Alexis Ohanian Sr. is a longtime entrepreneur and [startup](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-startup) enthusiast. As the cofounder of Reddit, he partnered with Y Combinator and Condé Nast to make the forum site what it is today. He also founded and served as a managing partner for Initialized Capital before moving on to start another [venture capital](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-venture-capitalist-explained) firm called Seven Seven Six.
Alexis Ohanian has lived an impactful life as a startup entrepreneur. Here are five facts worth knowing about him:

- __He’s an activist__. Alexis has always been a dedicated [social justice](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-social-justice) activist. During his tenure at Reddit, he helped spearhead multiple campaigns to make the site a more inclusive platform. After the murder of George Floyd in 2020, he stepped down from the company’s board to make way for a Black person to take his place.
- __He’s a paternity leave advocate__. After Alexis and his wife, Serena Williams, welcomed daughter Olympia Ohanian (Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.), Alexis became a bold advocate for paid family leave. He believes it’s essential for parents to spend as much time with their children as possible. 
- __He’s a podcaster__. In addition to building startups and running venture firms, Alexis has also made a major dent on the world of [podcasting](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-do-podcasts-work). Since the 2010s, he’s hosted multiple different series, including *Small Empires*, *Business Dad*, and *Upvoted*.
- __He’s a seed investor__. Alongside his own business ventures, Alexis has granted seed money to now landmark startups like Cruise, Instacart, and Opendoor. He’s since started dabbling with investments outside the tech world, too. For instance, he and other investors are co-owners of the Angel City Football Club soccer team.
- __He’s a second-generation immigrant__. In the wake of the Armenian genocide, Alexis’s grandparents migrated to the United States. His father remained undocumented for a portion of Alexis’s life as well. His heritage fuels him in his quest to create a more just, [inclusive](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/inclusive-leadership-explained), and equitable world.
Entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian has spent decades founding startups and building long-lasting tech companies. Here are five concepts you can expect him to discuss in his class:

1. __Becoming an entrepreneur__: Alexis believes there are key signs a person should become an entrepreneur. “If you really are lying awake at night thinking about this,” he says, “if it really is the first thing you wake up to in the morning, you probably are the kind of person who should be doing this.” 
2. __Developing a solutions mindset__: You need to have a knack for [problem-solving](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/creative-problem-solving) and an insatiable sense of [optimism](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/optimism) to succeed in the startup world. “You have to have a solution mindset,” Alexis says. “You have to have this idea that, ‘OK, I see a problem and I have an idea for what could be a solution, and I'm going to try it.’” 
3. __Discovering opportunities__: You just need to know where to look to find your next great startup idea. “See how many ideas you can come up with—online and offline—based on what people are complaining about, hopeful for, curious about,” Alexis says. “Test your idea one way or another to see if there's demand or there's interest.”
4. __Finding purpose__: Starting up innovative companies can be stressful and even scary. You need some core sense of purpose to get you through the more trying times. “You should, as a visionary leader, have some North Star for where you believe the business will go,” Alexis says. “That's going to rely a lot on your instincts and a lot on the time that you spend thinking about it.” 
5. __Following through on your ideas__: Alexis believes coming up with ideas is just the beginning—you need to follow through on them to gain traction. “Execution is everything,” he says. “That's not just doing the work—it's doing the right work.” Learn how he executes on his own startup ideas in his course.
For additional perspectives on entrepreneurship, check out:

1. __Bob Iger on <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-develop-a-smart-business-strategy' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-develop-a-smart-business-strategy","linkCopy":"business strategy","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>business strategy</a> and leadership__: Bob Iger’s tenure as the CEO of the Walt Disney Company saw some of the entertainment company’s biggest acquisitions and [successes](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/bob-iger-book-and-achievements). Watch [Bob’s class](https://www.masterclass.com/classes/bob-iger-teaches-business-strategy-and-leadership) to learn how he fuses curiosity, creativity, and candor to grow a business.
2. __Howard Shultz on business leadership__: Howard Schultz didn’t have an [MBA](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pros-and-cons-of-going-to-business-school) or an Ivy League degree, but he had a dream of building an enduring company. In [Howard’s class](https://www.masterclass.com/classes/howard-schultz-leading-a-values-based-business), the Starbucks CEO shares lessons from nearly forty years of leading one of the world’s top brands, including how to face self-doubt when starting your journey as an [entrepreneur](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/online-business-ideas). 
3. __Sara Blakely on self-made entrepreneurship__: Sara Blakely had no fashion, retail, or business leadership experience when she [invented Spanx](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sara-blakely-founder-of-spanx), her successful brand of women’s undergarments, in the 1990s. All she had was $5,000 and an idea. Watch [Sara’s class](https://www.masterclass.com/classes/sara-blakely-teaches-self-made-entrepreneurship) to learn more about her entrepreneurial journey, as well as her tips for [marketing a product](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sara-blakelys-tips-for-marketing-a-product) and [hiring a team](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sara-blakelys-tips-for-hiring-a-team). 
To build a successful startup, you must first find a problem to solve and learn how to counter the competition. Sign up for a [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com/homepage) to discover Alexis Ohanian’s approach to thinking creatively, [being resourceful](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/alexis-ohanian-on-how-to-be-resourceful), [finding funding](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/startup-funding-tips-from-alexis-ohanian), and nailing your execution.
[Alexis Ohanian](https://www.masterclass.com/classes/alexis-ohanian-teaches-building-your-startup) is one of today’s premier tech entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and startup gurus. He’s spent the last two decades building company after company to transform the landscape of how people interact with each other and obtain goods and services online. In his new class, he’ll teach you his personal startup playbook.

