Reid Hoffman

Reid Hoffman
Reid Hoffman
Born	Reid Garrett Hoffman; August 5, 1967 (age 59); Palo Alto, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Internet entrepreneur, venture capitalist, podcaster, author
Years active	1994–present
Known for	Co-founder of LinkedIn; executive chairman of LinkedIn; co-founder of Inflection AI and Manas AI; chair of Village Global; board member of Microsoft and Arc Institute
Notable work	The Start-Up of You, The Alliance

Reid Garrett Hoffman (born August 5, 1967) is a prominent American figure known for his roles as an internet entrepreneur, venture capitalist, podcaster, and author. He co-established LinkedIn, a premier professional networking site, where he also held the position of executive chairman. Hoffman currently chairs the venture capital firm Village Global, co-founded both Inflection AI and Manas AI, and holds board memberships at Microsoft and the Arc Institute.

Since 2011, Hoffman has been involved with the Bilderberg Group, and since 2015, he has participated in the Council on Foreign Relations, engaging with political and policy-making spheres. He actively promotes democratic governance and technological humanism through both advocacy and financial backing. As reported by Forbes in 2025, his net worth is estimated at $2.6 billion.

Early life and education

Hoffman was born in Palo Alto, California to lawyer parents who separated when he was just one year old. During his youth, he developed a keen interest in tabletop role-playing games and worked as an editor for the gaming company Chaosium, located near his hometown.

He completed his secondary education at the progressive The Putney School in Vermont before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in symbolic systems and cognitive science from Stanford University in 1990. Awarded a prestigious Marshall Scholarship, he pursued postgraduate studies at Wolfson College, Oxford, obtaining a Master of Studies (MSt) in philosophy in 1993.

Hoffman is a descendant of Theophilus Adam Wylie, who served as a Presbyterian minister and interim president of Indiana University. His family includes Eric Hoffman, a writer who is his uncle.

Early years

In 1994, Hoffman joined Apple Computer, contributing to the development of eWorld, an early online service later acquired by AOL in 1996. Afterward, he worked at Fujitsu before co-founding SocialNet.com in 1997, a platform designed to facilitate online dating and connect individuals with shared interests.

PayPal

At PayPal’s inception, Hoffman was part of its board of directors. He departed from SocialNet in January 2000 to assume the role of Chief Operating Officer at PayPal full-time. By June of that year, after CEO Elon Musk reorganized the company, Hoffman advanced to Senior Vice President of Business Development, where he managed strategic growth efforts.

LinkedIn

In December 2002, Hoffman co-founded LinkedIn alongside former associates from SocialNet and Fujitsu. The platform officially launched on May 5, 2003, becoming one of the earliest social networks oriented towards business professionals. Early investment came from Peter Thiel, a former PayPal colleague. When LinkedIn went public on May 19, 2011, Hoffman's ownership was valued near $2.34 billion, not including gains from his partnership at Greylock Partners starting in 2009.

On June 13, 2016, Microsoft revealed its acquisition of LinkedIn for $26.2 billion in cash. Subsequently, Hoffman joined Microsoft's board on March 14, 2017.

OpenAI

Hoffman was among the initial contributors to OpenAI in 2016—a nonprofit organization dedicated to AI research—founded by figures including Sam Altman and Elon Musk. Musk stepped down from OpenAI’s board in February 2018 due to conflicts arising from Tesla’s AI projects.

Following Musk’s exit and challenges securing funding, Hoffman played a key role in transitioning OpenAI toward a "capped-profit" structure by establishing a for-profit subsidiary aimed at attracting investments while upholding ethical AI principles. He led investments through his family foundation and joined OpenAI’s board of directors.

On March 3, 2023, Hoffman resigned from OpenAI’s board to prevent any conflicts stemming from his involvement with Greylock Partners’ investments and his leadership at Inflection AI.

Inflection AI

In March 2022, Hoffman co-established Inflection AI alongside Greylock partner Mustafa Suleyman, who also co-founded DeepMind. Based in Silicon Valley, Inflection’s mission is to create AI software that enhances the ease of interaction between humans and computers.

By March 2024, Microsoft secured a license for Inflection AI’s technology and brought on board Mustafa Suleyman as well as CSO Karén Simonyan, along with the majority of the company's 70 employees, in a transaction valued at approximately $650 million. Subsequently, Sean White was named CEO of Inflection, which then redirected its efforts toward enterprise-focused AI solutions.

