}
| birth_place = [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], Canada
| birth_place = [[Montreal]], Quebec, Canada
| death_date =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_place =
| nationality = Canadian
| alma_mater = [[Marianopolis College]] (attended)
| alma_mater = [[Marianopolis College]] (attended)
| occupation = CEO of Fonus
| occupation = CEO of [[Fonus]]
⚫
| awards = {{Ubl
CEO of Neptune
| 2015 [[Thiel Fellowship]]
CEO of Globle
| Top 30 Under 30 ([[Les Affaires]])
| home_town = [[Brossard, Quebec]], Canada
}}
| net_worth = US$58 million to at least US$100 million (January 2020)
⚫
| awards = 2015 [[Thiel Fellowship]]
}}
}}
'''Simon Tian''' (born February 24, 1994) is a Canadian [[business magnate]], [[inventor]], [[Entrepreneurship|entrepreneur]], and [[investor]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/1902283/canadian-entrepreneur-wants-to-replace-your-smartphone-with-smartwatch-hub/|title=Canadian entrepreneur wants to replace your smartphone with smartwatch ‘hub’|last=Bogart|first=Nicole|website=Global News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2015/02/17/neptunes-duo-will-put-your-whole-world-on-your-wrist/|title=Neptune’s Duo will put your whole world on your wrist|website=VentureBeat|access-date=}}</ref> He is the founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of [[Neptune (company)|Neptune]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/business-technology/young-canadian-ceo-aims-to-upend-smartphone-market-with-neptune-duo/article23039003/|title=How a Canadian whiz kid plans to upend the smartphone market|website=The Globe and Mail|access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/neptune-smartwatch-aims-to-make-you-throw-out-your-smartphone-1.2975481|title=Once you have this smartwatch, you may throw out your smartphone|website=CBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://business.financialpost.com/entrepreneur/fp-startups/this-19-year-old-montreal-teen-has-raised-over-200000-on-kickstarter-for-his-neptune-pine-smartwatch|title=This 19-year-old Montreal teen has raised over $200,000 on Kickstarter for his Neptune Pine smartwatch|website=Financial Post}}</ref>, co-founder and CEO of Fonus<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://mobilesyrup.com/2019/11/21/worlds-first-global-carrier-fonus-launches/|title=Fonus claims to be the world's first global carrier|date=2019-11-21|website=MobileSyrup|language=en|access-date=2019-12-01}}</ref>, and co-founder of Globle. Born and raised in a suburb of [[Montreal]], [[Canada]], Tian dropped out of [[CEGEP|pre-university college]] at the age of 17 to start Neptune,<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gigaom.com/2014/03/16/the-team-behind-the-android-watch-phone-the-pine-plan-a-line-of-wearables/|title=The team behind the Android watch phone, the Pine, plans a line of wearables|last=Fehrenbacher|first=Katie|date=2014-03-16|website=Gigaom|access-date=}}</ref> and, as of late 2017, has raised around $7 million from private investors as well as a total of more than $2 million from [[crowdfunding]] sources alone.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=http://www.montrealintechnology.com/neptune-pines-story-a-testament-to-just-do-it-mentality/|title=Neptune Pine’s story a testament to ‘just do it’ mentality|website=Montreal in Technology|access-date=}}</ref> Tian is a 2015 [[Thiel Fellowship|Thiel Fellow]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/meet-the-2015-thiel-fellows-2015-6|title=Billionaire Peter Thiel is giving these 20 kids $100,000 to drop out of college and start companies|website=Business Insider}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://montreal.ctvnews.ca/montreal-whiz-kid-to-be-paid-100-000-to-quit-school-1.2408863|title=Montreal whiz kid to be paid $100,000 to quit school|website=CTV Montreal}}</ref> having been awarded $100,000 by [[PayPal]] co-founder and venture capitalist [[Peter Thiel]] through the [[Thiel Foundation]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/peter-thiel-fellowship-awarded-to-4-canadian-entrepreneurs-1.3102670|title=$100K to drop out of school: 4 Canadian students win fellowship|website=CBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com/business/2015/06/05/four-young-canadians-ditch-school-for-100k-fellowships.html|title=Four young Canadians ditch school for $100K fellowships {{!}} Toronto Star|website=Toronto Star}}</ref> and was named one of the top 30 [[Quebec|Quebecers]] under 30 by [[Les Affaires]] in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.lesaffaires.com/techno/technologie-de-l-information/top-30-des-jeunes-de-30-ans-et-moins-en-ti/569564|title=Top 30 des jeunes de 30 ans et moins en TI|website=Les Affaires}}</ref> Tian launched his second venture, Globle,<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/globle-is-a-new-platform-for-creating-funding-and-launching-new-projects-300669415.html|title=Globle Is A New Platform For Creating, Funding and Launching New Projects|last=Globle|website=www.prnewswire.com|language=en|access-date=2019-12-01}}</ref> in June 2018, and his third venture, Fonus<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":9" /> in November 2019.
'''Simon Tian''' (born February 24, 1994) is a [[Canadians|Canadian]] businessman, [[Invention|inventor]], entrepreneur and investor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/1902283/canadian-entrepreneur-wants-to-replace-your-smartphone-with-smartwatch-hub/|title=Canadian entrepreneur wants to replace your smartphone with smartwatch 'hub'|last=Bogart|first=Nicole|website=Global News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2015/02/17/neptunes-duo-will-put-your-whole-world-on-your-wrist/|title=Neptune's Duo will put your whole world on your wrist|website=VentureBeat|access-date=}}</ref> He is the founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of [[Fonus]]<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=November 21, 2019|title=Fonus claims to be the world's first global carrier|url=https://mobilesyrup.com/2019/11/21/worlds-first-global-carrier-fonus-launches/|access-date=December 1, 2019|website=MobileSyrup|language=en}}</ref> and [[Neptune (company)|Neptune]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/neptune-smartwatch-aims-to-make-you-throw-out-your-smartphone-1.2975481|title=Once you have this smartwatch, you may throw out your smartphone|website=CBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://business.financialpost.com/entrepreneur/fp-startups/this-19-year-old-montreal-teen-has-raised-over-200000-on-kickstarter-for-his-neptune-pine-smartwatch|title=This 19-year-old Montreal teen has raised over $200,000 on Kickstarter for his Neptune Pine smartwatch|website=Financial Post}}</ref> Born and raised in [[Montreal]], Canada, Tian dropped out of [[CEGEP|pre-university college]] at the age of 17 to start Neptune,<ref>{{Cite news|title=How a Canadian whiz kid plans to upend the smartphone market|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/business-technology/young-canadian-ceo-aims-to-upend-smartphone-market-with-neptune-duo/article23039003/|access-date=June 10, 2020}}</ref> and, as of late 2017, has raised around $7&nbsp;million from private investors as well as a total of more than $2&nbsp;million from [[crowdfunding]] sources alone.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Alois|first=J. D.|date=December 22, 2013|title=Neptune Pine SmartWatch Crowdfunds Over $800,000 on Kickstarter|url=https://www.crowdfundinsider.com/2013/12/28826-neptune-pine-watch-crowdfunds-800000-kickstarter/|access-date=June 10, 2020|website=Crowdfund Insider|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Czikk|first=Joseph|date=May 28, 2015|title=Neptune Pine's story a testament to 'just do it' mentality|url=http://www.montrealintechnology.com/neptune-pines-story-a-testament-to-just-do-it-mentality/|access-date=June 10, 2020|website=Montreal in Technology|language=en-CA}}</ref> Tian is a 2015 [[Thiel Fellowship|Thiel Fellow]], having been awarded $100,000 by [[PayPal]] co-founder and venture capitalist [[Peter Thiel]] through the [[Thiel Foundation]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Billionaire Peter Thiel is giving these 20 kids $100,000 to drop out of college and start companies|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/meet-the-2015-thiel-fellows-2015-6|website=Business Insider}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Montreal whiz kid to be paid $100,000 to quit school|url=http://montreal.ctvnews.ca/montreal-whiz-kid-to-be-paid-100-000-to-quit-school-1.2408863|website=CTV Montreal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=$100K to drop out of school: 4 Canadian students win fellowship|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/peter-thiel-fellowship-awarded-to-4-canadian-entrepreneurs-1.3102670|website=CBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Four young Canadians ditch school for $100K fellowships {{!}} Toronto Star|url=https://www.thestar.com/business/2015/06/05/four-young-canadians-ditch-school-for-100k-fellowships.html|website=Toronto Star}}</ref> and was named one of the top 30 [[Quebec]]ers under 30 by [[Les Affaires]] in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Top 30 des jeunes de 30 ans et moins en TI|url=https://www.lesaffaires.com/techno/technologie-de-l-information/top-30-des-jeunes-de-30-ans-et-moins-en-ti/569564|access-date=June 10, 2020|website=www.lesaffaires.com|language=fr}}</ref>

