History of Jared Isaacman in Timeline

Jared Isaacman is an American billionaire entrepreneur known for founding Draken International, a private air force provider, and Shift4 Payments, a payment processing company. His estimated net worth as of September 2024 is $1.9 billion. He is also a pilot, philanthropist, and commercial astronaut.

February 11, 1983: Birth of Jared Isaacman

Jared Isaacman was born on February 11, 1983.

1999: Founding of United Bank Card

In 1999, Jared Isaacman established United Bank Card, a retail payment processing company.

2004: Start of Flight Training

Jared Isaacman began taking flying lessons in 2004.

2008: First Attempt at Circumnavigating the Globe

In 2008, Jared Isaacman made his initial attempt to establish a new world record for circumnavigating the globe in a light jet. He aimed to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He fell short of the existing record of 82 hours by completing the journey in 83 hours.

April 2009: World Record for Circumnavigating the Globe

In April 2009, Jared Isaacman set a new world record for circumnavigating the globe in a light jet. He completed the flight in 61 hours, 51 minutes, and 15 seconds, surpassing the previous record by approximately 20 hours. Isaacman undertook this challenge as a fundraising initiative for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey, piloting a Cessna Citation CJ2 with a two-person crew. He strategically omitted stops in India and Japan to avoid delays experienced during his 2008 attempt.

2010: Formation of Black Diamond Jet Team

Jared Isaacman co-founded the Black Diamond Jet Team in 2010 and has performed in airshows with the team.

2011: Bachelor's Degree in Professional Aeronautics

Jared Isaacman earned a bachelor's degree in professional aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 2011.

2012: Co-founding of Draken International

Jared Isaacman co-founded Draken International in 2012. The Florida-based company specializes in training pilots for the United States Armed Forces and boasts one of the world's largest privately owned fleets of fighter jets.

2015: Success and Growth of Harbortouch

By 2015, United Bank Card had been renamed Harbortouch, a Pennsylvania-based point-of-sale payment company. Under Isaacman's leadership as founding CEO, the company had been profitable for over a decade, processing US$11 billion annually from 60,000 merchants and generating US$300 million in revenue.

2020: Shift4 Payments Processes $200 Billion Annually

By 2020, Harbortouch was renamed Shift4 Payments, with Isaacman remaining as CEO. The company was processing US$200 billion in payments annually.

February 2021: Announcement as Commander of Inspiration4 Mission

In February 2021, Jared Isaacman was announced as the commander of Inspiration4. This mission marked a historic event as the first private human spaceflight to not include any government agency personnel. Operated by SpaceX, the mission utilized an autonomous Crew Dragon spacecraft launched by a Falcon 9 launch vehicle.

August 2021: Inspiration4 Crew Featured on Time Magazine Cover

The Inspiration4 crew, including Jared Isaacman, graced the cover of a Time magazine double issue in August 2021.

September 15, 2021: Successful Launch and Orbit of Inspiration4

On September 15, 2021 (UTC), the Inspiration4 mission achieved orbit after a successful launch, ultimately splashing down three days later.

September 16, 2021: Launch of Inspiration4 Mission

On September 16, 2021, the Inspiration4 mission, a private spaceflight commanded by Jared Isaacman, launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission aimed to raise funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, with Isaacman pledging a $100 million donation.

September 18, 2021: Return of Inspiration4 Crew

On September 18, 2021, the Inspiration4 crew returned to Earth after orbiting at an altitude of 585 km (364 mi).

September 12, 2024: Polaris Dawn Mission and Spacewalk

On September 12, 2024, as part of the Polaris program, Jared Isaacman commanded the Polaris Dawn mission. This crewed spaceflight mission, composed of Jared Isaacman, Kidd (Scott) Poteet, Sarah Gillis, and Anna Menon, reached a record-breaking apogee of 1400 km before descending to a 700 km apogee. The crew successfully completed a multi-hour EVA, with Isaacman and Sarah Gillis exiting the spacecraft to become exposed to the vacuum of space. During the 5-day flight, the crew will conduct approximately 40 scientific experiments, provide insights into life in space, and undertake the first crewed demonstration of Starlink laser communication in space.