Samuel Harris Altman, born April 22, 1985, in Chicago, Illinois, is an American entrepreneur and investor known for his significant contributions to the tech industry. As a prominent figure in Silicon Valley, Altman has been influential in shaping the future of technology and startups.

Sam Altman / OpenAi

Profile Overview

Early Life and Education

Sam Altman grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, where he developed an early interest in programming after receiving a personal computer at the age of eight. He attended John Burroughs School and was later admitted to Stanford University for computer science, but dropped out in 2005. In 2017, he received an honorary degree from the University of Waterloo.

Career Highlights

Altman co-founded Loopt, a location-based social networking mobile application, at 19. He served as CEO and raised over $30 million in venture capital before its acquisition by Green Dot Corporation for $43.4 million. Altman was also the CEO of Reddit briefly in 2014. He became a partner at Y Combinator in 2011 and later its president in 2014, expanding the types of companies funded by YC. He played a crucial role in launching YC Research and YC Continuity. In 2020, Altman was appointed CEO of OpenAI.

Personal Achievements

Sam Altman has been recognized for his impactful work in the tech industry, including being named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world in 2023. His dedication to innovation and technology continues to inspire many in the field.

Disclaimer

This biography of Sam Altman is compiled for informational purposes. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, some details may not be current or comprehensive.