Famous American IT & Software Entrepreneurs

Steve Wozniak is an influential American technology entrepreneur, engineer, programmer, and inventor. Co-founder of Apple Computer in 1976 with Steve Jobs, he played a pivotal role in the personal computer revolution. Wozniak's design work on the Apple I and Apple II contributed to their success. He also influenced the early development of the Macintosh. After leaving Apple, he founded CL 9 and created a programmable universal remote. Wozniak remains connected to Apple in a ceremonial role and continues his involvement in various entrepreneurial and philanthropic ventures.

Paul Allen was an American businessman, computer programmer, researcher, film producer, explorer, sports executive, investor, and philanthropist. He co-founded Microsoft Corporation with Bill Gates, sparking the microcomputer revolution. Allen managed Vulcan Inc., a company overseeing his business ventures. He had a diverse investment portfolio, including technology, media, and space flight ventures. Allen owned sports teams like the Seattle Seahawks and the Portland Trail Blazers. He founded institutes for brain science, artificial intelligence, and cell science, and supported various causes with over $2 billion in donations.

Gary Vaynerchuk, also known as Gary Vee, is a prominent American businessman, author, speaker, and internet personality. He co-founded Resy and Empathy Wines, showcasing his entrepreneurial skills. Initially recognized as a wine critic, Gary later shifted his focus to digital marketing and social media. He currently serves as the chairman of VaynerX, a New York-based communications company, and is the CEO of VaynerMedia, a subsidiary of VaynerX. His professional endeavors highlight his expertise in business, marketing, and brand building.

Larry Ellison is an American businessman and entrepreneur known for co-founding software company Oracle Corporation. He served as Oracle's CEO from 1977 to 2014, currently holding the positions of chief technology officer and executive chairman. With a significant net worth, Ellison is among the top wealthiest individuals globally. He is recognized for his ownership of a large percentage of Lānaʻi, a Hawaiian Island. Ellison's professional journey showcases his leadership in the tech industry and his successful ventures in software development and business management.

Gabe Newell is an American businessman known for co-founding Valve Corporation. He began his career at Microsoft before leaving to establish Valve with Mike Harrington. Newell played a key role in developing the popular game Half-Life and later spearheaded the creation of Steam, a leading digital distribution platform for PC games. By 2021, he maintained a significant ownership stake in Valve and amassed substantial wealth, making him a prominent figure in the video game industry.

Steve Chen is a Taiwanese-American Internet entrepreneur known for co-founding YouTube, where he served as the chief technology officer. Following his time at YouTube, he co-founded AVOS Systems, Inc. and developed the video-sharing app MixBit. He later transitioned to Google Ventures in 2014, showcasing his expertise in technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation within the digital realm. Chen's professional journey highlights his contributions to the video-sharing industry and his ability to adapt and excel in various roles within the tech sector.

David Baszucki is a Canadian-born American entrepreneur, engineer, and software developer known for co-founding and serving as the CEO of Roblox Corporation. He was also the co-founder and CEO of Knowledge Revolution, a company later acquired by MSC Software. Baszucki's professional journey includes expertise in technology and business management, particularly in the field of online entertainment and gaming. His leadership roles in successful companies highlight his strategic vision and ability to drive innovation in the tech industry.

Pierre Omidyar is a prominent technology entrepreneur, software engineer, and philanthropist. He is best known as the founder of eBay, where he held the position of chairman for nearly two decades. Omidyar's impact extends beyond his success with eBay, as he and his wife established the Omidyar Network, a philanthropic organization. His involvement in online journalism includes leadership roles in investigative reporting and the creation of First Look Media, a journalism venture involving notable figures like Glenn Greenwald, Laura Poitras, and Jeremy Scahill.

Andrew McCollum is an American angel investor and businessman known for co-founding Facebook. He played a key role in the early development of the social media platform. McCollum is currently serving as the chief executive officer of Philo, a television streaming service. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated expertise in technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation. McCollum's contributions to the tech industry have been significant, and his leadership at Philo continues to showcase his strategic vision and business acumen.

Kevin Systrom is a prominent American computer programmer and entrepreneur best known for co-founding Instagram, the world's largest photo-sharing website, with Mike Krieger. Systrom's leadership as CEO saw Instagram experience rapid growth, reaching 800 million monthly users by September 2017. He made a significant business move by overseeing the sale of Instagram to Meta Platforms (previously Facebook, Inc.) for $1 billion in 2012. Despite resigning as CEO in 2018, Instagram has continued to thrive under his initial vision, now boasting over one billion users and contributing substantially to Meta Platforms's annual revenue.

