Early Life and Education of Alexis Ohanian: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Alexis Ohanian. A timeline of key moments.

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.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

April 24, 1983: Alexis Ohanian's Birth

On April 24, 1983, Alexis Kerry Ohanian Sr. was born in the USA. He is known as an American internet entrepreneur and investor, and co-founder of Reddit.

Others born on this day/year

2001: Delivered Commencement Address

In 2001, Alexis Ohanian delivered a commencement address at Merriweather Post Pavilion after attending Howard High School in Ellicott City, Maryland.

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.

2008: Death of Anke Ohanian

In 2008, Alexis Ohanian's mother, Anke, passed away from brain cancer.

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.

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."

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.

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.

December 29, 2016: Engagement to Serena Williams

On December 29, 2016, Alexis Ohanian became engaged to tennis player Serena Williams.

September 1, 2017: Birth of Alexis Olympia Ohanian

On September 1, 2017, Alexis Ohanian and Serena Williams' daughter, Alexis Olympia Ohanian, was born in West Palm Beach, Florida.

November 16, 2017: Marriage to Serena Williams

On November 16, 2017, Alexis Ohanian and Serena Williams married in New Orleans. Guests at the wedding included Beyoncé, Anna Wintour, Kelly Rowland and Kim Kardashian.

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.

May 21, 2020: Commencement Address at Johns Hopkins University

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

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.

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.