Alexis Ohanian Biography And Wiki
Alexis Ohanian is an American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and investor, best known for co-founding the social news website Reddit in 2005 alongside Steve Huffman and Aaron Swartz. Born on April 24, 1983, in Brooklyn, New York, he grew up as the only child of his mother, Anke, who immigrated from Germany, and his father, whose parents were Armenian refugees. Alexis attended Howard High School in Ellicott City, Maryland, before graduating from the University of Virginia with a double major in history and business commerce, along with a minor in German. In addition to his work with Reddit, which was acquired by Condé Nast in 2006, he co-founded the early-stage venture capital firm Initialized Capital, which has invested in major companies like Coinbase and Instacart.
Age And Birthday
Alexis Ohanian was born on April 24, 1983, making him 41 years old as of 2025.
Height And Weight
Alexis Ohanian is 6 feet 5 inches (198 cm) tall and weighs around 212 pounds (95 kg).
Education Background
Alexis Ohanian graduated from Howard High School in Ellicott City, Maryland, in 2001 before attending the University of Virginia, where he earned a double major in history and business commerce, with a minor in German. Although he initially considered pursuing computer science, he ultimately chose history and business. In hindsight, Alexis has acknowledged that a background in computer science would have been helpful for his tech industry career.
Nationality And Ethnicity
Alexis Ohanian is an American by nationality, born in Brooklyn, New York City. He has a mixed ethnic background, with his father of Armenian descent (his paternal grandparents were Armenian refugees) and his mother being of German origin.
Milestones, Significant Contributions, And Notable Works
Alexis Ohanian has reached numerous career milestones and made impactful contributions. Here are some of his key achievements:
Milestones:
- Co-founded Reddit: In 2005, Alexis co-founded Reddit with Steve Huffman and Aaron Swartz, quickly establishing it as one of the most visited websites.
- Initialized Capital: He co-founded Initialized Capital, a venture capital firm that has invested in successful startups like Coinbase and Instacart.
- Hipmunk: Alexis played a role in launching Hipmunk, a travel search engine.
- Breadpig: He founded Breadpig, a social enterprise focused on supporting creative projects.
- Y Combinator: Alexis served as a partner at Y Combinator, a prominent startup accelerator.
Significant Contributions:
- Advocacy for Diversity: In 2020, Alexis resigned from Reddit’s board, encouraging the company to replace him with a Black candidate, championing racial equity in tech.
- Parental Leave Advocacy: Alexis has been an advocate for paid family leave and workplace equality.
- Philanthropy: Through Breadpig and other ventures, Alexis has supported various charitable initiatives.
Notable Works:
- Reddit: As a co-founder, Alexis played a pivotal role in shaping Reddit into a cultural icon.
- Initialized Capital: His firm has made notable investments in the tech world, aiding the growth of numerous startups.
- Hipmunk: Alexis helped create a user-friendly travel search engine through Hipmunk.
- Breadpig: This social enterprise has financed creative projects and contributed to charitable causes.
Wife and Children
Alexis Ohanian is married to tennis superstar Serena Williams. The couple got engaged on December 10, 2016, and married on November 16, 2017, in New Orleans. They have two daughters:
Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.: Born on September 1, 2017, Olympia, affectionately known as “Junior,” has gained attention on social media and enjoys activities like ballet and music.
Adira River Ohanian: Born on August 15, 2023, Adira is the younger of the two daughters.
Alexis and Serena have a strong relationship and often share moments from their family life on social media.
Career
Alexis Ohanian co-founded Reddit in 2005 alongside Steve Huffman and Aaron Swartz. The platform quickly gained popularity, becoming one of the most widely used social news websites due to its user-generated content and diverse online communities. Reddit’s success eventually led to its acquisition by Condé Nast in 2006, which provided Alexis with the financial stability to explore other ventures.
In 2011, Alexis co-founded Initialized Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm with Garry Tan. The firm gained recognition for its strategic investments in several successful startups, such as Coinbase, Instacart, and Patreon. Initialized Capital’s reputation grew as it continued to support innovative and promising companies in their early stages of development.
Alongside his other endeavors, Alexis helped launch Hipmunk, a travel search engine, in 2010. Hipmunk aimed to simplify the travel booking experience by offering a user-friendly interface. In addition, Alexis founded Breadpig in 2008, a social enterprise that supports creative projects and donates its profits to charitable causes. Breadpig has funded several initiatives, including the publication of books and the promotion of open-source projects.
As a partner at Y Combinator, a well-known startup accelerator, Alexis played a key role in mentoring and supporting numerous startups, helping them grow and thrive. Beyond his business accomplishments, Alexis has been an advocate for racial equity and workplace equality. In 2020, he stepped down from Reddit’s board to encourage the company to replace him with a Black candidate. Alexis also advocates for paid family leave, inspired by his own experience as a father, and remains active in supporting diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Hobbies And Personal Challenges
Alexis has a strong interest in music, especially Metallica, whose songs have greatly influenced him. He also enjoys listening to Kendrick Lamar. In sports, he co-founded Angel City FC, a professional women’s soccer team, and is involved in sports ownership. He enjoys reading and frequently shares book recommendations with others. Alexis also loves traveling, a passion he developed from his father, who was a travel agent.
In terms of personal challenges, Alexis has discussed the difficulty of balancing his career with being a father. He highlights the importance of being present for his daughters. He also shares parenting advice he received from his father, focusing on showing empathy and understanding.
Net Worth
As of 2025, Alexis Ohanian’s net worth is estimated at approximately $150 million. His wealth stems from his successful ventures in the tech industry, including co-founding Reddit and Initialized Capital, along with his investments in several startups.
Major Achievements
Alexis Ohanian has reached many significant milestones throughout his career. Here are some of his key achievements:
Major Achievements:
- Co-founded Reddit: In 2005, Alexis co-founded Reddit with Steve Huffman and Aaron Swartz. The platform rapidly became one of the most influential social media websites.
- Initialized Capital: In 2011, Alexis co-founded Initialized Capital, a venture capital firm that focuses on early-stage investments, supporting successful startups like Coinbase and Instacart.
- Hipmunk: In 2010, Alexis helped launch Hipmunk, a travel search engine.
- Breadpig: He founded Breadpig, a social enterprise that supports creative projects and donates its profits to charity.
- Y Combinator: Alexis was a partner at Y Combinator, a well-known startup accelerator, where he provided mentorship and guidance to several startups.
- Advocacy for Diversity: In 2020, Alexis stepped down from Reddit’s board to advocate for racial equity in tech, encouraging the company to replace him with a Black candidate.
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