Alexis Ohanian

Born 1983 · Age 42

American internet entrepreneur and investor; co-founder of Reddit, co-founder of Initialized Capital, founder of Seven Seven Six (776), investor and advocate for open internet and paternity leave. Married to Serena Williams; based in Florida.

Total Events

Career Span

42 years

Peak Net Worth

$150,000,000

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Life & Career Timeline

1983Age 0

Born in Brooklyn, New York

Alexis Kerry Ohanian born to Armenian- and German-descent parents.

4/24/1983Source

Confidence

99%

1990Age 0

Received first dial-up modem (approx.)

Became interested in technology in middle school after getting a 33.6k dial-up modem (date approximate, middle-school years).

1/1/1990Source

Confidence

60%

2001Age 18

Matriculated at University of Virginia

Began studies at UVA; initially considered computer science and law but ultimately double majored in history and commerce and minored in German.

1/1/2001Source

Confidence

95%

2001Age 18

High school commencement address

Delivered a commencement address at Merriweather Post Pavilion (Howard High School class of 2001).

6/1/2001Source

Confidence

95%

2003Age 20

Met future co-founder Steve Huffman

Met Steve Huffman in Hancock House at UVA—partnership that would found Reddit.

1/1/2003Source

Confidence

90%

2005Age 22

Became a millionaire

Reported to have become a millionaire at age 22 following Reddit's early success and sale (commonly noted milestone).

1/1/2005Net Worth: $1,000,000Source

Confidence

85%

2005Age 22

Co-founded Reddit

Launched reddit.com with Steve Huffman (and later associated with Aaron Swartz) intending to build the 'front page of the Internet'; joined Y Combinator's first batch (summer 2005).

1/1/2005Source

Confidence

99%

2005Age 22

Received Y Combinator seed funding ($12,000)

Ohanian and Steve Huffman were given $12,000 in seed funding from Y Combinator to pursue their startup idea after pitching MyMobileMenu and then reddit.

6/1/2005Source

Confidence

95%

2006Age 23

Reddit acquired by Condé Nast

Condé Nast acquired Reddit for an undisclosed amount reported between $10 million and $20 million; Ohanian continued involvement as board member.

1/1/2006Net Worth: $2,000,000Source

Confidence

90%

2007Age 24

Launched Breadpig (uncorporation)

Started Breadpig to produce geeky merchandise and donate proceeds to charity; later stepped back from day-to-day operations (by 2012 no longer active in daily ops).

1/1/2007Net Worth: $2,500,000Source

Confidence

88%

2008Age 25

Mother passed away

His mother, Anke, died from brain cancer.

1/1/2008Net Worth: $3,000,000Source

Confidence

98%

2009Age 26

TED Talk: Mister Splashy Pants

Spoke at TED about an internet campaign involving a whale named 'Mister Splashy Pants'.

12/1/2009Net Worth: $3,500,000Source

Confidence

95%

2010Age 27

Helped launch Hipmunk (adviser/creative)

Joined travel search website Hipmunk around launch to assist with design, launch marketing and logo.

1/1/2010Net Worth: $4,800,000Source

Confidence

90%

2010Age 26

Left Reddit and worked as Kiva fellow in Armenia

After leaving Reddit in 2010, spent three months working in microfinance as a Kiva fellow in Yerevan, Armenia.

1/1/2010Net Worth: $4,000,000Source

Confidence

95%

2010Age 27

Co-founded Initialized Capital

Co-founded early-stage venture capital firm Initialized Capital (invested in Instacart, Zenefits, Opendoor, Cruise among others).

1/1/2010Net Worth: $7,000,000Source

Confidence

95%

2010Age 27

Launched Das Kapital Capital

Started Das Kapital Capital focusing on start-up investing, advising, and consulting.

6/1/2010Net Worth: $4,500,000Source

Confidence

90%

2010Age 27

Joined Y Combinator as 'Ambassador to the East'

Took a role representing YC on the East Coast, mentoring founders and meeting applicants; later held part-time and full-time partner roles.

9/1/2010Net Worth: $5,000,000Source

Confidence

95%

2011Age 28

Named to Forbes 30 Under 30

Included on Forbes '30 Under 30' list for technology/business in 2011.

1/1/2011Net Worth: $8,000,000Source

Confidence

98%

2012Age 29

Named to Forbes 30 Under 30 (again)

Again included on Forbes '30 Under 30' list in 2012.

1/1/2012Net Worth: $10,000,000Source

Confidence

95%

2012Age 28

Led Reddit blackout to protest SOPA/PIPA

Helped lead Internet-enabled campaign; Reddit and other major sites protested; bills were eventually shelved.

1/18/2012Net Worth: $9,000,000Source

Confidence

99%

2012Age 29

Internet 2012 Bus Tour

Traveled with Reddit GM Erik Martin campaigning for an open Internet during the 2012 presidential campaign debates; produced related film/content.

10/1/2012Net Worth: $10,500,000Source

Confidence

90%

2012Age 29

Launched Lester Chambers Kickstarter

Teamed with Lester Chambers to crowdfund an album; project raised over $61,000.

12/10/2012Net Worth: $11,000,000Source

Confidence

95%

2013Age 30

Embarked on nationwide book tour

Went on a five-month, 150-stop and 75-university tour to promote Without Their Permission (2013–2014 book tour).

1/1/2013Net Worth: $12,500,000Source

Confidence

95%

2013Age 30

Hosted 'Small Empires' online series on The Verge

Launched weekly online series spotlighting rising NYC startups; season 1 in summer 2013; season 2 premiered Oct 2014.

1/1/2013Net Worth: $12,500,000Source

Confidence

90%

2013Age 30

Published 'Without Their Permission'

Released memoir/advice book 'Without Their Permission: How the 21st Century Will Be Made, Not Managed'; reached #4 on WSJ Hardcover Business list.

10/1/2013Net Worth: $12,000,000Source

Confidence

98%

2014Age 31

Campaign for net neutrality (phone-a-thon Jan 15, 2015 culmination)

Lobbied the FCC and organized a phone-a-thon around Jan 15, 2015 to support net neutrality, after months of advocacy in 2014.