Tian is a controversial figure in Canada, due to his unpredictable temperament and his frequent use of profanity towards customers, other business owners, and journalists on platforms such as [[Twitter]], [[Reddit]], and [[Telegram (software)|Telegram]].<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":12" /> He has often been compared to US President [[Donald Trump]], and has been nicknamed by some Internet users as the 'Tian man'.<ref name=":10" /> Tian has also openly admitted to having frequently used [[alcohol]] and [[cannabis]] in the past, and for having once suffered from clinical [[Depression (mood)|depression]] and [[anxiety]].<ref name=":10" />

As of 2019, Tian's net worth was estimated to be around $5 million, up from $1 million in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://trendcelebsnow.com/simon-tian-net-worth/|title=Simon Tian - Net Worth 2020, Age, Bio, Height, Wiki, Facts!|last=ctnadmin|website=Trending Celebs Now|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-21}}</ref> As of January 2020, the latest estimates of Tian's net worth vary from at least $58 million to more than $100 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://celebstrendingnow.com/simon-tian-net-worth/|title=Simon Tian - Net Worth, Salary, Age, Height, Bio, Wiki!|last=Admin|first=Blog|website=Celebs Trending Now|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-21}}</ref><ref name=":10" /> This makes Tian one of the richest individuals in Canada and places him in the top 0.03% percentile of net worth amongst Canadians.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thekickassentrepreneur.com/net-worth-percentile-calculator-canada/|title=Net Worth Percentile Calculator for Canada Including 23 Wealth and Income Statistics|date=2019-10-29|website=The Kickass Entrepreneur|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-21}}</ref>


