Reid Hoffman Biography and Wikipedia
Reid Hoffman is a prominent American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and author, widely recognized as the co-founder of LinkedIn, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the professional networking landscape. Born on August 5, 1967, in Palo Alto, California, he graduated from Stanford University in 1990 with a Bachelor’s degree in Symbolic Systems and Cognitive Science. He later earned a Master of Studies in Philosophy from Oxford University’s Wolfson College in 1993 through a Marshall Scholarship. Hoffman’s early career included working at Apple in 1994 on the eWorld project and founding SocialNet.com in 1997, an early social networking platform focused on online dating. He went on to join PayPal in 2000 as Senior VP of Business Development, where he helped guide the company’s significant growth.
Age and Birthday
Reid Hoffman was born in Palo Alto, California, on August 5, 1967. He is 57 years old as of 2025 and is set to celebrate his 58th birthday on August 5, 2025.
Height and Weight
Reid Hoffman is approximately 6 feet 1 inch tall (184 cm) and weighs around 88 kilograms (197 pounds).
Education Background
Reid Hoffman studied at Stanford University, graduating in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in Symbolic Systems and Cognitive Science. Thanks to a Marshall Scholarship, he continued his education at Wolfson College, Oxford, where he earned a Master of Studies in Philosophy in 1993.
Nationality
Reid Hoffman is an American citizen, born in Palo Alto, California, United States.
Significant Contributions and Recognition
Reid Hoffman has made profound contributions to the tech industry, entrepreneurship, and venture capital. Here are some of his most significant achievements:
Tech & Business Contributions
Co-founder of LinkedIn (2002): Built the world’s leading professional networking platform, later acquired by Microsoft for $26.2 billion in 2016.
Early PayPal Executive: Drove PayPal’s expansion as Senior VP of Business Development, playing a vital role in developing its payment system.
Venture Capital Leadership: Serves as a partner at Greylock Partners, where he has invested in major tech companies such as Airbnb, Facebook, and Zynga.
AI Innovation: Helped launch Inflection AI, a company focused on advancing artificial intelligence technologies.
Recognition & Influence
Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship: Honored for advancing innovation and business on an international scale.
Golden Plate Award (American Academy of Achievement): Celebrated for his groundbreaking work in technology and entrepreneurship.
Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE): Commended for his impact on business and philanthropic efforts.
Best-Selling Author: Authored widely influential books like The Startup of You and Blitzscaling, offering key insights for entrepreneurs.
Career
Reid Hoffman began his professional journey at Apple in 1994, where he contributed to the development of eWorld, an early online service that aimed to connect users digitally. Although the service was eventually acquired by AOL, Hoffman gained valuable experience in the emerging tech landscape. In 1997, he took a bold step by founding SocialNet.com, one of the first social networking platforms that focused on online dating and interest-based communities. This venture showcased his foresight into how people could connect online, well before social media became mainstream.
In 2000, Hoffman joined PayPal as the Senior Vice President of Business Development. In this role, he played a crucial part in shaping the company’s payment infrastructure, helping it grow into one of the most significant digital payment systems of the time. His strategic vision and business acumen contributed to PayPal’s success, solidifying his reputation as a forward-thinking leader in tech and finance.
In 2002, Hoffman co-founded LinkedIn, which would go on to become the world’s leading professional networking platform. Under his leadership, LinkedIn grew rapidly, went public in 2011, and was ultimately acquired by Microsoft for $26.2 billion in 2016. The platform transformed how professionals connect and share opportunities, becoming an indispensable tool for global business networking.
Building on his success, Hoffman joined Greylock Partners in 2009 as a partner, where he invested in some of the most influential tech companies, including Airbnb, Facebook, and Zynga. In recent years, he also co-founded Inflection AI and Manas AI, two ventures focused on advancing artificial intelligence. Through these initiatives, Hoffman continues to influence the direction of innovation and shape the future of technology.
Wife
Reid Hoffman has been married to Michelle Yee since 2004, and the couple shares a deep commitment to philanthropy and social impact. Michelle Yee, a skilled photographer, actively contributes to various charitable efforts and serves on the boards of multiple non-profit organizations.
Net worth
As of 2025, Reid Hoffman’s net worth is estimated at $2.5 billion. He built his fortune largely through co-founding LinkedIn, which Microsoft acquired for $26.2 billion in 2016, along with strategic investments in major companies such as Airbnb, Facebook, and Zynga.
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