Alexis Ohanian Then and Now

Alexis Ohanian Then

Alexis Ohanian, born Alexis Kerry Ohanian on April 24, 1983, in Brooklyn, New York, has established himself as a prominent entrepreneur and internet personality. 

As the son of Anke and Chris Ohanian, he grew up in a family with a rich heritage; his grandparents were refugees who fled to the United States following the Armenian Genocide. 

This background instilled in him a deep appreciation for resilience and innovation, values that would later guide his entrepreneurial journey. 

Ohanian attended Howard High School in Ellicott City, Maryland, where he showcased his leadership skills by giving the student address at his graduation ceremony in 2001, setting the stage for his future endeavors.

After high school, Ohanian pursued higher education at the University of Virginia, graduating in 2005 with a degree in commerce and history. 

During his time at university, he became increasingly interested in the world of business and technology. 

His involvement in the professional business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi helped him cultivate a network of like-minded individuals and provided him with valuable insights into the mechanics of entrepreneurship. 

It was during this period that Ohanian began to focus on the burgeoning internet landscape, which would ultimately lead to the founding of Reddit, one of the largest social news aggregation platforms in the world. 

Ohanian’s academic background, coupled with his passion for technology and community-building, played a significant role in shaping his career and vision for the future.

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Alexis Ohanian Career

Reddit – Co-Founder

After graduating from college, Alexis Ohanian embarked on an entrepreneurial journey that would lead to the creation of several successful internet startups. 

He and his college friend Steve Huffman initially pitched an idea for a mobile application called MyMobileMenu to Y Combinator, a startup accelerator. 

Although Y Combinator ultimately passed on this project, the organization encouraged Ohanian and Huffman to develop a new concept. 

This advice proved pivotal, as it led them to co-found Reddit in 2005, a platform designed to allow users to post, share, and rank news content.

Reddit quickly gained traction and became part of Y Combinator’s inaugural batch of startups in the summer of 2005. 

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Just a year after its launch, Reddit was acquired by Conde Nast for an estimated $10-20 million, marking a significant milestone in Ohanian’s career.

Following the acquisition, Ohanian maintained an active role at Reddit, serving on its board of directors. 

In July 2015, he rejoined the company full-time alongside Huffman, taking the reins of the now-independent platform. 

His leadership helped steer Reddit through a period of growth and transformation, but Ohanian decided to step back from his day-to-day responsibilities in February 2018 to concentrate on investing. 

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His commitment to social justice became evident when he resigned from Reddit’s board on June 5, 2020, in response to the killing of George Floyd. 

Ohanian expressed a desire for his position to be filled by a Black candidate, highlighting the importance of diversity and representation within the tech industry. 

This request was fulfilled when Michael Seibel, a Black entrepreneur, was appointed to the board shortly thereafter.

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In addition to his work with Reddit, Ohanian founded Breadpig in 2007, an online company dedicated to developing and marketing “geeky” products, with all profits going to charitable organizations. 

Under his leadership, Breadpig raised over $150,000 for various causes, including the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Room to Read, which focuses on education initiatives in developing countries. 

Although Ohanian has stepped back from the day-to-day operations of Breadpig, his commitment to social good remains a core aspect of his entrepreneurial philosophy. 

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He also served as the marketing director for Hipmunk, an online travel company, and in June 2010, he launched Das Kapital Capital, a venture aimed at startup investing, advising, and consulting. 

Ohanian’s involvement with Y Combinator as the Ambassador to the East and his tenure as a full-time partner until 2016 further solidified his reputation as a key figure in the startup ecosystem. 

Through these ventures, Alexis Ohanian has consistently demonstrated his passion for innovation, community engagement, and social responsibility.

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Initialized Capital

In 2010, Alexis Ohanian took another significant step in his entrepreneurial career by co-founding Initialized Capital, a venture capital firm aimed at making seed investments in innovative startups. 

With a keen eye for emerging technologies and market trends, Ohanian and his team made strategic investments in several high-profile companies, including Coinbase, Instacart, Opendoor, Zenefits, and Cruise. 

These investments collectively exceeded $500 million, showcasing Ohanian’s ability to identify promising startups early in their development. 

His investment acumen was recognized in 2014 when CB Insights ranked him as the #1 investor for network centrality, highlighting his influential position within the venture capital landscape.

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Initialized Capital has grown significantly since its inception, boasting over $3 billion in assets under management as of now. 

The firm has successfully raised funds across three investment rounds, reflecting investor confidence in its strategy and leadership. 

A notable achievement came in December 2021 when Initialized Capital secured $700 million from a consortium of investors, further solidifying its position as a key player in the venture capital ecosystem. 

Ohanian’s vision for Initialized Capital focuses on supporting companies that prioritize innovation and social impact, embodying his commitment to fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs.

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One of Ohanian’s notable investments through Initialized Capital was a $3 million stake in Kinside, a childcare startup, in 2019. 

This investment not only highlights his ongoing dedication to addressing pressing social issues, such as accessible childcare but also underscores his broader strategy of investing in companies that create positive change in society. 

Ohanian’s investments and leadership at Initialized Capital continue to influence the startup landscape, demonstrating his commitment to driving innovation and supporting entrepreneurs who are poised to make a significant impact in their respective fields.

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Alexis Ohanian’s Wife and Children

In October 2015, the media began speculating about a romantic relationship between Alexis Ohanian and tennis superstar Serena Williams, which was initially kept under wraps. 

The couple confirmed their engagement on December 29, 2016, after over a year of dating away from the public eye. 

Their relationship flourished, culminating in a beautiful wedding in November 2017. 

Prior to their nuptials, Williams and Ohanian welcomed their first child, a daughter, in September 2017, adding to the joy of their union. 

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The family has since resided in Florida, where they have embraced a life filled with love and support for one another. 

In early 2023, the couple announced they were expecting their second child, further expanding their family. 

Ohanian and Williams are not only celebrated for their individual accomplishments in their respective fields but also for their strong partnership and commitment to each other, which has garnered admiration from fans worldwide.

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Alexis Ohanian Now

As of now, Alexis Ohanian is 41 years old and has established Palmer Luckey himself as a prominent American internet entrepreneur and investor. 

He is widely recognized as the co-founder and former executive chairman of Reddit, a platform he launched alongside Steve Huffman and Aaron Swartz. 

Under his leadership, Reddit grew into one of the most influential social media sites, facilitating discussions and content sharing across a vast array of topics. 

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Ohanian’s contributions to the tech industry extend beyond Reddit; his involvement in various startups and investment ventures has made him a key figure in the entrepreneurial landscape.

In addition to his business achievements, Ohanian is also committed to philanthropy, particularly in addressing climate change. 

Since 2022, he has been funding climate-related projects initiated by young founders through a grant program designed to support innovative solutions to environmental issues. 

Source: NCBI

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This initiative is modeled after the Thiel Fellowship, which encourages young entrepreneurs to pursue ambitious projects without the constraints of traditional education paths. 

By investing in the next generation of climate innovators, Ohanian aims to empower young leaders to create meaningful change and tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time. 

His philanthropic efforts reflect a growing recognition of the need for sustainable practices and innovative solutions to protect the planet, underscoring Ohanian’s commitment to social responsibility and environmental stewardship.

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Alexis Ohanian’s Net Worth

Alexis Ohanian is an accomplished American technology entrepreneur with a net worth of $150 million, largely attributed to his successful ventures, including co-founding Reddit and his strategic investments in various startups, showcasing his significant impact on the tech industry and venture capital landscape.

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