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
Tian was born to [[Chinese Canadians|Chinese Canadian]] parents in [[Montreal]], [[Quebec]], in 1994.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://www.crowdfundinsider.com/2013/12/28826-neptune-pine-watch-crowdfunds-800000-kickstarter/|title=Neptune Pine SmartWatch Crowdfunds Over $800,000 on Kickstarter|date=2013-12-22|website=Crowdfund Insider}}</ref> He was raised in [[Brossard|Brossard, Quebec]],<ref name=":0" /> a suburb of Montreal, and attended secondary school at [[Collège Jean de la Mennais|Jean de la Mennais College]], a French-speaking school in [[La Prairie, Quebec]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceosimon|title=Simon Tian {{!}} LinkedIn|website=LinkedIn}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=http://www.profiwiki.com/education/dVduV3lyS3Vk/Montreal,+Canada+Area/Founder+%2526+CEO/Simon-Tian|title=Education: Simon Tian - Founder & CEO at Neptune Computer Inc. from Montreal, Quebec, Canada Area|website=ProfiWiki|access-date=}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=http://montreal.eventful.com/events/eweek-keynote-speaker-fireside-chat-simon-tian-/E0-001-074889827-4|title=EWeek Keynote Speaker: Fireside Chat with Simon Tian, Founder of Neptune|website=Eventful|access-date=}}</ref> Tian is fluent in [[English language|English]], [[French language|French]], and [[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]].<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":6" />
Tian was born to [[Chinese Canadians|Chinese Canadian]] parents in [[Montreal|Montreal, Quebec]], in 1994. He was raised in [[Brossard|Brossard, Quebec]],<ref name=":2" /> a suburb of Montreal, and attended secondary school at [[Collège Jean de la Mennais|Jean de la Mennais College]], a French-speaking school in [[La Prairie, Quebec]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Eventful: EWeek Keynote Speaker: Fireside Chat with Simon Tian, Founder of Neptune|url=https://montreal.eventful.com/events/eweek-keynote-speaker-fireside-chat-simon-tian-fo-/E0-001-074889827-4|access-date=June 10, 2020|website=Eventful|language=en}}</ref> Tian is fluent in English, French, and [[Mandarin Chinese|Mandarin]]. Tian is also a classically-trained pianist, having won first place in piano performance at the Canadian Music Competition in 2008 at age 13.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Canadian Music Competition 2008 / Results / Detailed Results / Piano – Canadian Music Competition|url=https://www.cmcnational.com/en/cmc2008/resultats/details/piano/|access-date=June 10, 2020|website=www.cmcnational.com}}</ref>


== Career ==
== Career ==
Tian started Neptune in January 2013, while he was 17 and still studying at [[Marianopolis College]], a pre-university college ([[CEGEP]]) in [[Westmount, Quebec]].<ref name=":0" /> Before building a prototype or incorporating a company, Tian posted some conceptual drawings of a smartwatch, the [[Neptune Pine]], on a website he built using [[Weebly]], issued a press release through [[PRWeb]] announcing the product along with delivery dates, and proceeded to receive more than 20,000 orders for the device in a few weeks.<ref name=":0" />
Tian started [[Neptune (company)|Neptune]], a wearable technology company, in January 2013, while he was 17 and still studying at [[Marianopolis College]], in Westmount, Quebec. Before building a prototype or incorporating the company, Tian posted some conceptual drawings of a smartwatch, the [[Neptune Pine]], on the internet and issued a press release announcing the product's launch. He received more than 20,000 orders for the device in a few weeks.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=How a Canadian whiz kid plans to upend the smartphone market|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/business-technology/young-canadian-ceo-aims-to-upend-smartphone-market-with-neptune-duo/article23039003/|website=The Globe and Mail|access-date=}}</ref> Following the interest in his conceptual drawings, Tian dropped out of school and travelled to China to meet with manufacturers to have the device developed. In November 2013, he launched a crowdfunding campaign to finance the product's development.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/11/21/neptune-pine-simon-tian_n_4318382.html|title=Teen Dropout Gets $200,000 In Crowdfunding For This Invention|website=The Huffington Post}}</ref> Within 27 hours, the campaign surpassed its funding goal of $100,000, and went on to raise more than $800,000 in 30 days.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|title=Neptune Pine SmartWatch Crowdfunds Over $800,000 on Kickstarter|url=http://www.crowdfundinsider.com/2013/12/28826-neptune-pine-watch-crowdfunds-800000-kickstarter/|date=December 22, 2013|website=Crowdfund Insider}}</ref>

Tian then dropped out of school and traveled to China to meet with contract manufacturers to have the device developed.<ref name=":0" /> In November 2013, he launched a crowdfunding campaign for the Pine on [[Kickstarter]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/11/21/neptune-pine-simon-tian_n_4318382.html|title=Teen Dropout Gets $200,000 In Crowdfunding For This Invention|website=The Huffington Post}}</ref> Within 27 hours, the campaign surpassed its funding goal of $100,000,<ref name=":7" /> and ultimately went on to raise more than $800,000 in 30 days.<ref name=":3" />

