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United States Alexis Ohanian Sr. is a prominent internet entrepreneur, investor, and co-founder of Reddit, recognized for his contributions to technology, venture capital, and advocacy for an open internet.
Founder of 7️⃣7️⃣6️⃣, a venture capital firm focusing on the future of the World Wide Web and supporting aspiring entrepreneurs.
Co-founder and former Executive Chairman of Reddit, recognized for building the brand.
Reddit was sold to Condé Nast in 2006 for an undisclosed amount between $10 million and $20 million.
Partner at the startup accelerator and venture capital firm Y Combinator.
Helped launch the travel search website Hipmunk and acted as an adviser.
Started the social enterprise Breadpig, an "uncorporation" that produces geeky merchandise and gives proceeds to charity.
Launched Das Kapital Capital, which focuses on start-up investing, advising, and consulting.
Lead investor in a primarily female group that was awarded a new franchise in the National Women's Soccer League, later unveiled as Angel City FC.
Co-founded Initialized Capital in 2010 and made seed investments in startups including Instacart, Zenefits, Opendoor, and Cruise.
Invested $3 million in childcare start-up Kinside through Initialized Capital in 2019.
Invested $4 million in Dispo (David's Disposable) in 2020.
Invested $10 million into social startup pearpop in a Series A round in April 2021.
Founded Athlos, a women's-only track and field event.
Bought a 10 percent share of Chelsea Women FC for £20 million and joined their board of directors.
Incubating a modern dog wellness brand, Jinx.
Alexis Kerry Ohanian Sr. was born on April 24, 1983, in Brooklyn, New York City, and later moved to Ellicott City, Maryland, where he attended Howard High School. His early fascination with technology began in middle school upon receiving a 33.6k dial-up modem, leading him to take computer programming classes and build websites for non-profit organizations. Originally considering a career in law, Ohanian had an epiphany at a Waffle House in Charlottesville, Virginia, deciding instead to pursue entrepreneurship. He graduated from the University of Virginia in 2005 with degrees in commerce and history, and a minor in German.
Following graduation, Ohanian co-founded Reddit with his college roommate Steve Huffman, an online bulletin board aiming to become the “front page of the Internet.” Reddit participated in Y Combinator’s inaugural batch of startups in 2005 and was acquired by Condé Nast in 2006 for an estimated $10 million to $20 million. Ohanian continued his involvement with Reddit as a board member, returning full-time in 2015 alongside Huffman to lead the now-independent company. He stepped back in 2018 to focus on investing and resigned from Reddit’s board in June 2020, advocating for a Black candidate to fill his seat in response to the murder of George Floyd. Michael Seibel, an African-American entrepreneur, was subsequently appointed to the board.
Beyond Reddit, Ohanian launched Breadpig in 2007, an “uncorporation” selling geek merchandise for charity. He spent time in Armenia in 2010 as a Kiva fellow, contributing to microfinance initiatives. The same year, he co-launched Hipmunk, a travel search website, and established Das Kapital Capital for startup investing. Ohanian also served as a partner at Y Combinator, and in 2010, co-founded Initialized Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm that made seed investments in companies like Instacart, Zenefits, Opendoor, and Cruise. In 2021, he launched his new venture capital firm, 776. Ohanian has been a vocal advocate for an open internet, successfully campaigning against the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and PROTECT IP Act, and lobbying the FCC for net neutrality. He also supported the creation of the hijab emoji and founded Athlos in 2024, a women’s-only track and field event. In May 2025, he invested in Chelsea Women FC, acquiring a 10 percent share and joining their board.
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