Manas AI

In January 2025, Hoffman introduced Manas AI, a startup specializing in AI-powered drug discovery, co-founded with cancer expert Siddhartha Mukherjee. The venture raised roughly $25 million in its initial funding round.

Other artificial intelligence ventures

Toward the end of 2022, Hoffman invested $2.2 million in JusticeText, a platform aimed at assisting public defenders by managing and analyzing video evidence to promote transparency in criminal justice.

By May 2023, Hoffman and Greylock Partners had invested in over 37 AI startups, including Tome, an AI-based productivity software company that quickly amassed one million users.

Hoffman has publicly rejected proposals to halt advanced AI development, labeling such suggestions as "foolish." He advocates for accelerating AI advancements to tackle societal issues like healthcare and education, envisioning AI as providing universal medical aides and educational tutors.

Inc. magazine dubbed Hoffman the "evangelist in chief" for both Inflection AI and the broader artificial intelligence industry, noting his conversations on AI with prominent figures such as President Biden and the Pope.

In April 2024, Hoffman participated in an interview conducted with an AI deepfake version of himself created using OpenAI's GPT-4 model, trained on over two decades of his public content. The discussion covered topics including AI regulation and technological capabilities.

Investing

Following the sale of PayPal to eBay, Hoffman emerged as a prominent angel investor within Silicon Valley. Former SurveyMonkey CEO Dave Goldberg regarded him as a crucial contact for entrepreneurs. Hoffman joined Greylock Partners in 2009.

He arranged the initial meeting between Mark Zuckerberg and Peter Thiel, which resulted in Thiel’s $500,000 angel investment in Facebook. Hoffman also participated in Facebook’s early funding rounds.

Since joining Greylock, Hoffman has invested extensively across sectors such as consumer technology, transportation, finance, and artificial intelligence. Key investments include leading Airbnb’s Series A round along with backing Aurora Innovation, Taptap Send, and Helion Energy.

Hoffman served on Zynga’s board from 2008 until 2014 and currently holds board positions at Aurora, Joby Aviation, and Microsoft.

He has made significant investments in transportation tech companies including Aurora, Convoy, Nauto, Nuro, and Joby Aviation.

An early adopter of cryptocurrency ventures, Hoffman spearheaded Greylock’s Series A funding for Xapo—a bitcoin wallet provider—in 2014.

In August 2023, Hoffman announced his decision to step down from his role as a general partner at Greylock while continuing as a venture partner.

Additionally, he has invested in California Forever, an enterprise focusing on developing a new planned city located in Solano County, California.

Teaching

Hoffman serves as the instructor for the complimentary Stanford University course titled "Blitzscaling."

In 2023, he delivered the Commencement Address at Bologna Business School, where he highlighted the significance of AI in enhancing human creativity, fostering collaboration, and driving advancement.

During 2024, Hoffman presented a keynote speech at the International Journalism Festival held in Perugia, Italy, concentrating on the need to balance technological innovation with ethical responsibility to boost human potential and connectivity. Additionally, he lectured at the LSE School of Public Policy on how AI is reshaping society, governance structures, and international relations. In February 2025, he was appointed Visiting Senior Fellow at LSE.

In May 2025, Hoffman received an honorary doctorate from the Chiba Institute of Technology in recognition of his impactful contributions to society.

Together with Professor Fred Kofman and Zur Genosar, Hoffman established The Hoffman Kofman Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to cultivating leaders who inspire dedication toward generating social and economic value.

The Start-Up of You

Hoffman co-wrote The Start-Up of You: Adapt to the Future, Invest in Yourself, and Transform your Career alongside Ben Casnocha. Published in the United States on February 14, 2012, the book encourages readers to perceive themselves as independent enterprises—the "CEO" of their own career—drawing analogies between Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and individual professional growth.

Publishers Weekly commended the book for offering practical advice applicable throughout various career phases, aiding readers in navigating professional uncertainty successfully. The Economist recognized Hoffman's insightful commentary on evolving workforce trends. The title achieved bestseller status on both the New York Times and Wall Street Journal lists.

