Reid Hoffman: The Visionary Who Built LinkedIn and Sold It for $26 Billion
Reid Hoffman, born on August 5, 1967, in Palo Alto, California, is a renowned American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, author, and advocate for ethical technology. He is best known as the co-founder of LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional networking platform, and as a partner at the venture capital firm Greylock Partners. Hoffman’s career spans the development of transformative digital platforms, early investments in major tech companies, and a significant influence on the future of artificial intelligence (AI). Wikipedia
Early Life and Education Reid Hoffman
Reid Hoffman was raised in Berkeley, California, and was fascinated with games and systems thinking. As a teenager, he worked as an editor at Chaosium, a tabletop game company, and attended The Putney School in Vermont, where he engaged in farming activities and studied epistemology. Geni, Goodreturns.
He pursued higher education at Stanford University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Symbolic Systems and Cognitive Science in 1990. Awarded a Marshall Scholarship, he continued his studies at Wolfson College, Oxford, obtaining a Master of Studies in Philosophy in 1993. Goodreturn, wikipedia
Early Career and the PayPal Mafia
Hoffman’s professional journey began in the tech industry, where he joined Apple Computer and later Fujitsu. In 1997, he co-founded SocialNet, a platform focused on online dating and professional networking. Although SocialNet did not achieve significant success, it provided Hoffman with valuable experience in building online communities. Medium
He then joined PayPal in its early stages, serving as Executive Vice President. At PayPal, Hoffman was instrumental in business development and strategy, contributing to the company’s growth until its acquisition by eBay in 2002. His tenure at PayPal placed him among the “PayPal Mafia,” a group of former PayPal employees who went on to found or invest in numerous successful tech companies. Business Insider
Founding LinkedIn
In December 2002, Hoffman co-founded LinkedIn, aiming to create a professional networking platform that would connect individuals and facilitate career development. The platform officially launched in May 2003 and rapidly gained traction, reaching profitability in 2006. LinkedIn went public in 2011 and was later acquired by Microsoft in 2016 for $26.2 billion. Following the acquisition, Hoffman joined Microsoft’s board of directors, where he continues to influence the company’s strategic direction. Business Insider
Venture Capital and Investments
After LinkedIn’s success, Hoffman became a partner at Greylock Partners in 2009, focusing on early-stage investments in consumer and enterprise technology companies. His investment portfolio includes notable companies such as Facebook, Airbnb, Zynga, and Flickr . Hoffman played a pivotal role in introducing Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg to investor Peter Thiel, leading to Facebook’s initial funding round. Medium
Beyond these, he has invested in over 80 technology startups, including Aurora Innovation, Convoy, and Helion Energy, demonstrating a keen eye for transformative technologies. Wikipedia
Contributions to Artificial Intelligence
Hoffman has been a significant advocate and investor in the field of artificial intelligence. He was among the initial donors to OpenAI, supporting its mission to ensure that artificial general intelligence benefits all of humanity. In 2022, he co-founded Inflection AI with Mustafa Suleyman, focusing on developing AI software that facilitates natural human-computer interactions. Microsoft later licensed Inflection AI’s technology in a deal reportedly worth $650 million. lemonde
In 2025, Hoffman launched Manas AI, an AI-enabled drug discovery startup, in collaboration with cancer researcher Siddhartha Mukherjee, securing approximately $25 million in initial funding. Wikipedia
Hoffman advocates for the responsible acceleration of AI development, emphasizing its potential to address societal challenges in healthcare, education, and beyond . Time
Authorship and Thought Leadership
An accomplished author, Hoffman has co-written several books that explore entrepreneurship, career development, and organizational growth. His notable works include:
The Start-Up of You (2012), co-authored with Ben Casnocha, which offers insights into adapting to the future and investing in personal growth.Wikipedia
The Alliance (2014), co-authored with Ben Casnocha and Chris Yeh, discusses how to manage talent in the networked age.
Blitzscaling (2018), co-authored with Chris Yeh, examines strategies for rapidly scaling companies. opportunityatwork
Through his podcast, “Masters of Scale,” Hoffman shares conversations with successful entrepreneurs, providing listeners with lessons on scaling businesses effectively. Academy of Achievement
Political and Ethical Engagement
Hoffman is actively involved in political and ethical discussions surrounding technology. A member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Bilderberg Group, he has contributed to various political campaigns and organizations, advocating for democratic institutions and humanistic approaches to technological innovation. nypost
He emphasizes the importance of embedding ethical values into AI technologies and supports initiatives that promote transparency and accountability in the tech industry .Time
Personal Life
In 2004, Hoffman married Michelle Yee, and the couple resides in Seattle, Washington. An avid player of board games, Hoffman believes that such games are excellent training for strategic thinking in business. Wikipedia
Conclusion
Reid Hoffman’s journey from a philosophy student to a Silicon Valley titan exemplifies the impact of strategic thinking, innovation, and ethical consideration in technology. His contributions to professional networking, venture capital, and artificial intelligence continue to shape the digital landscape, influencing how individuals connect, companies grow, and technologies evolve. frederick 
Sources:
Academy of Achievement: Reid HoffmanAcademy of Achievement
Greylock Partners: Reid HoffmanReid Hoffman
Business Insider: How Reid Hoffman went from studying philosophy at Oxford to building LinkedInBusiness Insider
Wikipedia: Reid Hoffman
The New Yorker: The Network Mannewyorker.com
Time: Reid HoffmanWIRED
Le Monde: Reid Hoffman
New York Post: Billionaire Reid Hoffman, who wished Trump was ‘actual martyr,’ is a dark money Dem donorNew York Post
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