History of Tony Hsieh in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 25, 2024

Anthony Hsieh was a prominent figure in the world of internet entrepreneurship and venture capitalism. He is best known for his 21-year tenure as CEO of Zappos, the online shoe and clothing retailer. Before his time at Zappos, Hsieh co-founded LinkExchange, an internet advertising network, which he and his partners sold to Microsoft in 1998 for $265 million.

December 12, 1973: Tony Hsieh is born

Tony Hsieh was born on December 12, 1973.

1993: ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest Victory

As part of the Harvard University team, Tony Hsieh won the 1993 ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest.

1995: Graduation from Harvard University

Tony Hsieh graduated from Harvard University with a degree in computer science in 1995.

March 1996: Launch of LinkExchange

Tony Hsieh, along with Sanjay Mandan and Ali Partovi, launched LinkExchange, an advertising network, in March 1996.

November 1998: Acquisition of LinkExchange by Microsoft

In November 1998, LinkExchange was acquired by Microsoft for $265 million.

1998: Sale of LinkExchange

Tony Hsieh sold LinkExchange, an internet advertising network he co-founded, to Microsoft in 1998 for $265 million.

1999: Initial Investment in Zappos

Tony Hsieh and Alfred Lin made an initial investment in Zappos, an online shoe retailer, in 1999.

2000: Hsieh becomes CEO of Zappos

Two months after their initial investment, Tony Hsieh joined Zappos as CEO in 2000.

2007: Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year

Tony Hsieh received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award for the Northern California region in 2007.

July 22, 2009: Amazon Acquires Zappos

Amazon acquired Zappos in a deal valued at approximately $1.2 billion on July 22, 2009.

2009: Zappos Reaches $1 Billion in Revenue

By 2009, under Hsieh's leadership, Zappos reached $1 billion in revenue.

2009: Downtown Las Vegas Revitalization Project

Starting in 2009, Tony Hsieh spearheaded a major redevelopment and revitalization project for downtown Las Vegas.

2010: Publication of "Delivering Happiness"

Tony Hsieh's book "Delivering Happiness," which focused on his entrepreneurial journey, was published in 2010 and became a New York Times Best Seller.