Shanda is a female name of American origin that means "God Is Gracious." The name carries a sense of divine benevolence and favor. Shanda Group, on the other hand, is a privately-owned multinational investment firm with offices in Shanghai, Singapore, Hong Kong, New York, and Redwood City. Established in 1999 as Shanda Interactive Entertainment Limited, the company initially focused on online gaming, becoming the largest online game company in China by 2004. Over the years, Shanda Group has diversified its investments, focusing on public markets, real estate, venture capital, and companies in healthcare, financial services, media, and technology. As of 2018, the firm had $8 billion in net assets under management and continues to expand its presence globally.