Alexis Ohanian

Alexis Ohanian – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Discover the inspiring journey of Alexis Ohanian, American internet entrepreneur and investor. Learn about his early life, co-founding Reddit, venture investing, activism, legacy, and memorable quotes.

Introduction

Alexis Kerry Ohanian Sr. (born April 24, 1983) is an American entrepreneur, investor, and internet activist, best known as the co-founder and former executive chairman of Reddit. Initialized Capital, the travel site Hipmunk, and the social enterprise Breadpig. He is also known for promoting open internet policies and advocating for underrepresented founders.

Ohanian’s story is one of taking risks, building community, and leveraging influence to shape technology and social progress.

Early Life and Family

Alexis Ohanian was born in Brooklyn, New York City on April 24, 1983.

His paternal grandparents came to the U.S. as refugees of the Armenian Genocide, and his mother was a German immigrant.

He attended Howard High School in Ellicott City, Maryland.

Growing up, Ohanian had early enthusiasm for computers. In middle school, he used a dial-up modem and spent time learning programming, tinkering with hardware, and building websites for nonprofits.

Education and the “Waffle House Epiphany”

Ohanian enrolled at the University of Virginia, where he studied commerce and history, and graduated in 2005.

Interestingly, early on he had considered a different path: in his junior year, he took an LSAT prep course for law school, but decided he did not want to become a lawyer. In that moment, he reportedly walked out of the test, went to a Waffle House, and had what he called the “Waffle House Epiphany”—he realized he wanted to build something impactful rather than pursue a legal career.

This turning point helped clarify his ambition: to make a serious dent in the world through technology and entrepreneurship.

Career & Achievements

Founding Reddit

After graduating, Alexis Ohanian and his college roommate Steve Huffman pitched MyMobileMenu to the startup accelerator Y Combinator (YC). Although that idea was rejected, YC encouraged them to come back with a different idea. Reddit, with the vision of making the “front page of the Internet.”

Reddit joined Y Combinator’s initial batch, and shortly afterward, in 2006, Reddit was acquired by Condé Nast for a reported sum between $10–20 million.

Ohanian remained involved with Reddit, serving on its board and ultimately returning to a leadership role in 2015 when Reddit became independent again.

Other Ventures & Investments

Beyond Reddit, Ohanian has a track record of founding and investing in startups:

• Initialized Capital – A venture capital firm co-founded by Ohanian in 2010, which has backed companies such as Instacart, Zenefits, Opendoor, and Cruise.

• Hipmunk – A travel search startup that Ohanian helped launch.

• Breadpig – A “geeky merchandise” enterprise whose profits are donated to charity.

• 776 (Seven Seven Six) – In June 2021, Ohanian co-founded this firm as his next major venture after reducing his direct involvement at Initialized.

Another notable investment direction has been women’s sports. Ohanian was a lead investor in launching Angel City FC, a National Women’s Soccer League team, and in 2025 acquired a 10 % stake in Chelsea Women FC.

Activism & Public Policy

Ohanian has also been active in advocacy for an open Internet and digital rights. He was vocal in the fight against the SOPA and PIPA bills in 2010–2012, helped organize protests, and lobbied to preserve net neutrality.

He also speaks frequently about diversity in tech, creating pathways for underrepresented founders, and challenging status quo structures.

Legacy and Influence

• Technology & Community Builder: As co-founder of Reddit, Ohanian contributed significantly to one of the most influential online communities, shaping how people consume, discuss, and share content.

• Investor & Mentor: Through Initialized and 776, he has supported early-stage startups and empowered founders, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds.

• Voice for Open Internet: His public stance on net neutrality and internet freedoms positions him among leading tech activists of his generation.

• Champion for Equality and Representation: His decision to relinquish his Reddit board seat to a Black candidate, and his investments in women’s sports, reflect a commitment to structural equity.

• Inspirer of Future Entrepreneurs: The “Waffle House Epiphany” anecdote and his emphasis on action over ideas resonate with aspiring founders.

Personality, Values & Approach

Alexis Ohanian is often described as curious, idealistic, and bold. He embraces the tension between building scalable tech and uplifting people. He is not afraid of admitting mistakes or changing direction.

He believes that ideas must be executed, not just admired, and that genuine impact requires risk, grit, and empathy. He frequently talks about staying “hungry,” continuing to learn, and using his resources to “make the world suck less.”

Though a public figure, he also emphasizes balance: being present for family, maintaining health, and grounding ambition in values.

Famous Quotes by Alexis Ohanian

Here are some memorable quotes that reflect his worldview, values, and entrepreneurial spirit:

• “We don’t even realize something is broken until someone else shows us a better way.”

• “Find people who give a damn; hire them; repeat.”

• “When sharing anything you’ve created with the world, you have to assume at the start that no one gives a damn about it.”

• “Being effective at social media, whether for business or personal use, means capturing people who have short attention spans … you have to make your thing more compelling than that cat.”

• “My junior year, I went to an LSAT-prep course. I flipped over my test … I walked out … That’s where I had what I call the ‘Waffle House Epiphany’: I didn’t want to be a lawyer. I wanted to make a dent in the universe.”

• “I want to stay hungry. I really believe my resources are best used to help projects that make the world suck less.”

• “It takes discipline not to let social media steal your time.”

• “Our competition has always been anything that is wasting your time when you’re bored at work … we want people to come to Reddit to find out what’s new and interesting online … because they usually do this when they should be working …”

These quotes offer glimpses into his philosophy on creation, community, discipline, and purpose.

Lessons from Alexis Ohanian

1. Action beats perfection: An idea is only as good as its execution.

2. Build with empathy: Technology must serve people, not the other way around.

3. Use your success to uplift others: He reinvests in founders, women’s sports, and equity initiatives.

4. Be willing to relinquish power for justice: His stepping down for representation is a rare public act of structural humility.

5. Maintain balance and intentionality: Ambition matters, but so do values, health, and relationships.

Conclusion

Alexis Ohanian is more than a technologist or investor — he is a builder of communities, a champion of fairness, and a voice for progressive change in the digital era. From the Waffle House to Reddit’s global influence, his journey underscores that success derives not from talent alone but from courage, conviction, and consistent action.

Dive deeper into his writings, podcast interviews, and speeches to continue learning from the mindset behind one of modern tech’s influential voices.