Tom Anderson is an American technology entrepreneur known for co-founding the social networking website Myspace in 2003 with Chris DeWolfe. He served as the president of Myspace and played a key role as a strategic adviser for the company. Anderson gained widespread recognition as "Tom from Myspace", "Myspace Tom", or "My friend, Tom" due to his automatic assignment as the first "friend" for new Myspace users. His professional journey is marked by his significant contributions to the development and growth of Myspace.

Christopher Hughes is an American entrepreneur and author known for his involvement in various ventures. He co-founded and served as spokesperson for Facebook in its early days. He later became the publisher and editor-in-chief of The New Republic. In 2016, Hughes co-founded the Economic Security Project, focusing on economic issues. He is also the author of the book "Fair Shot: Rethinking Inequality and How We Earn," which was published in 2018. Hughes has been active in advocating for economic security and addressing inequality.

Jerry Chih-Yuan Yang is an American billionaire computer programmer, internet entrepreneur, and venture capitalist. He co-founded Yahoo! Inc. and served as its former CEO, playing a significant role in shaping the company's early success. Yang is also a founding partner of AME Cloud Ventures, where he continues to invest in cutting-edge technology startups. With a net worth of $2.5 billion as of July 2023, he remains a prominent figure in the tech industry, known for his innovative contributions and strategic investments.

Christopher Poole, also known as moot, is an American Internet entrepreneur and developer. He is best known for founding the anonymous imageboard 4chan in 2003 as a teenager and serving as its head administrator until 2015. Poole also created the online community Canvas, operational from 2011 to 2014. He later joined Google in 2016 as a product manager for the Google+ social network but left the company in 2021. Poole has been actively involved in internet communities and social networking platforms throughout his career.

Bobby Murphy is a Filipino-American Internet entrepreneur and software engineer known for co-founding Snap Inc., previously known as Snapchat Inc., alongside Evan Spiegel and Reggie Brown during their time at Stanford University. As the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Snap Inc., Murphy has played a pivotal role in the development and success of the American multinational technology company. Recognized for his influence, Murphy was named one of the 100 most influential people by Time and was listed as the second-youngest billionaire in the world by Forbes.

Reid Hoffman is an accomplished American entrepreneur known for co-founding and serving as the executive chairman of LinkedIn, a prominent business-oriented social networking platform. In addition to his role at LinkedIn, he is the chairman of the venture capital firm Village Global and a co-founder of Inflection AI. Hoffman's professional endeavors have cemented his reputation as a successful internet entrepreneur, venture capitalist, podcaster, and author, with a focus on fostering professional connections and innovation in the tech industry.

Walter O'Brien is an Irish businessman and information technologist known for his role as the executive producer and loose inspiration for the television series Scorpion. He has made claims about his accomplishments, such as having a childhood IQ of 197, which have faced scrutiny and remain unproven. O'Brien's professional life revolves around his work in the tech industry, where he has garnered attention for his involvement in various projects and initiatives.

An Wang was a Chinese-American computer engineer and inventor known for co-founding Wang Laboratories, a company famous for its dedicated word processing machines. He made significant contributions to the development of magnetic-core memory technology. Wang played a key role in revolutionizing the field of computer engineering with his innovative work. His expertise and inventions have had a lasting impact on the industry, solidifying his reputation as a pioneer in the field of computer technology.

Zachary Bogue is an American entrepreneur, lawyer, angel investor, and advisor for startups. He co-founded 'Founders Den', a venture capital firm, and is a Managing Partner there. Bogue has invested in cutting-edge technology and innovative startups, with notable associations with companies like UberCab and Square. Additionally, he is part of 'Montara Capital Partners', a real estate private equity fund, and co-founded Data Collective, a group of venture capitalists and entrepreneurs. With years of experience in Silicon Valley, Bogue is renowned for his success as a businessman and investor.

Neil Mallon Bush is an American businessman and investor. He has founded and managed various successful businesses, focusing on technology and investment opportunities. Throughout his career, he has held leadership positions in several companies and organizations, utilizing his expertise in finance and entrepreneurship. He is known for his innovative approaches to business ventures and has contributed significantly to the growth and success of the companies he has been involved with. Neil Bush continues to be active in the business world, exploring new opportunities and making valuable contributions to the industry.

