Reid Hoffman
TL;DR Reid Hoffman is a visionary entrepreneur, investor, and author whose influence spans the technology, business, and social innovation sectors, shaping how people connect, work, and think about the future of AI and human collaboration.
Reid Hoffman by Sora
Reid Hoffman is an American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, author, and thought leader widely regarded as one of Silicon Valley’s most influential figures. Best known as the co-founder of LinkedIn, Hoffman has spent his career building and investing in platforms that foster human and professional connections. His blend of philosophical insight and practical business acumen has made him a key voice in discussions about technology, ethics, and the rise of artificial intelligence.
Born in Palo Alto, California, in 1967, Hoffman studied Symbolic Systems at Stanford University and later earned a Master’s degree in Philosophy from Oxford University. Early in his career, he joined Apple and later Fujitsu before becoming part of the founding team at PayPal, where he served as an executive vice president. After PayPal’s acquisition by eBay, he launched LinkedIn in 2002, creating a professional networking ecosystem that transformed global career development and recruitment.
Beyond entrepreneurship, Hoffman became a partner at Greylock Partners, where he has backed some of Silicon Valley's most successful startups, including Airbnb, Convoy, and Aurora. He’s also a prolific author and podcaster, known for works such as The Start-Up of You and Masters of Scale, where he explores the mindset and methods behind building enduring companies.
In recent years, Hoffman has taken a leading role in AI research and ethics, supporting initiatives such as OpenAI and contributing to the debate over how society can harness artificial intelligence for the collective good.
Co-founder of LinkedIn, one of the world’s largest professional networking platforms
Early executive at PayPal, part of the influential “PayPal Mafia” of tech innovators
Partner at Greylock Partners, investing in major companies including Airbnb and Convoy
Author of bestselling books including The Start-Up of You, The Alliance, and Blitzscaling
Host of the acclaimed Masters of Scale podcast
Board member and advisor to Microsoft and OpenAI
Advocate for ethical AI and social impact through technology
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Reid Hoffman’s career spans entrepreneurship, venture capital, philanthropy, and deep involvement in AI, giving him a uniquely multidimensional perspective on how AI will shape society. His early work at PayPal exposed him to the challenges of building secure, scalable digital systems. Founding LinkedIn taught him how technology influences networks, reputation, and human opportunity on a global scale. As a partner at Greylock, he has spent years evaluating and supporting companies that push the boundaries of innovation, giving him a front-row seat to both the promise and pitfalls of emerging tech.
His role as an advisor and board member at Microsoft and OpenAI places him at the forefront of frontier AI development, where he sees firsthand how these models evolve and can be responsibly deployed. Combined with his writing and public conversations about entrepreneurship and ethics, Hoffman approaches AI not just as a technical revolution, but as a social contract. He believes AI should expand human potential, strengthen institutions, and empower individuals, and he advocates for systems that balance bold innovation with safeguards that protect society.
In short, his experience across business building, investment, ethics, and AI research creates a holistic viewpoint: he understands both the mechanisms that accelerate technological progress and the responsibilities required to ensure that progress benefits everyone.