The device started shipping by August 2014,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.droid-life.com/2014/08/06/neptune-pine-smartwatches-being-shipped-out-to-kickstarter-backers/|title=Neptune Pine Smartwatches Being Shipped Out to Kickstarter Backers|last=Tim-o-tato|date=2014-08-06|website=Droid Life|access-date=}}</ref> and eventually became widely available through [[Best Buy]] and [[Amazon.com|Amazon]], generating around $5 million in total retail sales.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/neptune-neptune-pine-16gb-smartwatch-with-gps-large-black-p312bg16/10326320.aspx|title=Neptune Pine 16GB Smartwatch with GPS - Large - Black|website=Best Buy Canada|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420110650/http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/neptune-neptune-pine-16gb-smartwatch-with-gps-large-black-p312bg16/10326320.aspx|archive-date=2016-04-20|df=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.amazon.ca/NEPTUNE-Pine-16GB-Smartwatch-Packaging/dp/B00NQTO2Z6|title=NEPTUNE Pine 16GB Smartwatch - Retail Packaging - Black - Amazon}}</ref> It was prominently featured in the 2017 film [[The Fate of the Furious]], the [[CBS]] TV series [[Extant (TV series)|Extant]] produced by [[Steven Spielberg]] and starring [[Halle Berry]], as well as the music video for the song [[SmartPhones (song)|Smartphones]] by [[Trey Songz]]. The Pine has gotten mixed reviews from the press, generally praising its extensive set of features, while criticizing its large size.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/watch-reviews/neptune-pine-review/|title=Yes, we really had to wear this in public to review it for you|website=Digital Trends|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/the-joy-and-misery-of-life-with-a-grotesquely-large-sm-1637632048|title=The Joy and Misery of Life With a Grotesquely Large "Smartwatch"|last=Aguilar|first=Mario|website=Gizmodo|language=en-US}}</ref>

In March 2015, Tian announced the Neptune Suite through an [[Indiegogo]] campaign, raising close to $1.2 million in a month.<ref name=":5" /> [[Christopher Mims]] of the [[The Wall Street Journal|Wall Street Journal]] described the Suite as "a literal interpretation of the fact that a smartwatch, smartphone and tablet are all just different size windows on the same set of apps and services."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-the-time-isnt-yet-ripe-for-smartwatches-1428275328|title=Why the Time Isn’t Ripe for Smartwatches|last=Mims|first=Christopher|date=2015-04-05|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|issn=0099-9660|access-date=}}</ref> Daniel Cooper of [[Engadget]] commented on the ambitious nature of the product vision, writing, "Technology is all about big ideas, and this one from Simon Tian will probably need its own aircraft hangar."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2015/03/16/neptune-hub-screens-acessories/|title=Neptune outs dumb screens, accessories for its weirdo wrist computer|website=Engadget}}</ref> Cliff Kuang of [[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] called the Suite "a taste of what computing should be in 2025",<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wired.com/2015/03/neptune-suite-taste-computing-2025/|title=Neptune Suite: A Taste of What Computing Should Be in 2025|website=WIRED|language=en-US}}</ref> and [[the Verge]] wrote, "the idea of putting all the brains and power of mobile computing into something attached to your body instead of in a pocket or bag is wildly attractive."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/3/16/8227547/neptune-suite-smartwatch-hub-project|title=One company is trying to sell a smartwatch that powers phones, tablets, TVs, and more|last=Lowensohn|first=Josh|date=2015-03-16|website=The Verge}}</ref>

In November 2015, Tian was invited by the Mayor of Montreal [[Denis Coderre]] to attend the 2015 Montreal [[Trade mission|Trade Mission]] to China as one of the city's representatives.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/BUR_DU_MAIRE_FR/MEDIA/DOCUMENTS/LISTE_DES_PARTICIPANTS_A_LA_MISSION_CHINE.PDF|title=Liste des Participants à la Mission Chine|last=|first=|date=October 2015|website=Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal|publisher=City of Montreal|access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/portal/page?_pageid=5977,43117560&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&id=25910|title=Positive results for Mayor Coderre's trade mission to China :Strengthening institutional, political and economic ties between Montréal and Chinese cities|last=|first=|date=November 6, 2015|website=City of Montreal|publisher=City of Montreal|access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.btmm.qc.ca/en/denis_coderre_mc_en_chine-/|title=The Mayor of Montréal to preside a trade mission to China|website=Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal}}</ref>

In 2017, [[Steve Mann (inventor)|Steve Mann]], the inventor of the world's first general-purpose [[wearable computer]] as well as [[high-dynamic-range imaging]] (HDR), joined Neptune as a [[Chief scientific officer|Chief Scientist]]. Mann is commonly referred to as the "father of wearable computing" by the mainstream press.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2001/aug/02/onlinesupplement.gadgets|title=From man to borg - Is this the future?|last=Schofield|first=Jack|date=2001-08-02|website=the Guardian|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140510092912/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2001/aug/02/onlinesupplement.gadgets|archive-date=2014-05-10|url-status=dead}}</ref> As of late 2017, in addition to the total of more than $2 million raised through public crowdfunding sources, Neptune has also reportedly raised around $6 million from private investors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://angel.co/neptuneinc|title=Neptune - AngelList Profile|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status=|access-date=}}</ref>

In June 2018, Tian announced his second company, Globle.<ref name=":1" /> Globle aims to be a [[blockchain]] platform that [[Democracy|democratizes]] the creation, funding, and management of new projects and enterprises.<ref name=":2" /> Globle's management team and [[Advisory board|board of advisors]] consists of renowned individuals in the blockchain space such as [[Eric Weinstein]], [[Joshua Gans]], Liam Horne,<ref name=":2" /> and the [[Ethereum Foundation]].<ref name=":2" />

