Key Facts About Alexis Ohanian
- He’s an online entrepreneur and investor.
- He was born on April 24, 1983, in New York.
- Alexis Kerry Ohanian is his full name.
- He identifies as a Christian.
- He launched 776 in June 2021.
- His wife is former tennis star Serena Williams.
- Harley and Carly Ohanian are his two sisters.
- Alexis Olympia Ohanian is his daughter.
- His father is Armenian, and his mother is German.
- Forbes estimates he’s worth $70 million.
Who is Alexis Ohanian?
Alexis Ohanian is a successful American entrepreneur and investor in the online space. In addition to Steve Huffman and Aaron Swartz, he is widely recognized as the brains behind and executive chairman of the popular social news and discussion website Reddit. Not only did he help launch the travel search website Hipmunk, but he also founded the social enterprise Breadpig and was a co-founder of the early-stage venture capital firm Initialized Capital. He also worked at Y Combinator as a partner there.
Alexis Ohanian was born in Brooklyn, New York, on April 24, 1983. Specifically, his full name is Alexis Kerry Ohanian. He and his family (wife Serena Williams, former tennis player, and daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian) make their home in Florida. He has a net worth of $70 million in 2019, according to Forbes.
Canadian rapper Drake’s new album features a track called “Middle of the Ocean,” in which he obliquely attacks Alexis Ohanian and his wife, Serena Williams. Alexis Ohanian was branded as a “groupie” by him. Rapper Drake wrote in the song’s lyrics, “Sidebar, Serena, your husband a groupie… He claim we don’t got a problem but…No, boo, it is like you comin’ for sushi.” Alexis tweeted in response, “The reason I stay winning is because I’m relentless about being the absolute best at whatever I do — including being the best groupie for my wife & daughter.” Serena Williams then replied to Alexis’s message with a string of heart emojis.
Alexis Ohanian opposed the Stop Online Piracy Act and PROTECT IP Act in 2010 and 2011. He led the Internet-based movement that repealed the bills. Alexis Ohanian testified to Congress, helped lead anti-SOPA/PIPA rallies on January 18, 2012, and spoke at a NY Tech Meetup rally. Alexis Ohanian and Erik Martin travelled on the Internet 2012 Bus Tour from Denver, Colorado, to Danville, Kentucky, to push for an open Internet during the presidential and vice presidential debates. One campaign stop inspired a “National Geek Day” in D.C. Alexis Ohanian was designated one of the top 10 most influential activists of 2012 by The Daily Dot and Forbes Magazine. Alexis Ohanian began lobbying the FCC for net neutrality in May 2014, culminating in a day-long phone-a-thon on January 15, 2015.
Alexis Ohanian Early Life
Alexis Ohanian was born in Brooklyn, which is located in the state of New York. Following the Armenian genocide, his paternal grandparents fled to the United States, where they settled down and raised their family. His mother was of German ancestry.
Alexis Ohanian Education
Alexis Ohanian attended Howard High School in Ellicott City, Maryland, and at the time of his graduation in 2001, he was selected to deliver the student address to his fellow classmates. In 2005, he received degrees in both history and commerce from the University of Virginia, where he studied.
Alexis Ohanian Career
Alexis Ohanian’s tech interest began in middle school with a 33.6k modem. On discussion forums, he learned to code and design websites. Eventually, he began making websites for nonprofits for free, “tricking” them by hiding behind his email to mask the fact that he was an adolescent doing this from his parent’s basement. After college, Alexis Ohanian and Steve Huffman pitched Y Combinator MyMobileMenu. The corporation rejected the idea but urged the duo to pitch another one. Reddit.com was created to be the “front page of the Internet.”
Reddit joined Y-first Combinator’s round of start-ups in 2005 and was eventually acquired by Condé Nast for $10 million to $20 million. Alexis Ohanian remained a Reddit board member. Alexis Ohanian returned to Reddit full-time in July 2015 to manage the company. In February 2018, he resigned to focus on investment. Alexis Ohanian founded Breadpig, a “uncorporation” that donates revenues to charity, in 2007. Since 2012, he no longer runs Breadpig.
Alexis Ohanian talked about Mister Splashy Pants at TED in 2009. Alexis Ohanian was a Kiva fellow in Yerevan, Armenia, after leaving Reddit in 2010. Alexis Ohanian co-founded Hipmunk in 2010 and is currently an adviser. Alexis Ohanian launched Das Kapital Capital in June 2010 to invest, advise, and consult start-ups. Y Combinator dubbed Alexis Ohanian “Ambassador to the East.” He meets East Coast applicants, coaches New York YC entrepreneurs, and represents the company. Before quitting Y Combinator in 2016 to build the third Initialized Capital fund alongside Garry Tan, he was a part-time and full-time partner.
Alexis Ohanian resigned from Reddit’s board on June 5, 2020, in response to George Floyd’s murder. Michael Seibel, an African-American entrepreneur, joined Reddit on June 10, 2020. Alexis Ohanian is the lead investor of a primarily female consortium that was awarded a new NWSL franchise on July 21, 2020. Angel City FC debuted in 2022. The majority-female ownership group comprises 14 former U.S. women’s national team members, Natalie Portman, and many more actors, artists, media celebrities, and athletes, including Alexis Ohanian’s wife, Serena Williams. Alexis Ohanian left Initialized in 2020. Alexis Ohanian unveiled a new VC firm, “776,” in June 2021.
Alexis Ohanian co-founded Initialized Capital in 2010 and invested in Instacart, Zenefits, Opendoor, and Cruise. It manages three $500 million funds. Alexis Ohanian ranked first for network centrality, the range of relationships an investor has with other investors in the ecosystem, and the quality and depth of those links. Alexis Ohanian spent $3 million in 2019 in Kinside. Alexis Ohanian funded $4 million in Dispo in 2020. Alexis Ohanian invested $10 million in social platform pearpop in April 2021, together with $6 million from Bessemer Venture Partners, Sound Ventures, Slow Ventures and other celebrities.
Alexis Ohanian Ethnicity
Alexis Ohanian has both Armenian and German roots in his family tree.
Alexis Ohanian Parents
Alexis Ohanian’s mother, Anke Ohanian, is German, and his father, Chris Ohanian, is Armenian.
Alexis Ohanian Siblings
Harley Ohanian and Carly Ohanian are Alexis Ohanian’s two sisters.
Alexis Ohanian Religion
Alexis Ohanian holds a more moderate view on Christianity.
Alexis Ohanian Wife
Alexis Ohanian is married to Serena Williams, a former tennis great.
Alexis Ohanian Children
Alexis Olympia Ohanian is Alexis Ohanian’s daughter, and she shares her father’s name.
Alexis Ohanian Social Media
On both Twitter and Instagram, Alexis Ohanian can be found posting under the account @alexisohanian. In addition to that, you can find him on YouTube and LinkedIn under the names “Alexis Ohanian” and “Alexis Ohanian Sr.” respectively.
Alexis Ohanian Net Worth
Forbes estimates that Alexis Ohanian’s net worth is more than $70 million at the present time.