The Alliance

Co-authored by Hoffman, Ben Casnocha, and Chris Yeh, The Alliance: Managing Talent in the Networked Age was released in the U.S. on July 8, 2014. It critiques conventional career paradigms such as lifelong employment and unrestricted free agency, proposing instead a "relational" framework where employers and employees act as "allies" within an environment of ongoing business transformation.

The book attained New York Times bestseller recognition. Arianna Huffington designated it as the "must-read book of the summer" in 2014. A Financial Times review acknowledged its value for readers less familiar with modern workplace dynamics but suggested it offered limited depth for those seeking extensive analysis.

Blitzscaling

On October 9, 2018, Hoffman and Chris Yeh released Blitzscaling: The Lightning-Fast Path to Building Massively Valuable Companies in the U.S. This work introduces "blitzscaling," a methodology focused on accelerating company growth rapidly to surpass competitors and achieve substantial market valuation.

Impromptu: Amplifying Our Humanity Through AI

Hoffman published Impromptu: Amplifying Our Humanity Through AI on March 13, 2023. Notably, he composed this book utilizing the GPT-4 large language model. It reached Wall Street Journal bestseller status by April 2023.

Superagency: What Could Possibly Go Right With our AI Future

Released on January 28, 2025, Superagency: What Could Possibly Go Right With our AI Future, authored by Hoffman and Greg Beato, outlines a strategic vision for inclusive and flexible AI adoption aimed at fostering beneficial societal transformation. The book attained the status of a New York Times bestseller.

Podcasts

Reid Hoffman introduced the business and finance podcast Masters of Scale on April 25, 2017, with its inaugural episode broadcast on May 3, 2017. This podcast is produced by WaitWhat, a media firm led by former TED executives June Cohen and Deron Triff. It features Hoffman conducting interviews with leading entrepreneurs and executives. Distinguished guests have included Airbnb’s CEO Brian Chesky, Netflix co-founder Reed Hastings, Uber’s CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, Thrive Global founder Arianna Huffington, Imagine Entertainment founders Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, Ariel Investments co-CEO Mellody Hobson, and former President Barack Obama.

Since its launch, Masters of Scale has been recognized with several Webby and Signal awards for outstanding digital audio storytelling.

In March 2023, Hoffman teamed up with his Chief of Staff Aria Finger to debut the podcast Possible, which delves into forward-thinking concepts regarding the future and the initiatives required to bring them to fruition. The podcast garnered two Webby awards in 2024: Best Individual Episode for the feature with Trevor Noah and Best Crime and Justice Episode for Bryan Stevenson’s appearance.

Honors and awards

Reid was named a Visiting Senior Fellow at the London School of Economics in February 2025.
In 2024, he was designated a Distinguished Fellow at the Columbia University Institute of Global Politics.
During the Bologna Business School commencement in September 2023, he was honored with the Sigillum Magnum from University of Bologna.
He delivered the commencement speech at Vanderbilt University in 2022 and was awarded Vanderbilt’s Nichols-Chancellor's Medal.
Reid received an Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2017 in recognition of his contributions to UK business promotion, social networking, and support for the Marshall Scholarship program.
The American Academy of Achievement presented Hoffman with the Golden Plate award in September 2014 for his notable accomplishments.
In April 2014, President Barack Obama appointed him as a Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship to aid emerging business leaders.
That same month, he was honored with the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Commonwealth Club of California.
In May 2012, Hoffman was ranked third on the Forbes Midas List of top technology investors; Forbes described him as "Silicon Valley’s uber-investor" due to his influence across key social media startups.
Also in 2012, he received the Martin Luther King Jr. Center's "Salute to Greatness" award recognizing his leadership and commitment to social responsibility.
Hoffman and Salman Khan were jointly honored by the World Affairs Councils of America and Global Philanthropy Forum that year for their work in Technology for Social Impact.
The 2012 David Packard Medal of Achievement from TechAmerica was awarded to him in recognition of his impact on the high-tech sector and community.
An Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Babson College was conferred upon Hoffman in 2012.
In 2011, Hoffman shared the EY U.S. Entrepreneur of the Year Award with LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner.

Personal life

In 2004, Hoffman wed Michelle Yee, and the couple resides in Seattle, Washington. He is passionate about board games, notably Settlers of Catan, which he regards as valuable preparation for business strategy.

