Tech founder and venture capitalist Alexis Ohanian embraces disruption, beginning with his Waffle House epiphany that becoming an attorney was not his destiny to co-founding Reddit in his UVA dorm and launching the venture upon graduation. Ultimately selling the iconic company for millions, Ohanian’s entrepreneurial journey is a business school case study and playbook for founders.
Ohanian is a vocal advocate for the open internet, STEM education, and paid family leave. He has lobbied on Capitol Hill and penned a New York Times op-ed, “Paternity Leave Was Crucial After The Birth of My Child, and Every Father Deserves It.” Ohanian also launched the Business Dad podcast, where he interviews fellow fathers about what it means to be a dad in today’s world and how they balance their careers and families.
If you expect Ohanian’s speeches to offer the formula for uncontested success, you would be surprised. Driven by curiosity and questions (not a well-designed strategy), Ohanian lessons are transparent admissions of beta failures.
His stories – punctuated with humility and humor – share the discoveries that shaped his worldview and an unrelenting commitment to make the world a better place – without permission.Alexis Ohanian was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. and grew up in the suburbs of Baltimore, M.D. He wrote the national bestselling book Without Their Permission and has been a vocal advocate for the open internet, STEM education and paid family leave.
Out of college, Ohanian co-founded Reddit, one of the largest websites in the U.S., which was funded by Y Combinator in 2005 and sold to Conde Nast in 2006. He returned as executive chairman in 2014 to help lead the turnaround of the now independent company that today is valued at over $10B. In 2016, he left Reddit to run the venture capital firm he co-founded, Initialized Capital, and built it to $100B in market value through early investments in companies like Coinbase, Opendoor, Instacart, Patreon, and Ro.
In 2020, Ohanian resigned from the Reddit board in protest and left his role at Initialized Capital to launch Seven Seven Six, a new firm built like a technology company that deploys venture capital. Since launch, Seven Seven Six has quickly grown its total assets under management to over $769M and has been at the forefront of emerging technologies and trends, leading competitive investments in companies across sectors including software, crypto, healthtech, food tech, climate tech, and space tech.
In 2022, Ohanian launched the Seven Seven Six Foundation to support marginalized individuals and announced a $20M commitment to climate action through his new Seven Seven Six Fellowship Program. The Seven Seven Six Fellowship Program is a two-year program for motivated young people who want to build a better future—now. To kickstart their world-changing idea, each Fellow will receive a $100,000 grant and support from the Seven Seven Six Foundation’s network of founders, investors, and partners. The inaugural cohort will consist of 20 Fellows.
Ohanian is also the lead founding investor in the LA-based professional women’s soccer team, Angel City Football Club. Ohanian has a B.A. in History and a B.S. in Commerce from the University of Virginia.
In order to view the below you must be logged in.
In the realm of professional emcees, there are few who embody the essence of warmth, authenticity, and charisma quite like Melanie Lawson. With a career spanning over two decades in the television industry, Melanie has not only garnered acclaim as an Emmy Award-winning journalist but has also established herself as a sought-after professional emcee, moderator, […]
For Urs Koenig, challenging people to help them achieve top performance and bringing transformation is at the heart of everything he does. His journey has been non-traditional at every step. After his highly successful skiing career, he coached the Swiss University Ski Team and won numerous championships worldwide. Always eager to challenge himself as well […]
Colin Cloud, often referred to as the “real-life Sherlock Holmes,” is a mentalist, magician, and comedian who leaves audiences spellbound with his extraordinary abilities. Renowned for his uncanny knack for mind reading and deduction, Colin has a unique talent for blending his skills in magic and mentalism with a sharp sense of humor. His performances […]
Mark Divine stands as a beacon of resilience, leadership, and mental toughness in the realm of personal development and leadership training. As the founder and CEO of SEALFIT, a renowned leadership and peak performance academy, Mark has dedicated his life to empowering individuals to unleash their full potential. With his multifaceted background as a former […]
Jim O Neill is a distinguished economist and former Commercial Secretary to the UK Treasury, recognized globally for his significant contributions to economic research and policy. Serving in the UK Treasury from 2015 to 2016, O’Neill played a pivotal role in shaping economic strategy during a critical period for the UK. His deep understanding of […]
Linda Bernardi is a trailblazer in the world of innovation, renowned for her unique vision and unwavering commitment to disrupting the status quo. As an “innovation provocateur,” Linda helps organizations break free from their comfort zones, challenge conventional wisdom, and shatter outdated paradigms. Her mission is to drive the creation of market-changing products, services, and […]
Dr. Thom Mayer is an internationally recognized expert in leadership, crisis management, and emergency medicine. As the Medical Director for the NFL Players Association, he has played a pivotal role in managing some of the most high-profile challenges in professional sports, including the NFL’s response to concussions and the COVID-19 pandemic. His ability to lead […]
With years of experience in media and broadcasting, Juliette Vara is a seasoned emcee who brings unparalleled expertise to every event she hosts. From intimate charity gatherings to massive corporate conferences, Juliette has captivated audiences of all sizes, ensuring each event is memorable, engaging, and seamlessly executed. Juliette Vara | Professional Emcee Juliette Vara’s journey […]
No results available
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.
All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.
Our Mission:
© All rights reserved 2025. Designed using Voxel