[Alexis Ohanian](https://www.masterclass.com/classes/alexis-ohanian-teaches-building-your-startup) is one of today’s premier tech entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and startup gurus. He’s spent the last two decades building company after company to transform the landscape of how people interact with each other and obtain goods and services online. In his new class, he’ll teach you his personal startup playbook.

Alexis Ohanian’s Career in Startups and Venture Capital

Alexis Ohanian Sr. is a longtime entrepreneur and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-startup' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-startup","linkCopy":"startup","category":null}'>startup</a> enthusiast. As the cofounder of Reddit, he partnered with Y Combinator and Condé Nast to make the forum site what it is today. He also founded and served as a managing partner for Initialized Capital before moving on to start another <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-venture-capitalist-explained' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-venture-capitalist-explained","linkCopy":"venture capital","category":null}'>venture capital</a> firm called Seven Seven Six.

An Introduction to Alexis Ohanian

Alexis Ohanian has lived an impactful life as a startup entrepreneur. Here are five facts worth knowing about him:<ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">He’s an activist. Alexis has always been a dedicated <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-social-justice' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-social-justice","linkCopy":"social justice","category":null}'>social justice</a> activist. During his tenure at Reddit, he helped spearhead multiple campaigns to make the site a more inclusive platform. After the murder of George Floyd in 2020, he stepped down from the company’s board to make way for a Black person to take his place. </li><li class="">He’s a paternity leave advocate. After Alexis and his wife, Serena Williams, welcomed daughter Olympia Ohanian (Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr.), Alexis became a bold advocate for paid family leave. He believes it’s essential for parents to spend as much time with their children as possible. </li><li class="">He’s a podcaster. In addition to building startups and running venture firms, Alexis has also made a major dent on the world of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-do-podcasts-work' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-do-podcasts-work","linkCopy":"podcasting","category":null}'>podcasting</a>. Since the 2010s, he’s hosted multiple different series, including Small Empires, Business Dad, and Upvoted. </li><li class="">He’s a seed investor. Alongside his own business ventures, Alexis has granted seed money to now landmark startups like Cruise, Instacart, and Opendoor. He’s since started dabbling with investments outside the tech world, too. For instance, he and other investors are co-owners of the Angel City Football Club soccer team. </li><li class="">He’s a second-generation immigrant. In the wake of the Armenian genocide, Alexis’s grandparents migrated to the United States. His father remained undocumented for a portion of Alexis’s life as well. His heritage fuels him in his quest to create a more just, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/inclusive-leadership-explained' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/inclusive-leadership-explained","linkCopy":"inclusive","category":null}'>inclusive</a>, and equitable world. </li></ul>

5 Facts About Alexis Ohanian

Entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian has spent decades founding startups and building long-lasting tech companies. Here are five concepts you can expect him to discuss in his class:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Becoming an entrepreneur: Alexis believes there are key signs a person should become an entrepreneur. “If you really are lying awake at night thinking about this,” he says, “if it really is the first thing you wake up to in the morning, you probably are the kind of person who should be doing this.” </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Developing a solutions mindset: You need to have a knack for <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/creative-problem-solving' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/creative-problem-solving","linkCopy":"problem-solving","category":null}'>problem-solving</a> and an insatiable sense of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/optimism' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/optimism","linkCopy":"optimism","category":null}'>optimism</a> to succeed in the startup world. “You have to have a solution mindset,” Alexis says. “You have to have this idea that, ‘OK, I see a problem and I have an idea for what could be a solution, and I&#39;m going to try it.’” </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Discovering opportunities: You just need to know where to look to find your next great startup idea. “See how many ideas you can come up with—online and offline—based on what people are complaining about, hopeful for, curious about,” Alexis says. “Test your idea one way or another to see if there&#39;s demand or there&#39;s interest.” </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. Finding purpose: Starting up innovative companies can be stressful and even scary. You need some core sense of purpose to get you through the more trying times. “You should, as a visionary leader, have some North Star for where you believe the business will go,” Alexis says. “That&#39;s going to rely a lot on your instincts and a lot on the time that you spend thinking about it.” </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. Following through on your ideas: Alexis believes coming up with ideas is just the beginning—you need to follow through on them to gain traction. “Execution is everything,” he says. “That&#39;s not just doing the work—it&#39;s doing the right work.” Learn how he executes on his own startup ideas in his course. </li></ol>

