The Journey of Alexis Kerry Ohanian: Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Family
The Journey of Alexis Kerry Ohanian:
Origins and Early Life
Alexis Kerry Ohanian, born on April 24, 1983, in Brooklyn, New York City, hails
from a family shaped by resilience and diverse heritage. His paternal
grandparents fled the Armenian Genocide, while his mother immigrated from
Germany, giving him a multicultural background. Ohanian attended Howard High
School in Ellicott City, Maryland, graduating in 2001 as the student speaker,
foreshadowing his future as an influential entrepreneur and innovator.
From Basement Coder to Tech Visionary
Ohanian’s fascination with technology began in middle school with a 33.6k
dial-up modem. Spending countless hours on message boards, he learned coding
and web development, offering his skills to nonprofits while hiding his
activities in his parents’ basement. After earning degrees in commerce and
history from the University of Virginia in 2005, Ohanian, with friend Steve
Huffman, launched a startup called MyMobileMenu. Though initially rejected by Y
Combinator, this venture laid the groundwork for Reddit, designed to
become the “front page of the Internet.” Reddit quickly gained momentum,
joining Y Combinator’s first batch in 2005 and being acquired by Condé Nast in
2006. Ohanian remained actively involved, returning full-time in 2015 before
stepping back in 2018 to focus on investing and advocacy.
Entrepreneurial Ventures and Philanthropy
Parallel to Reddit, Ohanian co-founded Breadpig in 2007, a philanthropic
merchandise venture, and the travel search platform Hipmunk. He also
founded Das Kapital Capital and contributed as a Y Combinator partner. A
champion of diversity and inclusion, he resigned from Reddit’s board in 2020 to
make space for a Black candidate, emphasizing social justice. Ohanian also led
an investment group to acquire a National Women’s Soccer League franchise in
2020, reinforcing his commitment to equality and empowerment.
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Initialized Capital: Investing in Innovation
In 2010, Ohanian co-founded Initialized Capital, a venture capital firm
specializing in early-stage startups. The firm has backed companies such as
Instacart, Zenefits, Opendoor, and Cruise, managing over $500 million across
three funds. CB Insights ranked him number one in 2014 for network centrality,
recognizing his influence in the tech industry. Ohanian’s investments also
include $3 million in childcare startup Kinside (2019) and $4 million in
Dispo (2020), reflecting his focus on socially impactful and innovative
ventures.
Advocacy for a Free and Open Internet
Ohanian has been a vocal supporter of internet freedom. In 2010–2011, he
actively opposed the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the PROTECT IP
Act, helping to overturn both bills. Dubbed the “Mayor of the Internet” by Forbes,
he organized national protests and lobbying campaigns, including the 2012 Internet
Bus Tour with Reddit GM Erik Martin. His activism extended to net
neutrality and culminated in a nationwide FCC and Congress phone-a-thon in
2015, highlighting his ongoing dedication to an open web.
Family Life and Advocacy for Paternity Leave
Ohanian married tennis legend Serena Williams on November 16, 2017,
after their engagement on December 29, 2016. Their first daughter, Alexis
Olympia Ohanian, was born in September 2017, followed by their second
daughter, Adira River, in August 2023. Parenthood inspired Ohanian to
advocate for paternity leave, sharing his personal experiences in The New
York Times and pushing for federal paid family leave legislation,
emphasizing bipartisan support for family-centered policies.
Climate Activism and Youth Empowerment
Since 2022, Ohanian has championed climate action through grants for young
innovators under 24, modeled after the Thiel Fellowship. The program awards
$100,000 over two years to 20 fellows annually, encouraging them to leave
school and focus on combating climate change through research,
entrepreneurship, or activism. This initiative demonstrates his commitment to
nurturing the next generation of environmental leaders.
Recognition and Influence
Ohanian has been recognized for his contributions to technology, innovation,
and societal change. He appeared on Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2011 and 2012,
was celebrated as a “champion of innovation” in Wired’s 20th Anniversary
issue, included in Crain’s 40 Under 40 (2015), and named one of Fast
Company’s Most Creative People in Business (2016). He delivered the Johns
Hopkins University Commencement address in 2020 and was honored as a Money
2023 Changemaker for his impact on finance and society.
Legacy
Alexis Ohanian’s career seamlessly intertwines technology, investment,
activism, and family advocacy. From co-founding Reddit to shaping the venture
capital landscape with Initialized Capital, championing internet freedom, and
promoting climate action, Ohanian exemplifies how entrepreneurship can drive
social change and leave a lasting impact on society.
