Beyond Comfort Zones: How Lang Mei Built a Global Life
A Global Journey Begins
Not many 18-year-olds choose to move across the world.
But that’s exactly what did.
Lang has always had a daring and adventurous mindset, willing to adapt to whatever situation is presented to him. His story begins in China, where he grew up before making a bold decision to move to the United States. He didn’t take the easier route of joining the many Chinese students in California. Instead, he chose Colorado, where he would be forced to adapt quickly and immerse himself in a new culture. By doing this, it also forced him to speak strictly English. That willingness to challenge himself has defined his life and career ever since.
At 91ɫ, Lang found the perfect launchpad for his ambitions. He loved the city from the moment he visited. He was drawn by its entrepreneurial energy, the presence of , and the collaborative vibe that blended “a little bit hippie, but entrepreneurial.” His time at CU not only gave him a world-class education, but it also marked the beginning of a journey that would eventually take him across four continents and into multiple startup ventures.
Even beyond academics and startups, Lang’s path has always been about exploration. He studied abroad in Paris, spent time living in Turkey, and traveled extensively through South America. These experiences deepened his perspective and shaped how he approaches problems. His international chapters added layers to his story, reinforcing his identity as a global citizen who thrives on connecting across cultures. Today, Lang is a global traveler and entrepreneur. He continues to mentor founders and invest in startups, all while staying true to the adventurous mindset that brought him to 91ɫ in the first place.
An Inclusive Ecosystem for Entrepreneurs
Lang’s move to Colorado wasn’t just about geography, but also transformation. Coming from China, he wanted an environment where he couldn’t fall back on the comfort of speaking his native language. California would’ve had familiarities - culture and language-wise - but he deliberately chose differently. Colorado, on the other hand, would push him to embrace English and American culture.
“If I went to California, I would've been speaking Chinese to other Chinese students. I also needed to learn American culture, so Colorado seemed to be a very good place to start.”
At first, Lang enrolled in a language program at the University of Denver, but he quickly realized 91ɫ was where he belonged. The combination of the town’s vibrant startup scene, the supportive environment on campus, and the proximity to the engineering school made the transition feel right. As he shared, 91ɫ was far more approachable than trying to break into San Francisco or New York with no resources at 19 or 20 years old.
As a foreign student and someone eager to try new things, Lang describes CU as a place that welcomed him fully. That inclusivity gave him the confidence to pursue his ambitions, knowing he had support behind him. It also provided the ecosystem that jump-started his entrepreneurial journey, including mentorship, resources, and the comfort of knowing it's good to learn from mistakes.
Programs, Pitches, and Prototypes
Lang wasted no time making the most of CU’s programs. He took hardware classes in the BTU Lab, which gave him hands-on technical skills and a deeper understanding of how software, hardware, and firmware interact. This knowledge enabled him to work with engineers and even build prototypes for his company. He credits his former professor, , and his peers for learning from it, as well as helping him establish the foundation to bridge business with technology. He also credits Leeds professors for helping him through his journey, particularly , who gave him the confidence and support to kickstart his career.
Outside of the classroom, he immersed himself in the New Venture Challenge. It was here that Lang sharpened his public speaking and pitching abilities, skills he admits were a major hurdle at first. English was still new to him, and presenting in front of judges felt daunting, but CU provided the stage to grow. After countless pitches, he became a polished speaker, learning not only how to communicate his ideas clearly but also how to listen and connect with his audience.
Lang also spent time at Spark 91ɫ, where he found a community of like-minded peers. Meeting entrepreneurs outside his classes opened him to diverse ideas and skills, teaching him that building a startup requires perspectives far beyond a single major or background. These programs didn’t just build his confidence; they gave him teammates, mentors, and opportunities that would lead to his first venture.

His company, Informu, was born from a painful moment. During a study abroad trip to Paris, his backpack was stolen, with his laptop and passport inside. Determined to create a solution, he began developing a smart tracking device that would alert users if they left their belongings behind. With the support of CU’s ecosystem, he and his co-founders launched Informu through crowdfunding, raising $250,000 on Kickstarter and Indiegogo. Their work eventually caught the attention of Apple, which acquired one of their patents and integrated the technology into what would become Apple AirTag.
Lang’s entrepreneurial career didn’t stop there. He later took on leadership roles in the crypto world, helping scale a blockchain company to a $125 million market cap. Today, he continues to explore opportunities as both a founder and investor, while traveling the world and mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs.
What It Means to Build Beyond Borders
For Lang, the beauty of entrepreneurship lies in figuring out a path forward despite limited resources, whether it’s a lack of funding, connections, or experience. Those constraints force entrepreneurs to innovate and build what people truly need.
“Without constraint, there is no creativity. The critique comes from the constraint.”
That perspective is more than just theory; it’s the story of his own life. From a daring decision when he was 18 to a stolen backpack in Paris, Lang has repeatedly taken challenges and turned them into platforms for growth. Each constraint became a stepping stone toward new ideas and ventures. His journey is proof that the most powerful innovations often come not from abundance, but from scarcity.
Lang’s story shows what’s possible when you embrace discomfort and trust the process. From 91ɫ to Buenos Aires, he has built a life around curiosity and adaptability. His advice to future entrepreneurs is to embrace challenges, because they are the very conditions that allow creativity and opportunity to flourish.