Chu, 56, ranked 47th on the 2026 Malaysia’s Richest list released by Forbes on Wednesday, with a net worth of about $565 million.

He told Forbes in an email that the expansion of AI infrastructure, which is increasing demand for advanced semiconductors, is driving growth for the company by raising "the need for more precise, higher-throughput and higher-reliability inspection solutions."

ViTrox, which manufactures automated vision inspection systems used in semiconductor and electronics packaging production, was cofounded by Chu in 2000 after he left HP Malaysia.

The company reported a 48% rise in net profit to 133 million ringgit (US$33 million) on a 53% increase in revenue to 843 million ringgit in 2025.

ViTrox cofounder Chu Jenn Weng. Photo courtesy of ViTrox

While Chu said the company typically does not provide earnings guidance, he described its outlook as "optimistic." In a March report, Mohd Shanaz Noor Azam, an analyst at CIMB Securities, projected ViTrox’s revenue would grow 15% to 968 million ringgit in 2026, with net profit rising 43% to 190 million ringgit.

ViTrox is expanding its operations in China and other parts of Asia, as well as in Europe, Mexico and the U.S.

Chu joins a group of Malaysian tycoons whose combined wealth rose nearly 30% to $116 billion, supported by an economy that grew 5.2% in 2025, a stronger ringgit and a buoyant initial public offering market, which saw 60 new listings last year.

Robert Kuok retained his position as Malaysia’s richest individual, with his net worth increasing 19% to $13.6 billion. At 102, he oversees a business empire spanning agriculture to data centers, according to The Edge Malaysia.

At second place for the first time are Koon Poh Keong and his siblings, the biggest gainers in dollar terms this year, with their net worth surging 80% to $9.7 billion. Brothers Lee Yeow Chor and Lee Yeow Seng climbed three places to third with a combined net worth of $8.5 billion.