In late 2019, Tian announced his third company, Fonus.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fonus.me/|title=The World's First Global Carrier {{!}} Fonus|website=The World's First Global Carrier {{!}} Fonus|language=en|access-date=2019-12-01}}</ref> Fonus aims to become a global [[mobile virtual network operator]] (MVNO), offering SIM cards priced at US$15 and an unlimited data, talk and text plan at US$30 per month. The company claims that no additional roaming fees would be charged in over 40 countries,<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/introducing_fonus_the_worlds_first_global_carrier/prweb16738197.htm|title=Introducing Fonus - The World’s First Global Carrier|last=|first=|date=|website=PRWeb|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> and that long-distance calls to all landlines and mobiles worldwide would be included in the plan at no additional fees.<ref name=":8" /> As of December 1, 2019, there is substantial skepticism from Canadian media outlets<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://mobilesyrup.com/2019/11/21/worlds-first-global-carrier-fonus-launches/|title=Fonus claims to be the world's first global carrier|date=2019-11-21|website=MobileSyrup|language=en|access-date=2019-12-01}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite web|url=https://www.iphoneincanada.ca/carriers/fonus-global-wireless-carrier/|title=Fonus Claims It’s the First Global Carrier, Offers $30 Plan with Unlimited Everything [u]|date=2019-11-22|website=iPhone in Canada Blog|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-01}}</ref> and from social media communities<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Fonus/|title=Fonus - subreddit|last=|first=|date=|website=Reddit|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> about the legitimacy of Fonus.

On December 20, 2019, Fonus officially started shipping to its customers, exactly thirty days after its initial announcement on November 20, 2019.<ref name=":10" /> Customers started receiving their SIM cards in early January, and many of them started posting 'test videos' of the cards onto [[YouTube]].<ref name=":11">{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC44i4Itx_3Mt40KKnq0uZaA|title=Fonus|website=YouTube|language=en|access-date=2020-01-22}}</ref> The maximal download speed reached by a customer's speed test was more than 90 Mbps, performed by "parrotfive YY" (username on [[Telegram (software)|Telegram]]) in the [[Greater Toronto Area]].<ref name=":11" /> Fonus' CMO, Samir Firouz, also performed a speed test in Montreal, reaching a maximal speed of around 54 Mbps.<ref name=":11" /> Firouz also performed a successful phone call test to a local [[Pizza Hut]] restaurant.<ref name=":11" />

==Controversies==
Tian's ventures have been the subject of controversy.<ref name=":10" /> Tian raised US$1.15 million dollars on [[Indiegogo]] for the [[Neptune (company)|Neptune]] Suite in 2015, initially estimating a ship date of April 2016.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/neptune-suite-one-hub-infinite-possibilities#/updates/all | title = Neptune Suite - One Hub, Infinite Possibilities | website = Indiegogo}}</ref> However, as of December 2019, Tian had yet to ship the product to backers <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/neptune-suite-one-hub-infinite-possibilities#/comments|title=Neptune Suite - One Hub, Infinite Posibilities | website=Indiegogo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/pictures/crowdfunding-projects-that-left-backers-jilted-at-the-altar/9/| title=Crowdfunding projects that left backers jilted at the altar|website=ZDNet|last=Rubin|first=Ross|date=2019-02-07}}</ref>, leading many to call this project a "[[Confidence trick|scam]]" and a [[Fraud|fraudulent]] operation. Tian claims that the project ultimately needed around US$20 million dollars in order to be realized, and that the US$1.15 million was not enough.<ref name=":10" />

The legitimacy of Tian's latest project, Fonus, has also been called into question. After a Canadian entrepreneur and software developer, Darryl Wright, had doubts about his purchase of the US$15 Fonus SIM card, he and Tian began to argue on a [[Reddit]] private message (PM) conversation. When the customer asked for a refund, Tian declined, stating "Nah, you're not getting it. [...]", and directly wrote profane statements towards the customer. <ref>{{cite web | url=https://medium.com/@eyesno/my-exchange-with-the-ceo-of-fonus-inc-eb330c8934e7|first=Darryl|last=Wright|title=My Exchange with the "CEO" of the Really Real Fonus Inc.|website = Medium}}</ref> Tian states that Wright had committed the criminal act of [[extortion]], as Wright was leveraging Tian's confidential non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with [[AT&T]] that Tian had sent to Wright previously in order to obtain his refund.<ref name=":10" />

Furthermore, his claim that Fonus will leverage [[Telus|Telus Communications']] network in Canada has been rejected by Telus, who say they have "no relationship" with Fonus and have asked Tian to remove references to Telus from its website.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.iphoneincanada.ca/carriers/telus-no-relationship-fonus/|title = Telus Says It Has "No Known Relationship with Fonus|website=iPhone in Canada | last=Ng | first=Gary}}</ref> According to public claims by Tian though, Telus reportedly called Tian back that very day and apologized for an internal misunderstanding between Telus' public relations (PR) department and their business development group.<ref name=":10" /> Tian also states that he has maintained a close business partnership with Telus since 2014, and has released a press release on December 16, 2019, stipulating that he was immediately terminating all business relationships between his companies and Telus.<ref name=":10" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/press-release/fonus-ceo-cancels-5-year-business-relationship-with-telus-2019-12-16|title=Fonus CEO cancels 5-year business relationship with Telus|website=MarketWatch|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abc-7.com/story/41460062/fonus-ceo-cancels-5-year-business-relationship-with-telus|title=Fonus CEO cancels 5-year business relationship with Telus|website=www.abc-7.com|language=en|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref>


