Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Alexis Ohanian

How Alexis Ohanian built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Alexis Ohanian is an American internet entrepreneur and investor best known as the co-founder and former executive chairman of Reddit. Alongside Steve Huffman and Aaron Swartz, he built Reddit into a major social media platform. Ohanian also co-founded Initialized Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm, and played a role in launching Hipmunk, a travel search website, and Breadpig, a social enterprise. He was previously a partner at Y Combinator, a startup accelerator and venture capital firm, demonstrating his active involvement in fostering and funding new tech ventures.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

2005: Graduation and Pitch to Y Combinator

In 2005, Alexis Ohanian graduated from the University of Virginia with degrees in commerce and history. He and Steve Huffman pitched MyMobileMenu to Y Combinator, but were encouraged to develop another idea, leading to the creation of Reddit.

2005: Reddit joins Y-Combinator

In 2005, Reddit joined Y-Combinator's first batch of start-ups.

2006: Reddit Acquired by Condé Nast

In 2006, Reddit was acquired by Condé Nast for an undisclosed amount between $10 million and $20 million.

2007: Launches Breadpig

In 2007, Alexis Ohanian launched Breadpig, an "uncorporation" that produces geeky merchandise and donates the proceeds to charity.

2009: Spoke at TED

In 2009, Alexis Ohanian spoke at TED about a whale named Mister Splashy Pants.

June 2010: Launched Das Kapital Capital

In June 2010, Alexis Ohanian launched Das Kapital Capital, which focuses on start-up investing, advising, and consulting.

2010: Co-founded Initialized Capital

In 2010, Alexis Ohanian co-founded Initialized Capital and made seed investments in start-ups including Instacart, Zenefits, Opendoor, and Cruise.

2010: Spoke Out Against SOPA

In 2010, Alexis Ohanian spoke out against Congress's Stop Online Piracy Act.

2011: Spoke Out Against PROTECT IP Act

In 2011, Alexis Ohanian spoke out against the Senate's PROTECT IP Act.

2011: Named to Forbes 30 Under 30

In 2011, Alexis Ohanian was named to the Forbes "30 Under 30" list as an important figure in the technology industry.

January 18, 2012: Anti-SOPA/PIPA Protests

On January 18, 2012, Alexis Ohanian helped launch the national anti-SOPA/PIPA protests and spoke at the rally in New York.

October 2012: Internet 2012 Bus Tour

In October 2012, Alexis Ohanian teamed up with Reddit General Manager Erik Martin and embarked on the Internet 2012 Bus Tour to campaign for the open Internet.

December 10, 2012: Launched Kickstarter Project for Lester Chambers

On December 10, 2012, Alexis Ohanian teamed up with Lester Chambers to launch a Kickstarter project to fund Chambers' new album, "Lester's Time Has Come."

2012: No Longer Involved in Breadpig's Day-to-Day Operations

As of 2012, Alexis Ohanian was no longer involved in the day-to-day operations of Breadpig.

2012: Named to Forbes 30 Under 30 Again

In 2012, Alexis Ohanian was named to the Forbes "30 Under 30" list as an important figure in the technology industry, for the second time.

October 1, 2013: Publication of "Without Their Permission: How the 21st Century Will Be Made, Not Managed"

On October 1, 2013, Alexis Ohanian published his book, "Without Their Permission: How the 21st Century Will Be Made, Not Managed," which became a Wall Street Journal bestseller.

2013: Featured as Champion of Innovation in Wired

In 2013, Alexis Ohanian and Erik Martin were featured as "champions of innovation" in the 20th Anniversary issue of Wired.

2013: Premiere of "Small Empires with Alexis Ohanian" on The Verge

In the summer of 2013, "Small Empires with Alexis Ohanian", a weekly online series focused on rising startups in New York City hosted by Ohanian, premiered on The Verge.

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May 2014: Began Lobbying the FCC

In May 2014, Alexis Ohanian began lobbying the FCC to support net neutrality.

May 2014: Launched 'Save Net Neutrality' Campaign

In May 2014, Alexis Ohanian launched "Save Net Neutrality: Billboard in FCC's Backyard" on Tilt.com, a crowdfunding campaign to protest the FCC's plans to eliminate the idea of net neutrality.

