Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Sam Altman

How Sam Altman built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Sam Altman is an American entrepreneur and investor recognized as the CEO of OpenAI since 2019, a leading artificial intelligence research and deployment company. Beyond AI, Altman is also involved in the clean energy sector, serving as chairman of Oklo Inc. and Helion Energy, companies focused on developing advanced nuclear technologies. His leadership roles reflect a focus on innovative and potentially transformative technologies across different sectors.

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Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2005: Co-founded Loopt

In 2005, at the age of 19, Sam Altman co-founded Loopt, a location-based social networking mobile application, and became its CEO.

2011: Partner at Y Combinator

In 2011, Sam Altman became a partner at Y Combinator (YC), initially working on a part-time basis.

March 2012: Loopt Acquired by Green Dot Corporation

In March 2012, Loopt was acquired by the Green Dot Corporation for $43.4 million after failing to gain significant user traction.

April 2012: Co-founded Hydrazine Capital

In April 2012, Sam Altman co-founded Hydrazine Capital with his brother, Jack Altman. The firm focuses on early-stage tech investments.

February 2014: Named President of Y Combinator

In February 2014, Sam Altman was named president of Y Combinator by co-founder Paul Graham.

2014: President of Y Combinator

In 2014, Sam Altman became the president of Y Combinator.

2014: CEO of Reddit and invested in Reddit funding rounds

In 2014, Sam Altman served as the CEO of Reddit for eight days and invested in multiple rounds of funding for Reddit in the years 2014, 2015, and 2021.

July 10, 2015: Steve Huffman returns as CEO

On July 10, 2015, Sam Altman announced the return of Steve Huffman as CEO of Reddit.

October 2015: Announced YC Continuity and Y Combinator Research

In October 2015, Sam Altman announced YC Continuity, a $700 million equity fund. He also introduced Y Combinator Research, donating $10 million of his own funds.

December 2015: Co-founded OpenAI

In December 2015, Sam Altman co-founded OpenAI, an artificial intelligence research organization, with others including Elon Musk and Jessica Livingston.

2015: OpenAI Launch and Funding

When OpenAI launched in 2015, it had raised $1 billion.

September 2016: Expanded Role as President of YC Group

In September 2016, Sam Altman announced his expanded role as president of YC Group, which included Y Combinator and other units.

March 2019: Left Y Combinator to Focus on OpenAI

In March 2019, Sam Altman left Y Combinator to focus full-time on OpenAI as CEO.

March 2019: Transition from President to Chairman of the Board at YC

In March 2019, YC announced Sam Altman's transition from president to chairman of the board, allowing him to focus on OpenAI.

2019: Sam Altman became CEO of OpenAI

In 2019, Sam Altman became the chief executive officer of OpenAI.

2019: Co-founded Tools For Humanity

In 2019, Sam Altman co-founded Tools For Humanity, a company that builds and distributes systems designed to scan people's eyes for authentication.

2019: Stepped down as president of Y Combinator

In 2019, Sam Altman ended his tenure as president of Y Combinator.

May 2020: Donated to American Bridge 21st Century

In May 2020, Sam Altman donated $250,000 to American Bridge 21st Century, a super PAC supporting Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.

2020: No longer affiliated with YC

As of early 2020, Sam Altman was no longer affiliated with Y Combinator.

March 2021: Co-founded AltC Acquisition Corp

In March 2021, Sam Altman co-founded AltC Acquisition Corp, a special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC), where he is also the CEO.

2021: Moore's Law for Everything

In 2021, Altman wrote a blog post titled "Moore's Law for Everything," expressing his belief that AI could generate $13,500 of yearly UBI in the United States within ten years.

2021: Invested in Reddit funding rounds

In 2021, Sam Altman invested in Reddit's funding rounds.

2022: Left Reddit Board

In 2022, Sam Altman left Reddit's board.

March 2023: Provided Capital During Silicon Valley Bank Run

During the depositor run on Silicon Valley Bank in mid-March 2023, Sam Altman provided capital to multiple startups.

May 2023: World Tour After ChatGPT Success

In May 2023, following the success of ChatGPT, Sam Altman embarked on a world tour, visiting 22 countries and meeting with various leaders and diplomats.

May 16, 2023: Testified Before Senate Subcommittee on AI Oversight

On May 16, 2023, Sam Altman testified before the United States Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law about issues of AI oversight.

November 2023: Brief Dismissal and Reinstatement as CEO of OpenAI

In November 2023, Sam Altman was briefly dismissed and then reinstated as the CEO of OpenAI.

November 2023: Helen Toner explained the board's rationale for firing Altman

In November 2023, former board member Helen Toner explained the board's rationale for firing Altman, stating that Altman had withheld information.

November 17, 2023: Removal as CEO of OpenAI

On November 17, 2023, OpenAI's board announced the decision to remove Sam Altman as CEO, citing that he "was not consistently candid in his communications".