Julia Hartz

Julia Hartz – Life, Career, and Entrepreneurial Legacy

Explore the life and journey of Julia Hartz (born November 20, 1979), co-founder and CEO of Eventbrite. Discover her path from media executive to tech leader, her values, challenges, and lessons from her rise in the tech industry.

Introduction

Julia D. Hartz (born November 20, 1979) is a prominent American entrepreneur, investor, and executive, best known as the co-founder and current CEO of Eventbrite, a global event management and ticketing platform. Under her leadership, Eventbrite has grown from a small startup into a widely used platform powering events worldwide. Hartz’s journey is notable not only for her business success, but also for her navigation of leadership, culture, and resilience in a competitive tech landscape.

Early Life, Education & Family

Julia Hartz was born in Santa Cruz, California on November 20, 1979.

She attended Pepperdine University, from which she graduated in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunication.

Before entering the tech world, Hartz built a foundation in media and entertainment:

• She worked as a development executive at MTV, contributing to shows such as Jackass.

• Later, she joined FX Networks, where she worked on series including The Shield, Rescue Me, Nip/Tuck, and 30 Days.

Her media experience gave her insight into content, audiences, and the importance of connecting people—elements that would later underpin her vision for Eventbrite.

Hartz is married to Kevin Hartz (her former fiancé and co-founder of Eventbrite).
They have children and reside in the San Francisco Bay area.

Founding Eventbrite & Growth

Origin & Early Years

In 2006, Julia Hartz co-founded Eventbrite, along with Kevin Hartz and Renaud Visage.
The inspiration: to create a platform where anyone—from small community organizers to large venues—could create, promote, and sell tickets to events.

In its early days, Eventbrite was run from modest beginnings, with a self-service model emphasizing simplicity and accessibility.

Leadership & IPO

In April 2016, Hartz became CEO of Eventbrite, succeeding Kevin Hartz in that role.
In September 2018, Eventbrite went public, making her one of the relatively few women to lead a tech startup through an Initial Public Offering (IPO).

Under her stewardship, Eventbrite has scaled globally, serving millions of event creators across many countries.

Other Roles & Investments

Beyond her role at Eventbrite, Hartz is active in investing and governance:

• She invests in companies like Minted, Chairish, Tamara Mellon, and Color Genomics.

• She is on the boards of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and the UCSF Foundation (University of California, San Francisco).

• Hartz also serves on boards and contributes in roles aimed at culture, workplace excellence, and community.

Leadership Style, Culture & Challenges

Julia Hartz is often recognized not just for her business acumen, but also for her focus on culture, resilience, and values.

Emphasis on Culture & People

Under Hartz’s guidance, Eventbrite has received multiple workplace awards (e.g. “Best Places to Work”) and is often cited for its attention to culture, transparency, and employee experience.
She has spoken about the importance of building a mission-driven culture where people feel connected to purpose.

Navigating Crisis & Resilience

The COVID-19 pandemic posed a major existential challenge to a company whose business is centered around live events. Hartz led tough decisions, including staff reductions and pivoting strategies, while working to preserve the core of Eventbrite’s mission.
She has often spoken of the need to “pivot with purpose” and to keep sight of long-term vision even amid uncertainty.

Growth & Scaling

Hartz’s transition from cofounder to CEO required her to evolve her leadership: from hands-on founder to strategic executive. In interviews, she’s noted that the role of an entrepreneur changes as the organization grows.
She also faced the complexity of taking Eventbrite public—balancing investor expectations with mission, growth, and internal culture.

Recognition & Influence

Julia Hartz has garnered recognition in business and technology circles:

• Featured in Fortune’s 40 Under 40 and Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs lists.

• Named among Inc.’s Female Founders 100 and Inc.’s 35 Under 35.

• Recognized for her role in building a high-growth tech company led by a woman, breaking barriers in a male-dominated space.

She is also a vocal advocate for women in technology and leadership, frequently speaking at industry events and in media on those topics.

Selected Quotes & Insights

• In an interview, Hartz reflected: “It took me a long time to consider myself an entrepreneur.”

• She often emphasizes that success is not linear—that failures, pivots, and hard decisions are part of the journey.

• On culture and people: she has said that the most important part of growth is preserving identity—even as the organization scales. (Paraphrased from her public talks and interviews)

Lessons from Julia Hartz

1. Build from your strengths, then adapt
   Hartz’s background in media helped her understand human connection, content, and storytelling—skills she translated into a tech platform.

2. Leadership evolves with the organization
   Moving from founder to CEO requires shifting mindset, developing new skills, and letting others lead in areas as the company scales.

3. Culture is strategic, not incidental
   A strong culture is a competitive advantage especially in turbulent times; investing in people shows in performance and loyalty.

4. Be ready for adversity
   The pandemic exposed vulnerabilities; the ability to make hard choices while staying aligned to mission is crucial.

5. Representation matters
   Hartz’s path provides a role model for women in tech: leading a major tech company through its IPO is still relatively rare—and her presence helps open doors for others.

Conclusion

Julia Hartz’s story is one of curiosity, boldness, and perseverance. From a media executive to the helm of a global event platform, she has navigated challenges, scaled an ambitious business, and maintained a focus on culture and people. Her journey offers meaningful insights for entrepreneurs, leaders in tech, and anyone interested in how vision + values + resilience combine to build lasting impact.