Reid Hoffman, the iconic entrepreneur, author, and investor, has a net worth of $3 billion in 2024. Known primarily as the co-founder of LinkedIn, Hoffman has been one of the most influential figures in shaping the modern tech ecosystem. At 56 years old, the Silicon Valley titan has not only transformed how professionals connect online but has also left a powerful mark as a venture capitalist and thought leader in innovation.
Early Life and Education
Born August 5, 1967, in Palo Alto, California, Reid Garrett Hoffman grew up in Berkeley in a family deeply rooted in academia. His father, William Parker Hoffman Jr., and mother, Deanna Ruth, encouraged intellectual exploration. At just 12 years old, Hoffman earned his first paycheck editing games for Chaosium, an Oakland-based tabletop gaming company.
His curiosity led him to the Putney School in Vermont, where he studied epistemology and even tapped maple syrup. He later enrolled at Stanford University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in cognitive science and symbolic systems. Furthering his education, he earned a Master of Studies in philosophy at Oxford’s Wolfson College in 1993.
Early Career: From Apple to PayPal
Hoffman initially worked at Apple Computer, where he contributed to projects in online communication. He later moved to Fujitsu before taking the entrepreneurial leap. In 1997, he co-founded SocialNet.com, an early social networking site focused on dating and professional connections. Though it ultimately failed, it laid the groundwork for his future success.
By 2000, Hoffman joined PayPal as Chief Operating Officer, overseeing international business, legal partnerships, and payment infrastructure. He played a crucial role in securing relationships with financial giants like Visa, MasterCard, Wells Fargo, and Intuit. Hoffman also helped orchestrate PayPal’s sale to eBay, which became a key milestone in his business journey.
LinkedIn: Building a Business Network Empire
In late 2002, Hoffman co-founded LinkedIn with former colleagues and friends. The platform officially launched in May 2003, positioning itself as one of the first professional social networks. Unlike consumer-driven platforms, LinkedIn targeted career professionals, recruiters, and companies looking for talent.
As the founding CEO, Hoffman led the platform for four years before stepping into roles as chairman and later executive chairman in 2009. In 2011, LinkedIn went public, and Hoffman’s ownership stake was valued at $2.34 billion at the time.
The company’s most significant financial moment came in 2016, when Microsoft acquired LinkedIn for $29 billion. At the time of the sale, Hoffman held 14.5 million shares, earning roughly $2.8 billion pre-tax from the deal. The acquisition solidified LinkedIn’s role as the dominant force in professional networking while substantially boosting Hoffman’s net worth.
Investing and Greylock Partners
Reid Hoffman is considered one of Silicon Valley’s most successful angel investors. In 2010, he joined Greylock Partners, a prestigious venture capital firm, where he focuses on investments in software, consumer platforms, and social networks.
His investment portfolio includes Airbnb, Facebook, Zynga, Digg, Edmodo, Blockstream, Coda, Swipely, Tagged, and Neeva, among dozens of others. He also has a strong interest in transportation startups, backing companies like Nuro, Aurora, Joby Aviation, and Convoy.
Hoffman’s philosophy as an investor centers on network effects, founder vision, and long-term value creation. His early investment in Facebook—before it exploded into a global giant—demonstrates his uncanny ability to recognize transformative potential early on.
Co-Founding Inflection AI
In addition to his work with LinkedIn and Greylock, Hoffman co-founded Inflection AI, a company focused on building next-generation artificial intelligence software. The firm is part of the wave of AI startups aiming to push the boundaries of conversational intelligence and machine learning applications in real-world business scenarios.
Public Speaking and Education
Hoffman is also a sought-after speaker, regularly appearing at TED Talks, TechCrunch Disrupt, Bloomberg Equality Summit, and XPrize Foundation conferences. He lectures at top universities like Stanford, Harvard, MIT, and Oxford, offering insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, and ethics in technology.
Author and Podcast Host
As an author, Hoffman has co-written several bestsellers:
- The Start-Up of You (2012), with Ben Casnocha
- The Alliance (2014), with Casnocha and Chris Yeh
- Blitzscaling (2018), with Chris Yeh
Each book explores different facets of modern business, from building careers to managing teams and scaling ventures.
In 2017, he launched the podcast “Masters of Scale”, where he discusses business theories with founders and CEOs from across industries. Guests have included Sara Blakely, Brian Chesky, Tory Burch, and Stacy Brown-Philpot, with episodes reaching millions of listeners.
Personal Life and Philanthropy
Reid Hoffman married Michelle Yee in 2004. The couple currently resides in Seattle, Washington. Despite his immense wealth, Hoffman lives relatively modestly compared to other billionaires.
He’s a committed philanthropist and serves on the boards of nonprofit organizations like Kiva, New America, and Endeavor. He’s also a major backer of OpenAI, Code for America, and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.
In the political space, he co-founded FWD.us, a pro-immigration lobbying group. He’s also contributed to Mayday PAC and Democratic candidates like David Chiu and Matt Dunne.
