Ellen Huet
Ellen Huet | |
|---|---|
| Born | Fremont, California, United States |
| Alma mater | Stanford University (BA in English and Political Science) |
| Occupation(s) | Investigative journalist, features writer |
| Years active | 2010s–present |
| Known for | Investigative reporting on startups, Silicon Valley culture, technology; host of Foundering podcast |
Ellen Huet is an investigative journalist from the United States who focuses on startups, Silicon Valley culture, and technology sectors. She works as a features writer for Bloomberg News and Bloomberg Businessweek, reporting on topics such as artificial intelligence, consumer tech, and the power structures within the technology industry.
Early life and education
Raised in Fremont, California, Huet obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Political Science at Stanford University. During her time there, she held the roles of senior staff writer and managing news editor for The Stanford Daily.
Career
Huet launched her journalism career at the San Francisco Chronicle, where she covered crime stories and breaking news events. She subsequently joined Forbes as a technology-focused staff writer, exploring the societal implications of tech advancements. Since December 2015, she has been reporting for Bloomberg, concentrating on technology trends and startup ecosystems.
OneTaste investigation
In 2018, Huet published an investigative piece in Bloomberg Businessweek titled "The Dark Side of the Orgasmic Meditation Company," which revealed allegations regarding exploitative labor practices at OneTaste, a startup in the sexuality wellness space. This exposé played a role in triggering an FBI inquiry into the company.
"Foundering" podcast
Huet hosted a seven-episode narrative podcast called Foundering in 2020, which detailed the ascent and decline of WeWork along with its co-founder Adam Neumann. The podcast earned first place in the SABEW Best in Business audio category and was shortlisted for the Livingston Award. In 2024, she released a subsequent season that explored the origins and internal conflicts at OpenAI, including an in-depth profile of CEO Sam Altman.
Awards and recognition
Among her significant honors are:
- Livingston Award finalist (2021) for her work on Foundering.
- Winner of first place in SABEW Best in Business audio category (2020) for Foundering.
- First place in Digital Media: Breaking News at the Bay Area Journalism Awards (2020) for coverage related to WeWork’s IPO filing.
Notable Publications
- "Unveiling the Dark Side of the Orgasmic Meditation Enterprise" – Bloomberg Businessweek
- "Creators of the Essential Burning Man Instrument Now Aim to Discontinue It" – Bloomberg Businessweek
- "WeWork's Ambition to Own Its Properties Drives Latest Investment Surge" – Bloomberg Businessweek
- Empire of Orgasm: Sex, Power, and the Collapse of a Wellness Cult (October 2025)
External links
- Articles with short description
- Articles with hCards
- No local image but image on Wikidata
- Living people
- Year of birth missing (living people)
- 21st-century American women journalists
- Stanford University alumni
- People from Fremont, California
- Forbes people
- San Francisco Chronicle people
- Bloomberg L.P. people
- American women podcasters