Alexis Ohanian
| Alexis Ohanian | |
|---|---|
 Ohanian protesting SOPA and PIPA, 2012 |
|
| Born | April 24, 1983 Brooklyn, New York, USA |
| Residence | Brooklyn, New York[1] |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | University of Virginia B.A., History B.S., Commerce |
| Known for | entrepreneurship, startups, social marketing |
| Notable work(s) | |
| Website | |
| Alexisohanian.com | |
Alexis Ohanian (born April 24, 1983) is an American internet entrepreneur, activist and investor based in Brooklyn, New York, best known for co-founding the social news website reddit, helping launch travel search website hipmunk, and starting social enterprise breadpig.
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Career [edit]
Reddit [edit]
After graduating from the University of Virginia in 2005, Alexis Ohanian started reddit.com, with co-founder Steve Huffman. Reddit initially received funding from Y Combinator and was later acquired by Condé Nast Publications in 2006. Ohanian continues to work closely with reddit as a member of its Board of Directors.[2][3][4]
Breadpig [edit]
In 2007, Ohanian launched breadpig, an "uncorporation" that produces geeky merchandise and gives the proceeds to charity. He continues to run breadpig today as its Founder and Chief Swine Defender.[5]
Kiva [edit]
After leaving reddit in 2009, Ohanian spent 3 months working in microfinance as a Kiva fellow in Yerevan, Armenia.
Hipmunk [edit]
Ohanian helped launch travel search website hipmunk in 2010, and now acts as an advisor and evangelist.[6]
Das Kapital Capital [edit]
In June 2010, Ohanian announced the launch of his company Das Kapital Capital, which focuses on startup investing, advising and consulting.
Y Combinator [edit]
Ohanian was named the "Ambassador to the East" for early stage venture firm Y Combinator. In this position, he meets with East Coast applicants, mentors New York YC founders, and is a general representative for the company.[7]
Open Internet Activism [edit]
In late 2010 and early 2011, Ohanian spoke out against Congress's Stop Online Piracy Act and the Senate's Protect IP Act. He helped lead the Internet-enabled grassroots campaign that eventually overturned the two bills. Ohanian spoke to members of Congress, helped launch the national anti-SOPA/PIPA protests that took place on January 18, 2012, and spoke at the rally in New York that was organized by NY Tech Meetup.[8]
In October 2012, Ohanian teamed up with reddit General Manager Erik Martin and embarked on the Internet 2012 Bus Tour from Denver, CO to Danville, KY to campaign for the open Internet during the Presidential and Vice Presidential debates. One of the campaign stops spurred the idea for a a possible “National Geek Day." in Washington DC.[9][10]
In response to his work advocating for the Open Internet, The Daily Dot named Ohanian number one in their top ten most influential activists of 2012, and Forbes dubbed him "Mayor of the Internet."[11][12]
Kickstarter Campaign [edit]
On December 10, 2012, Alexis Ohanian teamed up Lester Chambers of The Chambers Brothers to launch a Kickstarter project, with the intent to make a new album titled "Lester's Time Has Come." According to Fast Company, Ohanian aimed “to prove that there are new, sustainable funding opportunities for artists now thanks to platforms like Kickstarter.”[13]
Additional Achievements [edit]
- In 2009, Ohanian spoke at TED about a whale named Mister Splashy Pants.[14]
- In 2010 and 2012, Ohanian was named to the Forbes' "30 Under 30".[15]
- In 2013, Ohanian was featured as a tech “Titan” in WIRED Magazine’s 20th Anniversary issue.[16]
- Ohanian is currently writing a book titled Without Their Permission, set to launch in early 2013.[17][18]
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ "Alexis Ohanian". Crunchbase.com. CrunchBase. Retrieved 22 May 2012.
- ^ http://articles.businessinsider.com/2010-08-03/tech/30079776_1_family-dog-hospital-bed-mom
- ^ http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/sep2007/sb20070926_082638.htm
- ^ http://blog.reddit.com/2011/09/independence.html
- ^ http://breadpig.com/about/
- ^ http://www.hipmunk.com/about
- ^ http://techcrunch.com/2010/09/01/reddit-cofounder-alexis-ohanian-to-join-y-combinator/
- ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR6EbdH_0qQ
- ^ http://www.forbes.com/sites/lindseyhoshaw/2012/10/23/in-the-midwest-reddit-finds-a-thriving-startup-culture/
- ^ http://www.buzzfeed.com/jwherrman/the-internets-march-on-washington
- ^ Collier, Kevin. "The top 10 most influential Internet rights activists in 2012". Society. The Daily Dot. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
- ^ http://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2012/06/05/how-reddits-alexis-ohanian-became-the-mayor-of-the-internet/
- ^ http://www.fastcompany.com/3003719/reddit-cofounder-alexis-ohanian-taps-kickstarter-and-chambers-brothers-prove-music-industry-
- ^ http://www.ted.com/talks/alexis_ohanian_how_to_make_a_splash_in_social_media.html
- ^ http://www.forbes.com/special-report/2012/30-under-30/30-under-30_tech.html
- ^ http://www.wired.com/magazine/2013/04/platon/
- ^ http://www.forbes.com/pictures/lmf45kde/alexis-ohanian-ceo-breadpig-28/
- ^ http://withouttheirpermission.com/
External links [edit]
- alexisohanian.com - Official Site
- Official Site for Alexis Ohanian's book Without Their Permission
- Alexis Ohanian speaks at TED
- New York Times on the SOPA/PIPA protest
- Alexis Ohanian's WIRED Op-Ed on SOPA/PIPA
- Forbes on "How Reddit's Alexis Ohanian Became The Mayor Of The Internet"
- BuzzFeed on the Internet 2012 campaign
- American activists
- American computer businesspeople
- American Internet personalities
- American people of Armenian descent
- American technology chief executives
- Businesspeople from New York City
- Living people
- People from Brooklyn
- Private equity and venture capital investors
- University of Virginia alumni
- 1983 births
