Ready to dig into some history? Today, we’re throwing the digital spotlight on a man who’s been hailed as the “Mayor of the Internet.” He’s a tech entrepreneur, a venture capitalist, and an advocate for the open web. You might know him as the co-founder of Reddit, the husband of tennis superstar Serena Williams, or the guy with the biggest smile in Silicon Valley. Meet Alexis Ohanian, whose life story is as fascinating as the websites he’s helped to create.
Net Worth: $150 Million
Salary: –
Date of Birth: Apr 24, 1983
Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York
Gender: Male
Profession: Entrepreneur, Investor
Alexis Ohanian Early Life
Born on April 24, 1983, in Brooklyn, New York, Alexis Kerry Ohanian is the son of an Armenian father and a German mother. His heritage plays a significant role in his life – he is particularly proud of his Armenian roots, often crediting his entrepreneurial spirit to his ancestors who survived the Armenian Genocide.
As a teenager, Ohanian was already showing signs of his future tech prowess. He was fascinated by computers, and it wasn’t long before he started dabbling in coding. After high school, Ohanian went on to study at the University of Virginia, where he met Steve Huffman, his future co-founder of Reddit.
During their last year of college, Ohanian and Huffman entered their idea for a mobile food ordering app into the inaugural Y Combinator startup funding competition. While the food app didn’t take off, Y Combinator’s founder, Paul Graham, was impressed by the duo’s grit and passion. He asked them to brainstorm a new idea – and thus, the seed for Reddit was planted.
Alexis Ohanian Personal Life
Ohanian’s personal life has been just as vibrant and newsworthy as his professional journey. His relationship with tennis phenom Serena Williams has often captured the public’s attention. The two tied the knot in November 2017 in a star-studded ceremony in New Orleans. Their adorable daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., often features on both their social media accounts, showing a delightful glimpse into their family life.
Ohanian is also a vocal advocate for paternity leave, inspired by his own experiences after the birth of his daughter. When Olympia was born, she faced health complications, and the time Ohanian spent caring for his family made him realize the importance of parental leave. He has since used his platform to campaign for all parents to have access to comprehensive paid family leave.
Alexis Ohanian Career
Alexis Ohanian’s career is a tapestry of entrepreneurial success, threaded with ventures that have significantly impacted the digital landscape. After founding Reddit with Huffman in 2005, Ohanian sold the platform in 2006 but returned in 2015 as executive chairman, steering Reddit through significant changes before stepping down in 2020.
But Ohanian’s entrepreneurship doesn’t stop at Reddit. In 2007, he launched Breadpig, a company producing geeky merchandise and donating its non-salary profits to charities. Then, in 2011, he co-founded Initialized Capital. This venture capital firm has seen massive success, backing companies like Instacart, Ro, and Cruise, contributing significantly to Ohanian’s wealth and standing in the tech industry.
Ohanian has also championed the open internet, fighting against legislation like SOPA and PIPA in 2012, which threatened the freedom of the web. He even published a bestselling book, “Without Their Permission: How the 21st Century Will Be Made, Not Managed,” outlining his vision for the future of the internet.
Through all these ventures, Ohanian has demonstrated his knack for identifying promising ideas and his commitment to making the Internet a democratic space. His career, like his life, is multifaceted, reflecting the many roles he plays: entrepreneur, investor, advocate, and thought leader.
Alexis Ohanian Net Worth
Fast forward to today, and it’s clear that Ohanian’s ventures in the tech world have paid off handsomely. After selling Reddit to Condé Nast in 2006, he went on to found Initialized Capital, a venture capital firm that has had early stakes in successful startups like Instacart and Coinbase. Ohanian’s sharp eye for potential and willingness to bet on young companies have helped him amass an impressive net worth.
As of 2023, Alexis Ohanian’s net worth is estimated to be around $150 million. But it’s important to note that Ohanian isn’t just sitting on his wealth – he’s using it to drive positive change. He’s passionate about giving back to the community and is known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in the areas of education, internet freedom, and tech inclusion.
In 2020, amidst the global racial justice movements, Ohanian made headlines when he stepped down from Reddit’s board, urging the company to replace him with a Black candidate. He also pledged to use his future gains on Reddit stock to serve the Black community, beginning with a $1 million donation to former NFL player Colin Kaepernick’s nonprofit, Know Your Rights Camp.
Despite his financial success, Ohanian remains grounded. He often emphasizes the importance of family and personal well-being over material wealth. In numerous interviews, he’s talked about the role his wife and daughter play in his life, making it clear that for him, success isn’t just about the numbers in a bank account.
