Eric S. Yuan, born in Tai'an, Shandong Province, China, is the son of geological engineers. As a first-year university student in 1987, he was inspired to develop videotelephony software during long train rides to visit his girlfriend. Yuan earned a bachelor's degree in applied mathematics with a minor in computer application from Shandong University of Science and Technology and a master's degree in geology engineering from China University of Mining and Technology in Beijing.