Phil Hyett
Born 1983 · Age 42
American software developer, technology entrepreneur, racing driver; co‑founder of GitHub (2008) and founder of AO Racing (2022). 24 Hours of Le Mans LMP2 Pro‑Am class winner.
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Life & Career Timeline
Raised in Naperville, Illinois
Grew up in Naperville, Illinois (childhood hometown).
Born in Naperville, Illinois
Phillip Jeffrey Hyett was born in Naperville, Illinois.
Earned bachelor's degree (Computer Science), North Central College (estimated)
Reported to have earned a B.S. in Computer Science from North Central College (Wikipedia states degree but no year provided; year is estimated based on typical graduation age).
Moved to San Francisco after college (estimated)
Moved to San Francisco after graduation to pursue software engineering roles (date not specified in source; estimated soon after college).
Senior Software Engineer at CNET Networks (role)
Worked as a senior software engineer at CNET Networks prior to co‑founding GitHub (exact employment dates not provided).
Partner at Error Free (role)
Served as a partner at Error Free (alternatively spelled Err Free in some sources) before founding GitHub; exact dates not specified.
Assumed co‑founder / executive responsibilities at GitHub
Held a founding leadership role at GitHub following its creation (sources refer to him as co‑founder and COO in profiles).
Co‑founded GitHub with Tom Preston‑Werner & Chris Wanstrath
Co‑founded GitHub, an internet hosting service for software development and version control using Git.
GitHub public service/product established
GitHub launched as a service for Git-based development and collaboration (product establishment tied to company founding in 2008).
Competed in Porsche Carrera Cup North America (racing)
Competed in the 2015 Porsche Carrera Cup North America with Kelly‑Moss Road & Race; 6 races, finished 38th in the championship.
Hyett's GitHub stake estimated ~ $1B
Following the Microsoft acquisition, Hyett's ownership stake was estimated to be close to $1 billion (reported estimates).
GitHub acquired by Microsoft
Microsoft announced the acquisition of GitHub for $7.5 billion in cash (June 2018).
Entered Le Mans Cup final round (GT3) prior to WEC move
Participated in the final round of the Le Mans Cup in 2022 before moving into the FIA WEC LMGTE Am class (entry noted in late 2022).
Racing debut at Watkins Glen (GT World Challenge America)
Made racing debut at Watkins Glen in GT World Challenge America driving for Team Hardpoint alongside Gunnar Jeannette (race reported July 25, 2022).
Founded AO Racing (IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship)
Founded AO Racing, an auto racing team entering IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship programs (autumn 2022 / announcement late 2022).
AO Racing partnered with Team Project 1 for 2023 WEC season
AO Racing (Hyett/Jeannette) partnered with WEC outfit Team Project 1 to contest the full 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship season.
WEC debut at Bahrain, finished second (LMGTE Am)
On his first FIA WEC outing at Bahrain Hyett (with Gunnar Jeannette, led by Ben Barnicoat) finished second in LMGTE Am.
Raced in 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans (GTE Am) – 7th in class
Competed at the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans with Project 1 – AO (Porsche 911 RSR‑19); finished 35th overall and 7th in GTE Am class.
Competed in 2023 IMSA SportsCar Championship (GTD) with Sebastian Priaulx
Raced in the IMSA GTD class in 2023 for AO Racing Team, co‑driving with Sebastian Priaulx; campaign produced no podiums.
Competed in full 2023 WEC season (Project 1 – AO)
Contested the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship LMGTE Am with Project 1 – AO; season stats: 4 races, 24 points, finished 17th in class (season summary).
Entered 2023–24 Asian Le Mans Series (LMP2) with Proton Competition
Prepared for a switch to LMP2 by contesting the 2023–24 Asian Le Mans Series with Proton Competition alongside Paul‑Loup Chatin and Harry Tincknell.
Accident in qualifying; withdrew from Spa and missed race due to back injury
Suffered an accident in qualifying that resulted in a back injury; Project 1‑AO withdrew from Spa; Gunnar Jeannette stood in for Hyett at Laguna Seca.
AO Racing submitted 2024 IMSA entry requests (LMP2 & GTD Pro)
AO Racing submitted entry requests to IMSA for the 2024 season in both LMP2 and GTD Pro categories.
Asian Le Mans Series 2023–24 final standing: 9th (30 points)
Finished 9th in the 2023–24 Asian Le Mans Series LMP2 standings with 30 points while driving for Proton Competition.
Two top‑five finishes at Sepang (Asian Le Mans Series)
Recorded two top‑five finishes at the Sepang circuit during the 2023–24 Asian Le Mans Series calendar, showing improved LMP2 pace.
2024 IMSA SportsCar Championship – AO Racing (LMP2) season result
Competed in IMSA LMP2 with AO Racing in 2024 and finished 6th in the championship (points listed as 1942 in race summary).
First LMP2 pole at Dubai Autodrome
Secured the first pole position in LMP2 of his car at the Dubai Autodrome during the Asian Le Mans Series preparation (reported Feb 3, 2024).
Competed at 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans (LMP2) with AO by TF
Drove an AO Racing Oreca 07 run by TF Sport alongside Louis Delétraz and Alex Quinn at the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans; finished 20th overall, 6th in LMP2 and 2nd in LMP2 Pro‑Am.
Competed in 2025 IMSA & ELMS LMP2 programs (ongoing seasons)
Listed among drivers and teams competing in the 2025 IMSA and 2025 European Le Mans Series in LMP2 / LMP2 Pro‑Am entries (season in progress as of sources).
Lives in west Chicago; married with two children
Personal life: married to Kendra (North Central College graduate), they have two children and reside in west Chicago (as reported in profile updates).
Public profile / website active (hyett.com)
Maintains a public personal or professional website (hyett.com) and public racing/entrepreneur profiles.
Won LMP2 Pro‑Am class at 24 Hours of Le Mans; overall LMP2 podium
At the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans Hyett (AO by TF) won the LMP2 Pro‑Am class and finished on the overall LMP2 podium (3rd overall for LMP2).
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