The Pine was prominently featured in the 2017 film [[The Fate of the Furious]], the [[CBS]] TV series [[Extant (TV series)|Extant]] produced by [[Steven Spielberg]] and starring [[Halle Berry]], as well as the music video for the song [[SmartPhones (song)|Smartphones]] by [[Trey Songz]]. The device received mixed reviews from the press, with many criticizing its large size and functionality.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/watch-reviews/neptune-pine-review/|title=Yes, we really had to wear this in public to review it for you|website=Digital Trends|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/the-joy-and-misery-of-life-with-a-grotesquely-large-sm-1637632048|title=The Joy and Misery of Life With a Grotesquely Large "Smartwatch"|last=Aguilar|first=Mario|website=Gizmodo|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Behold: a wristband that replaces your phone with a dumber phone|url=https://www.engadget.com/2015-02-17-neptune-duo.html|website=Engadget|language=en|access-date=May 29, 2020}}</ref>
On January 1, 2020, Tian was allegedly 'pushed down a mountain' by a stranger in [[Hong Kong]], while he was walking down from [[Victoria Peak]], and fell around 20-30 feet onto a rock.<ref name=":10" /> He was immediately transported to the [[Canossa Hospital]], a private hospital on [[Hong Kong Island]], and was treated with antibiotic and painkilling injections.<ref name=":10" /> Tian claims that the incident happened at around 12:04am and that he checked out of the hospital at around 1:30am.<ref name=":10" />


In November 2015, Tian was invited by the Mayor of Montreal [[Denis Coderre]] to attend the 2015 Montreal [[Trade mission]] to China as one of the city's representatives.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=October 2015|title=Liste des Participants à la Mission Chine|url=http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/BUR_DU_MAIRE_FR/MEDIA/DOCUMENTS/LISTE_DES_PARTICIPANTS_A_LA_MISSION_CHINE.PDF|access-date=|website=|publisher=Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal}}</ref> Tian raised US$1.15&nbsp;million for the Neptune Suite in 2015, estimating the products would be ready for shipping in April 2016.<ref name="indie">{{cite web |title=Neptune Suite – One Hub, Infinite Possibilities |url=https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/neptune-suite-one-hub-infinite-possibilities#/updates/all |website=[[Indiegogo]]}}</ref> However, Tian claims that the project ultimately needed more financing to be realized, and that the funds he had raised were not sufficient to complete development of the product.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eine Million US$ kam für diesen Computer der Zukunft zusammen – weshalb es ihn trotzdem nie geben wird |url=https://www.aargauerzeitung.ch/leben/digital/eine-million-us-kam-fuer-diesen-computer-der-zukunft-zusammen-weshalb-es-ihn-trotzdem-nie-geben-wird-131775311 |access-date=May 29, 2020 |website=[[Aargauer Zeitung]] |language=de-ch}}</ref> In late 2017, Neptune, Tian's first company, was acquired for an undisclosed amount.<ref>{{Cite web |last=vbcam |date=2014-03-06 |title=4 Kickstarter projects take on tech giants in the wearables industry |url=https://venturebeat.com/business/4-kickstarter-projects-taking-on-tech-giants-in-the-wearables-industry/ |access-date=2024-09-27 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US}}</ref>
On January 4, 2020, Tian and other executives at Fonus were [[Cyberattack|cyberattacked]] and [[Impersonator|impersonated]] by numerous perpetrators online. In certain cases, the hackers have been able to fully convince the community that the project was a "scam" and that Tian was running a [[Fraud|fraudulent operation]].<ref name=":10" />


In November 2019, Tian announced the launch of [[Fonus]], an American telecommunications company based in [[Santa Monica, California]], operating as a [[mobile virtual network operator]] on [[AT&T]]’s network.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|title=US MVNO Fonus launches unlimited USD 30 plan with AT&T 5G|url=https://www.telecompaper.com/news/us-mvno-fonus-launches-unlimited-usd-30-plan-with-atandt-5g--1381803|access-date=May 6, 2021|website=www.telecompaper.com|language=en}}</ref> The company offers a single monthly prepaid plan as opposed to the usual multi-plan offerings of other carriers, providing users with unlimited data, unlimited calls and texts worldwide, and free roaming in the United States, Canada and Mexico at a fixed monthly fee.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|title=Fonus launches $30 cellular plan with up to 5G speeds of unlimited data, unlimited calls & texts worldwide via the Fonus app, and free roaming across North America|url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/fonus-launches-30-cellular-plan-with-up-to-5g-speeds-of-unlimited-data-unlimited-calls-amp-texts-worldwide-via-the-fonus-app-and-free-roaming-across-north-america-801909799.html|access-date=May 6, 2021|website=PRWeb}}</ref> The data operates on AT&T's cellular network in the United States, whereas the calls and texts are provided through Fonus' proprietary [[voice over IP]] (VoIP) application.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" />
On January 11, 2020, at about 7:42pm local time, Tian was arrested by the [[Singapore Police Force]] at a local [[7-Eleven]] store near [[Downtown Core|Downtown Singapore]], for 'possession of arms without license'. Tian claims he was carrying a large [[Swiss Army knife|Swiss knife]], solely for self-defense purposes.<ref name=":10" /> He was detained for more than 40 hours and was subsequently released with a stern warning from the police. Upon release on January 13, 2020, Tian immediately boarded a flight out of Singapore the next morning.<ref name=":10" />


