This Week in Startups E1069: Alexis Ohanian on Reddit’s crypto origins, turning VC into a team sport at Initialized, improving as an investor, fatherhood & more
Jun 3, 2020
Alexis Ohanian, co-founder of Reddit and Initialized Capital, shares insights on his journey in tech and venture capital. He discusses Reddit's comeback after its acquisition, highlighting innovative features like Reddit Gold and exploring the future of micropayments. Alexis emphasizes the importance of community and balancing work with family life as a 'Girl Dad.' He also elaborates on his role in transforming venture capital into a collaborative environment, improving his investor skills, and navigating the challenges of celebrity status in both personal and professional realms.
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Reddit's Journey
- Alexis Ohanian co-founded Reddit in 2005 and sold it for $10 million 18 months later.
- He later returned as executive chairman to lead a turnaround, growing it from 40 employees to hundreds and increasing its valuation to multi-billions.
Reddit's Success Factors
- Reddit's success is attributed to threaded comments, voting, and user ownership of communities.
- These features fostered community and growth even when the product didn't evolve for years.
Reddit Gold Inspiration
- Reddit Gold, inspired by Fark's TotalFark subscriptions, was an early experiment in virtual currency.
- It allowed users to support the site and gift subscriptions to others, fostering community engagement.