October 15, 2014: Launch of NYRD Radio Podcast

On October 15, 2014, Alexis Ohanian launched the NYRD Radio podcast, featuring guests like Tim Ferriss and a segment called Office Hours.

October 2014: Premiere of Second Season of "Small Empires with Alexis Ohanian"

In October 2014, the second season of "Small Empires with Alexis Ohanian", a weekly online series focused on rising startups in New York City hosted by Alexis Ohanian, premiered on The Verge.

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2014: Ranked Number One for Network Centrality

In 2014, CB Insights analyzed all the investors in tech, ranking Alexis Ohanian number one for network centrality.

January 8, 2015: Release of Reddit's New Podcast "Upvoted"

On January 8, 2015, Alexis Ohanian released the first episode (Episode 0) of Reddit's new podcast "Upvoted," which explores real stories from Reddit.

January 15, 2015: Phone-a-thon with the FCC and Congress

On January 15, 2015, Alexis Ohanian culminated his lobbying efforts by hosting a day-long phone-a-thon with the FCC and Congress to support net neutrality.

April 2015: Toured Children of Armenia Fund Villages

In April 2015, Alexis Ohanian visited Armenia on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide and toured Children of Armenia Fund (COAF)-supported villages.

July 2, 2015: Reddit Fires Victoria Taylor

On July 2, 2015, Reddit fired communications director Victoria Taylor, leading to protests by volunteer moderators. A moderator claimed Taylor was fired by Alexis Ohanian, though media outlets blamed interim CEO Ellen Pao. The event intensified harassment towards Pao and ultimately led to her resignation.

July 2015: Returns to Reddit Full-Time

In July 2015, Alexis Ohanian returned to Reddit full-time with co-founder Steve Huffman to lead the now-independent company.

2015: Named to Crain's 40 Under 40

In 2015, Alexis Ohanian was named to the Crain's "40 Under 40" list for business.

2016: Leaves Y Combinator

In 2016, Alexis Ohanian left Y Combinator, where he was a partner, to help launch the third Initialized Capital fund with Garry Tan.

2016: Named One of Fast Company's Most Creative People

In 2016, Alexis Ohanian was named one of Fast Company's "Most Creative People in Business".

July 17, 2017: Hijab Emoji Released by Apple

On July 17, 2017, Apple released its version of the hijab emoji, following Alexis Ohanian's work with Rayouf Alhumedhi to campaign for it.

February 2018: Steps Back from Reddit

In February 2018, Alexis Ohanian stepped back from Reddit to focus on investing again.

June 2019: Plans to Bring Paternity Leave Pledge to Lawmakers

In June 2019, Alexis Ohanian announced his plans to bring the pledge to lawmakers on Capitol Hill in late 2019 to push for passage of federal paid family leave legislation.

2019: Invested in Kinside

In 2019, through Initialized Capital, Alexis Ohanian invested $3 million in childcare start-up Kinside.

January 2020: Announcement of New Podcast from Initialized Capital

In January 2020, Initialized Capital announced a new podcast where Alexis Ohanian explores fatherhood with successful men across various fields.

May 21, 2020: Commencement Address at Johns Hopkins University

On May 21, 2020, Alexis Ohanian delivered the commencement address at Johns Hopkins University.

June 5, 2020: Resigns from Reddit's Board

On June 5, 2020, Alexis Ohanian resigned from Reddit's board, requesting to be replaced by a Black candidate, in response to the murder of George Floyd.

June 2020: Ended Role as Managing Partner at Initialized

In June 2020, Alexis Ohanian ended his role as Managing Partner at Initialized.

July 2020: Lead Investor in National Women's Soccer League Franchise

In July 2020, Alexis Ohanian was the lead investor in a primarily female group that was awarded a new franchise in the National Women's Soccer League, which later became Angel City FC.

2020: Invested in Dispo

In 2020, Alexis Ohanian also invested $4 million in Dispo (David's Disposable).

January 28, 2021: Livestream on Twitch with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

On January 28, 2021, Alexis Ohanian was featured on a livestream broadcast on Twitch on Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's channel, discussing the Gamestop Short Squeeze.