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, most recognized as the co-founder and former executive chairman of Reddit. Beyond Reddit, he co-founded Initialized Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm, and contributed to the launch of Hipmunk, a travel search website. He also established Breadpig, a social enterprise. Furthermore, Ohanian served as a partner at Y Combinator, a startup accelerator and venture capital firm, showcasing his broad involvement in the tech and startup landscape.

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, leading to the concept for reddit.com.

2005: Reddit Joins Y Combinator

In the summer of 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: Launch of Breadpig

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

2009: TED Talk on Mister Splashy Pants

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

June 2010: Launch of Das Kapital Capital

In June 2010, Alexis Ohanian launched Das Kapital Capital, focusing 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 various start-ups.

2010: Spoke Out Against SOPA

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

2011: Spoke Out Against PROTECT IP Act

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

January 18, 2012: Anti-SOPA/PIPA Protests

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

October 2012: Internet 2012 Bus Tour

In October 2012, Alexis Ohanian teamed up with Erik Martin and embarked on the Internet 2012 Bus Tour to campaign for the open Internet during the presidential and vice presidential debates.

December 10, 2012: Kickstarter Project with Lester Chambers

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

2012: Leaves Breadpig Operations

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

October 1, 2013: Publication of "Without Their Permission"

On October 1, 2013, Alexis Ohanian published his book "Without Their Permission: How the 21st Century Will Be Made, Not Managed", which later ranked fourth on The Wall Street Journal's best sellers list for Hardcover Business.

2013: Premiere of Small Empires with Alexis Ohanian

In the summer of 2013, Alexis Ohanian hosted a weekly online series focused on rising startups in New York City called Small Empires with Alexis Ohanian, which premiered on The Verge. The first season ran for nine episodes.

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May 2014: Began Lobbying the FCC to Support Net Neutrality

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

May 2014: "Save Net Neutrality: Billboard in FCC's Backyard" 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 for aspiring entrepreneurs.

January 8, 2015: Release of Reddit's Upvoted podcast

On January 8, 2015, Alexis Ohanian released the first episode (Episode 0) of Reddit's new podcast Upvoted, which delves into real stories found on Reddit and features interviews with the users involved.

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

On January 15, 2015, Alexis Ohanian held a day-long phone-a-thon with the FCC and Congress to support net neutrality.

April 2015: Tour of COAF-Supported Villages in Armenia

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

July 2015: Return to Reddit

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

2016: Leaves Y Combinator

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

July 17, 2017: Apple Released Hijab Emoji

On July 17, 2017, Apple released its version of the hijab emoji, after Alexis Ohanian worked with Rayouf Alhumedhi to campaign for it earlier that year.

February 2018: Ohanian Steps Back From Reddit

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

June 2019: Plans to Push for Federal Paid Family Leave

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 the childcare start-up Kinside.

January 2020: Businessdad.initialized.com podcast

In January 2020, Initialized Capital launched the Businessdad.initialized.com podcast, where Alexis Ohanian and other successful men discuss fatherhood and balancing careers and family.

May 21, 2020: Commencement address at Johns Hopkins University

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

June 5, 2020: Resignation from Reddit's Board

On June 5, 2020, Alexis Ohanian resigned from Reddit's board, requesting to be replaced by a Black candidate.

June 2020: Ohanian Ends Role as Managing Partner at Initialized

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

July 2020: Lead Investor in NWSL 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 would later be known as 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 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Twitch channel, discussing opinions on the Gamestop Short Squeeze with other guests like TheStockGuy and Alexis Goldstein.

April 2021: Investment in pearpop

In April 2021, Alexis Ohanian invested $10 million into the social startup pearpop in a Series A round.

June 2021: Announcement of New Venture Capital Firm "776"

In June 2021, Alexis Ohanian announced a new venture capital firm he is leading named "776".

2022: Angel City FC Started Playing

In 2022, Angel City FC, a team in the National Women's Soccer League, started playing. Alexis Ohanian was the lead investor in the group that was awarded the franchise.