5 Highlights From Alexis Ohanian’s Class

For additional perspectives on entrepreneurship, check out:<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Bob Iger on <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-develop-a-smart-business-strategy' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/how-to-develop-a-smart-business-strategy","linkCopy":"business strategy","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>business strategy</a> and leadership: Bob Iger’s tenure as the CEO of the Walt Disney Company saw some of the entertainment company’s biggest acquisitions and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/bob-iger-book-and-achievements' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/bob-iger-book-and-achievements","linkCopy":"successes","category":null}'>successes</a>. Watch <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/classes/bob-iger-teaches-business-strategy-and-leadership' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/classes/bob-iger-teaches-business-strategy-and-leadership","linkCopy":"Bob’s class","category":null}'>Bob’s class</a> to learn how he fuses curiosity, creativity, and candor to grow a business. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Howard Shultz on business leadership: Howard Schultz didn’t have an <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pros-and-cons-of-going-to-business-school' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/pros-and-cons-of-going-to-business-school","linkCopy":"MBA","category":null}'>MBA</a> or an Ivy League degree, but he had a dream of building an enduring company. In <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/classes/howard-schultz-leading-a-values-based-business' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/classes/howard-schultz-leading-a-values-based-business","linkCopy":"Howard’s class","category":null}'>Howard’s class</a>, the Starbucks CEO shares lessons from nearly forty years of leading one of the world’s top brands, including how to face self-doubt when starting your journey as an <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/online-business-ideas' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/online-business-ideas","linkCopy":"entrepreneur","category":null}'>entrepreneur</a>. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Sara Blakely on self-made entrepreneurship: Sara Blakely had no fashion, retail, or business leadership experience when she <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sara-blakely-founder-of-spanx' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sara-blakely-founder-of-spanx","linkCopy":"invented Spanx","category":null}'>invented Spanx</a>, her successful brand of women’s undergarments, in the 1990s. All she had was $5,000 and an idea. Watch <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/classes/sara-blakely-teaches-self-made-entrepreneurship' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/classes/sara-blakely-teaches-self-made-entrepreneurship","linkCopy":"Sara’s class","category":null}'>Sara’s class</a> to learn more about her entrepreneurial journey, as well as her tips for <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sara-blakelys-tips-for-marketing-a-product' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sara-blakelys-tips-for-marketing-a-product","linkCopy":"marketing a product","category":null}'>marketing a product</a> and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sara-blakelys-tips-for-hiring-a-team' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/sara-blakelys-tips-for-hiring-a-team","linkCopy":"hiring a team","category":null}'>hiring a team</a>. </li></ol>

3 More Classes on Business

To build a successful startup, you must first find a problem to solve and learn how to counter the competition. Sign up for a <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/homepage' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/homepage","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a> to discover Alexis Ohanian’s approach to thinking creatively, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/alexis-ohanian-on-how-to-be-resourceful' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/alexis-ohanian-on-how-to-be-resourceful","linkCopy":"being resourceful","category":null}'>being resourceful</a>, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/startup-funding-tips-from-alexis-ohanian' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/startup-funding-tips-from-alexis-ohanian","linkCopy":"finding funding","category":null}'>finding funding</a>, and nailing your execution.

Find Your Niche

<a href='https://www.masterclass.com/classes/alexis-ohanian-teaches-building-your-startup' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/classes/alexis-ohanian-teaches-building-your-startup","linkCopy":"Alexis Ohanian","category":null}'>Alexis Ohanian</a> is one of today’s premier tech entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and startup gurus. He’s spent the last two decades building company after company to transform the landscape of how people interact with each other and obtain goods and services online. In his new class, he’ll teach you his personal startup playbook.

Alexis Ohanian (https://www.masterclass.com/classes/alexis-ohanian-teaches-building-your-startup) is one of today’s premier tech entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and startup gurus. He’s spent the last two decades building company after company to transform the landscape of how people interact with each other and obtain goods and services online. In his new class, he’ll teach you his personal startup playbook.


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Alexis Ohanian’s Career in Startups and Venture Capital