Early Life and Education
Reid Garrett Hoffman was born on August 5, 1967, in Palo Alto, California. He attended the Putney School in Vermont and later graduated from Stanford University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in symbolic systems and cognitive science. He furthered his education at Wolfson College, Oxford, earning a Master of Studies in Philosophy in 1993 as a Marshall Scholar.
Rise to Success
Hoffman's career began with roles at Apple Computer and Fujitsu before he co-founded SocialNet.com in 1997. His trajectory shifted significantly when he joined PayPal as COO in January 2000, and later as Senior VP of Business Development. Hoffman co-founded LinkedIn in December 2002 and it officially launched in May 2003. LinkedIn's IPO in May 2011 highlighted his success, with his stake valued at $2.34 billion. In 2016, Microsoft acquired LinkedIn for $26.2 billion, solidifying Hoffman's influence in the tech world. He is currently a partner at Greylock Partners and co-founded Inflection AI and Manas AI.
Key Business Strategies
Hoffman's key strategies include early-stage investment in tech companies, focusing on social networking, AI, and consumer services. His venture capital work at Greylock Partners has allowed him to support and guide multiple tech startups, including Airbnb. Hoffman is known for applying game theory and strategic thinking to business, as well as his focus on building strong networks and connections.
Philanthropy
Hoffman has contributed a significant amount of $1.5 billion into impact investments through charitable entities like donor-advised funds. He is involved in various philanthropic initiatives and supports democratic institutions.