Hoffman’s initial connection to Jeffrey Epstein occurred through the MIT Media Lab while assisting in fundraising efforts involving Epstein. In July 2013, Epstein convened with Hoffman and others at MIT. According to reports from 2019, Hoffman hosted a dinner that included Epstein, Elon Musk, and Mark Zuckerberg. In September 2023, the Wall Street Journal disclosed that Hoffman visited Epstein’s private island in 2014; Hoffman explained the purpose was to solicit donations for MIT and expressed remorse regarding the encounter.

In July 2024, the Washington Post revealed Hoffman had invested millions in election technology firm Smartmatic, which is currently engaged in defamation litigation with multiple media organizations.

Philanthropy

Hoffman holds board positions at several organizations: Kiva.org, a platform facilitating peer-to-peer microloans for entrepreneurs and students lacking access; Endeavor Global, which supports high-impact entrepreneurs in emerging economies; and New America, a think tank focused on public policy issues including technology and economic development. He is a founding donor and board member of Opportunity@Work, an initiative dedicated to bridging opportunity gaps for skilled yet under-credentialed Americans from diverse backgrounds. Additionally, Hoffman serves on the board of Lever for Change—affiliated with the MacArthur Foundation—which connects donors to innovative social impact projects, as well as the Berggruen Institute, a prominent think tank.

Previously, Hoffman contributed as an advisory council member of the MIT Media Lab and chaired the advisory board of QuestBridge, which links talented low-income students with leading universities. He was the inaugural major supporter of Crisis Text Line, a free, round-the-clock SMS crisis service in the United States. In 2013, Hoffman granted $250,000 as a matching donation to Code for America. By 2016, he sponsored a $250,000 cash award for the MIT Media Lab’s MIT Disobedience Award, co-created with Joi Ito to recognize acts of socially beneficial disobedience.

In November 2016, Hoffman and Michelle Yee contributed $20 million to the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative’s Biohub project, which aims to eliminate disease by the year 2100; Hoffman also joined its governing board. In May 2018, they committed to philanthropy by joining the Giving Pledge, promising to donate a majority of their wealth.

Hoffman has been a steadfast supporter of Second Harvest of Silicon Valley. In response to increased need during the pandemic in 2021, he pledged to match donations up to $2 million for this food bank.

Artificial intelligence philanthropy

Hoffman supports the Ethics and Governance of Artificial Intelligence Fund, a joint effort between the MIT Media Lab and Harvard’s Berkman Klein Center. He is a board member at Stanford’s Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI), which advances AI research and policy aimed at societal benefit. Furthermore, he established the Hoffman-Yee Research Grants to promote interdisciplinary AI research. In 2018, Hoffman endowed a faculty chair at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Information focused on studying AI’s impact on society.

Politics

Since 2011, Hoffman has taken part in the Bilderberg Group, a prestigious annual gathering of influential figures from politics and business. In 2015, he gained membership in the Council on Foreign Relations.

In 2013, Hoffman helped establish FWD.us, an advocacy organization promoting immigration reform. His political contributions include $150,000 to Mayday PAC in 2014 and $500,000 to an independent expenditure committee supporting David Chiu's campaign for the State Assembly. Additionally, in 2016, he provided $220,000 in support of Matt Dunne’s bid for governor of Vermont.

In 2016, Hoffman designed a card game satirizing Donald Trump. Two years later, he issued an apology after unknowingly financing a political disinformation effort during Alabama’s special Senate election. He also backed E. Jean Carroll’s defamation case against Trump, which culminated in a $5 million damages award in 2023.

Hoffman allocated half of a $35 million investment to launch Alloy in 2018, a data-sharing platform aimed at Democratic organizations; however, Alloy ceased operations in 2021. He is a vocal proponent of voting rights and democratic engagement, authoring thought pieces on safeguarding electoral participation and advocating for Election Day to become a public holiday.

Since 2022, Hoffman has contributed at least $500,000 to the Mainstream Democrats super PAC, which supports centrist candidates such as Henry Cuellar and Kurt Schrader. In October 2022, he was appointed to the Defense Innovation Board, which advises the U.S. Department of Defense.

During the 2024 presidential race, Hoffman initially endorsed President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign and criticized donors who withheld funding following Biden’s debate performance. After Biden withdrew from the race, Hoffman shifted his support to Kamala Harris’s campaign and expressed optimism that her administration would replace Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan.