Jon Oringer

Jon Oringer
Jon Oringer
Born	May 2, 1974 (age 52); Scarsdale, New York, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, programmer, photographer, billionaire
Known for	Founder and CEO of Shutterstock

Jon Oringer (born May 2, 1974) is an American entrepreneur, programmer, photographer, and billionaire, recognized primarily as the founder and CEO of Shutterstock, a New York City-based stock media enterprise. Oringer's career commenced in the 1990s during his college years when he developed one of the earliest pop-up blockers on the Internet. Subsequently, he launched approximately ten small startups employing a subscription-based model to market software such as personal firewalls, accounting tools, cookie blockers, trademark management systems, and other applications.

In 2003, Oringer established Shutterstock to deliver microstock photography services. The company debuted on the New York Stock Exchange in 2012. Following the public offering, Oringer was identified as New York’s inaugural tech billionaire in 2013. By March 2016, Shutterstock boasted over 100,000 contributors and served an active clientele of 1.4 million users spanning 150 countries. In recognition of his achievements, Oringer was honored as New York’s Technology Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young in 2012 and featured in Crain's New York 40 Under 40 list in 2013.

Early life and education

Jon Oringer was born and raised in Scarsdale, New York in 1974. His programming journey began during elementary school with an Apple IIe computer, where he created basic games and plugins for bulletin board systems. Alongside this, he cultivated an interest in photography as a pastime. While attending Scarsdale High School from 1988 to 1992, he initially gave guitar lessons but later transitioned to repairing computers at home due to higher earning potential.

Upon enrolling at Stony Brook University in 1993, Oringer started selling software online and developed one of the Internet’s earliest pop-up blocker programs. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science and mathematics in 1997 and completed a Master of Science in computer science at Columbia University by 1998. During his graduate studies, he concentrated on creating complementary subscription-based software products such as firewalls and other utilities. Oringer estimates founding nearly ten startups during this timeframe, predominantly operating as a solo founder.

Founding Shutterstock

While promoting his software through mailing lists, Oringer observed that emails containing images had higher engagement rates. Noticing a shortage of affordable generic stock photos, he purchased a Canon Rebel camera in 2003 to develop a new stock photo platform aimed at advertisers and specializing in "microstock photography." Over six months, he captured approximately 100,000 photos and ultimately uploaded around 30,000 images to his site, Shutterstock. Entirely self-financed, Oringer leased a modest office space in New York City and initially handled all operational roles himself, including customer support. He introduced a subscription model offering unlimited photo downloads starting at US$49 per month and marketed Shutterstock using channels such as Google AdWords.

Initially relying on friends as models for shoots, Oringer subsequently appointed a photo director to coordinate sessions professionally. As demand grew beyond supply capacity, he took on the role of agent to recruit additional photographers and established a review team to ensure editorial standards were maintained.

IPO

Oringer led Shutterstock through its initial public offering in May 2012, with the company listing on the New York Stock Exchange by October that year. After going public, he retained approximately 55% ownership primarily through Pixel Holdings. The company's stock experienced substantial growth over the following year; by June 2013, analyst Andre Sequin from RBC Capital Markets dubbed Oringer the "first billionaire emerging from Silicon Alley," estimating his net worth at around US$1.05 billion.

Recent developments

In 2014, Oringer delivered a speech at Columbia University's School of Engineering and Applied Science during Class Day. That same year, Shutterstock relocated its headquarters from a Wall Street office to the Empire State Building in March.

In January 2015, Oringer orchestrated Shutterstock's purchase of Rex Features, recognized as Europe's largest independent photo press agency, along with PremiumBeat, a platform specializing in stock music and sound effects.

When faced with internal criticism regarding the adoption of censorship measures for the Chinese market, Oringer justified this approach as a strategic concession aimed at preserving access to the market and continuing to offer creative tools to China's population of 1.3 billion, rather than exiting completely.

In February 2020, Oringer announced his decision to resign as Shutterstock's CEO effective April 2020, transitioning into the role of executive chairman.

Awards and recognition

Oringer has been honored with multiple business distinctions, including securing the 41st spot on the 2009 Silicon Alley 100, which highlights Manhattan’s leading entrepreneurs, investors, and technologists. In 2013, Business Insider recognized him as New York technology’s most influential figure. Additionally, he received the Technology Entrepreneur of the Year award from Ernst & Young in 2012 and was listed among Crain's New York 40 Under 40 in 2013.

Personal life

Residing in Manhattan's West Village, Oringer earned certification as a commercial helicopter pilot around 2012. In 2020, he acquired a Miami Beach estate for $42 million, setting a new record price on North Bay Road.

External links

JonOringer.com