In late 2023, Tian unveiled global wireless plans on Fonus with unlimited data, calls & texts in over 50 countries, starting at US$19.99 per month.<ref name=":42">{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Fonus launches global wireless plans with unlimited data, calls & texts all over the world, starting at US$19.99 per month |url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/fonus-launches-global-wireless-plans-with-unlimited-data-calls--texts-all-over-the-world-starting-at-us19-99-per-month-302018040.html |access-date=2024-02-11 |website=[[PRWeb]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last=McKenna |first=Alain |date=2024-11-27 |title=Vie numérique: Dire adieu aux frais d’itinérance, est-ce possible ? |url=https://www.lapresse.ca/affaires/techno/2024-11-27/vie-numerique/dire-adieu-aux-frais-d-itinerance-est-ce-possible.php |access-date=2024-11-28 |work=La Presse |language=fr-CA}}</ref> International calls to over 85 countries are included and unlimited. The plans provide 5G speeds worldwide and are available in physical SIM and eSIM formats.<ref name=":6" /> Mobile hotspotting, visual voicemail, and Wi-Fi Calling are also supported.<ref name=":42" />
On January 21, 2020, Tian tweeted media outlets [[National Post]], [https://mobilesyrup.com/ MobileSyrup], and [https://www.iphoneincanada.ca/ iPhoneinCanada], and stated, "If you guys keep painting us [Fonus] in bad light, especially after we've shown proof of our service working, I will bring all of you to court. All three (3) of you. One (1) more negative article and that's it. I'm calling it." This happened after journalists [https://business.financialpost.com/author/jmcleodpostmedia James McLeod] (National Post), and [https://mobilesyrup.com/author/patrickorourke/page/33/ Patrick O'Rourke] (MobileSyrup) started arguing with Tian on Twitter over the legitimacy of Fonus.<ref name=":12" />


In May 2024, Tian announced a strategic partnership between Fonus and [[Tata Communications]], leveraging Tata’s proprietary platform to expand and streamline Fonus’ wireless coverage worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-31 |title=Transforming customer experience worldwide: Fonus visionary growth as a global MVNO powered by Tata Communications MOVE™ |url=https://www.tatacommunications.com/resourcehub/case-study/fonus-visionary-growth-by-tata-communications-move |access-date=2024-10-01 |website=www.tatacommunications.com}}</ref>
Tian has often been compared to US President [[Donald Trump]],<ref name=":10" /> with his frequent use of profanity towards customers, other business owners, and journalists on social platforms such as [[Twitter]], [[Reddit]], and [[Telegram (software)|Telegram]].<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/_SimonTian|title=Simon Tian (@_SimonTian) {{!}} Twitter|website=twitter.com|language=en|access-date=2020-01-22}}</ref>
== See also ==
* [[Neptune (company)]]
* [[Neptune Pine]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist}}


{{Authority control}}
== External links ==
* [http://www.getneptune.com Neptune Official Website]


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Latest revision as of 06:57, 11 December 2024

Simon Tian
Tian as a guest speaker at the Wearable Technology Show in London, 2014
Born (1994-02-24) February 24, 1994 (age 30)
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Alma materMarianopolis College (attended)
OccupationCEO of Fonus
Awards

Simon Tian (born February 24, 1994) is a Canadian businessman, inventor, entrepreneur and investor.[1][2] He is the founder and chief executive officer (CEO) of Fonus[3] and Neptune.[4][5] Born and raised in Montreal, Canada, Tian dropped out of pre-university college at the age of 17 to start Neptune,[6] and, as of late 2017, has raised around $7 million from private investors as well as a total of more than $2 million from crowdfunding sources alone.[7][8] Tian is a 2015 Thiel Fellow, having been awarded $100,000 by PayPal co-founder and venture capitalist Peter Thiel through the Thiel Foundation,[9][10][11][12] and was named one of the top 30 Quebecers under 30 by Les Affaires in 2014.[13]

Early life

[edit]

Tian was born to Chinese Canadian parents in Montreal, Quebec, in 1994. He was raised in Brossard, Quebec,[4] a suburb of Montreal, and attended secondary school at Jean de la Mennais College, a French-speaking school in La Prairie, Quebec.[14] Tian is fluent in English, French, and Mandarin. Tian is also a classically-trained pianist, having won first place in piano performance at the Canadian Music Competition in 2008 at age 13.[15]

Career

[edit]

Tian started Neptune, a wearable technology company, in January 2013, while he was 17 and still studying at Marianopolis College, in Westmount, Quebec. Before building a prototype or incorporating the company, Tian posted some conceptual drawings of a smartwatch, the Neptune Pine, on the internet and issued a press release announcing the product's launch. He received more than 20,000 orders for the device in a few weeks.[16] Following the interest in his conceptual drawings, Tian dropped out of school and travelled to China to meet with manufacturers to have the device developed. In November 2013, he launched a crowdfunding campaign to finance the product's development.[16][17] Within 27 hours, the campaign surpassed its funding goal of $100,000, and went on to raise more than $800,000 in 30 days.[18]

The Pine was prominently featured in the 2017 film The Fate of the Furious, the CBS TV series Extant produced by Steven Spielberg and starring Halle Berry, as well as the music video for the song Smartphones by Trey Songz. The device received mixed reviews from the press, with many criticizing its large size and functionality.[19][20][21]

In November 2015, Tian was invited by the Mayor of Montreal Denis Coderre to attend the 2015 Montreal Trade mission to China as one of the city's representatives.[22] Tian raised US$1.15 million for the Neptune Suite in 2015, estimating the products would be ready for shipping in April 2016.[23] However, Tian claims that the project ultimately needed more financing to be realized, and that the funds he had raised were not sufficient to complete development of the product.[24] In late 2017, Neptune, Tian's first company, was acquired for an undisclosed amount.[25]

In November 2019, Tian announced the launch of Fonus, an American telecommunications company based in Santa Monica, California, operating as a mobile virtual network operator on AT&T’s network.[26] The company offers a single monthly prepaid plan as opposed to the usual multi-plan offerings of other carriers, providing users with unlimited data, unlimited calls and texts worldwide, and free roaming in the United States, Canada and Mexico at a fixed monthly fee.[27] The data operates on AT&T's cellular network in the United States, whereas the calls and texts are provided through Fonus' proprietary voice over IP (VoIP) application.[26][27]

In late 2023, Tian unveiled global wireless plans on Fonus with unlimited data, calls & texts in over 50 countries, starting at US$19.99 per month.[28][29] International calls to over 85 countries are included and unlimited. The plans provide 5G speeds worldwide and are available in physical SIM and eSIM formats.[29] Mobile hotspotting, visual voicemail, and Wi-Fi Calling are also supported.[28]

In May 2024, Tian announced a strategic partnership between Fonus and Tata Communications, leveraging Tata’s proprietary platform to expand and streamline Fonus’ wireless coverage worldwide.[30]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Bogart, Nicole. "Canadian entrepreneur wants to replace your smartphone with smartwatch 'hub'". Global News.
  2. ^ "Neptune's Duo will put your whole world on your wrist". VentureBeat.
  3. ^ "Fonus claims to be the world's first global carrier". MobileSyrup. November 21, 2019. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Once you have this smartwatch, you may throw out your smartphone". CBC.
  5. ^ "This 19-year-old Montreal teen has raised over $200,000 on Kickstarter for his Neptune Pine smartwatch". Financial Post.
  6. ^ "How a Canadian whiz kid plans to upend the smartphone market". Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  7. ^ Alois, J. D. (December 22, 2013). "Neptune Pine SmartWatch Crowdfunds Over $800,000 on Kickstarter". Crowdfund Insider. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  8. ^ Czikk, Joseph (May 28, 2015). "Neptune Pine's story a testament to 'just do it' mentality". Montreal in Technology. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  9. ^ "Billionaire Peter Thiel is giving these 20 kids $100,000 to drop out of college and start companies". Business Insider.
  10. ^ "Montreal whiz kid to be paid $100,000 to quit school". CTV Montreal.
  11. ^ "$100K to drop out of school: 4 Canadian students win fellowship". CBC.
  12. ^ "Four young Canadians ditch school for $100K fellowships | Toronto Star". Toronto Star.
  13. ^ "Top 30 des jeunes de 30 ans et moins en TI". www.lesaffaires.com (in French). Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  14. ^ "Eventful: EWeek Keynote Speaker: Fireside Chat with Simon Tian, Founder of Neptune". Eventful. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  15. ^ "Canadian Music Competition 2008 / Results / Detailed Results / Piano – Canadian Music Competition". www.cmcnational.com. Retrieved June 10, 2020.
  16. ^ a b "How a Canadian whiz kid plans to upend the smartphone market". The Globe and Mail.
  17. ^ "Teen Dropout Gets $200,000 In Crowdfunding For This Invention". The Huffington Post.
  18. ^ "Neptune Pine SmartWatch Crowdfunds Over $800,000 on Kickstarter". Crowdfund Insider. December 22, 2013.
  19. ^ "Yes, we really had to wear this in public to review it for you". Digital Trends.
  20. ^ Aguilar, Mario. "The Joy and Misery of Life With a Grotesquely Large "Smartwatch"". Gizmodo.
  21. ^ "Behold: a wristband that replaces your phone with a dumber phone". Engadget. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  22. ^ "Liste des Participants à la Mission Chine" (PDF). Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. October 2015.
  23. ^ "Neptune Suite – One Hub, Infinite Possibilities". Indiegogo.
  24. ^ "Eine Million US$ kam für diesen Computer der Zukunft zusammen – weshalb es ihn trotzdem nie geben wird". Aargauer Zeitung (in Swiss High German). Retrieved May 29, 2020.
  25. ^ vbcam (March 6, 2014). "4 Kickstarter projects take on tech giants in the wearables industry". VentureBeat. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  26. ^ a b "US MVNO Fonus launches unlimited USD 30 plan with AT&T 5G". www.telecompaper.com. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  27. ^ a b "Fonus launches $30 cellular plan with up to 5G speeds of unlimited data, unlimited calls & texts worldwide via the Fonus app, and free roaming across North America". PRWeb. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  28. ^ a b "Fonus launches global wireless plans with unlimited data, calls & texts all over the world, starting at US$19.99 per month". PRWeb. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  29. ^ a b McKenna, Alain (November 27, 2024). "Vie numérique: Dire adieu aux frais d'itinérance, est-ce possible ?". La Presse (in Canadian French). Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  30. ^ "Transforming customer experience worldwide: Fonus visionary growth as a global MVNO powered by Tata Communications MOVE™". www.tatacommunications.com. May 31, 2024. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
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