Tyler Williams is an accomplished American technology entrepreneur and social-media influencer. With a background in tech investment banking and experience working for Disney, Tyler founded two interactive digital platforms that allow users to share their stories globally. He also owns a popular YouTube channel focused on food-tasting videos. Tyler's entrepreneurial journey began after attending Stanford University, where he honed his skills and found his passion for innovation. Currently dating social-media celebrity Safiya Nygaard, Tyler continues to make a mark in the digital world with his creative ventures and engaging content.

Apoorva Mehta is the founder and CEO of Instacart, an American delivery company based in San Francisco. He has led the company to become a prominent player in the grocery delivery industry in the United States and Canada. Under his leadership, Instacart has established partnerships with 1,500 retail banners and facilitated over 900 million orders, amounting to more than $100 billion in Gross Transaction Value (GTV). Mehta's professional career is characterized by innovation and success in the e-commerce and delivery sectors.

Gene Myron Amdahl was an American computer architect and entrepreneur recognized for his contributions to mainframe computers at IBM and later founding Amdahl Corporation. He is renowned for formulating Amdahl's law, a critical concept in parallel computing. Amdahl's work revolutionized the field and set the foundation for advancements in computational efficiency. Through his innovative ideas and leadership, he made significant impacts on the technology industry, cementing his legacy as a pioneer in computer architecture and high-performance computing.

Biz Stone is an American entrepreneur known for co-founding Twitter and other technology companies. He served as the creative director at Xanga before co-founding Jelly with Ben Finkel. Jelly, a search engine focused on visual imagery and discovery, was launched in 2014, with Stone as its CEO. In 2017, Pinterest acquired Jelly, marking a significant milestone in Stone's career. Stone's professional journey showcases his innovative spirit and expertise in technology, particularly in the realm of social media and search engines.

Justin Siegel is an American entrepreneur with a background in the telecom industry. He is the founder of 'ATX Angel, LLC' and a co-founder of 'JNJ Mobile.' With extensive experience in telecommunications, he successfully launched his entrepreneurial ventures. Apart from his telecom businesses, Justin serves as an advisor to finance and investment companies like 'Boston Seed Capital.' His professional achievements include working in news channels and gaining recognition for his expertise in the industry. Despite his success, Justin's personal life, notably his secret marriage to Emmy Rossum, garnered media attention.

Louis V. Gerstner Jr. is an American businessman known for his transformative leadership as chairman and CEO of IBM from 1993 to 2002. Prior to IBM, he held executive roles at RJR Nabisco, American Express, and McKinsey & Company. A highly regarded figure in the business world, he has also contributed to academia as chairman of various institutions. Gerstner is the author of influential books on corporate and educational reform, showcasing his expertise in turning around organizations and fostering innovation.

John Parkinson Dehlin is an American podcast host with a PhD in psychology. He is known for founding the Mormon Stories Podcast and several other podcasts, blogs, and websites. Dehlin was a prominent figure in the early "Mormon blogosphere" and continues to blog at Patheos.com. He is an advocate for LGBT rights and holds views that challenge mainstream religious culture. In 2015, he was excommunicated from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Chris DeWolfe is an American technology entrepreneur known for co-founding Myspace in 2003 and serving as its CEO until 2009. Following his time at Myspace, he became the CEO of Jam City, a video game developer, which he co-founded in 2010. DeWolfe's professional life has been marked by his leadership roles in prominent tech companies, where he has demonstrated a keen understanding of consumer trends and a knack for creating successful digital platforms and entertainment products.

Edward "Ed" Liddy is an American businessman who served as the chairman of the Allstate Corporation from 1999 to 2008. In September 2008, he took on the role of interim chairman and chief executive officer of American International Group, Inc. (AIG) at the request of the U.S. Department of the Treasury. This appointment was part of the government's efforts to stabilize U.S. financial firms during the 2007–2008 financial crisis. Liddy voluntarily accepted a salary of just $1 a year during his time at AIG.

Fernando Espuelas is a prominent American entrepreneur, author, media personality, and philanthropist known for his pioneering role in the consumer Internet industry. As the co-founder and former CEO of Starmedia, the first pan-Latin Internet portal, he led the company to become a global leader, serving millions of Spanish and Portuguese speakers. Espuelas has been recognized for his influence and leadership in various prestigious publications and organizations, advocating for democracy and individual empowerment through technology. He is also a respected media figure, hosting radio shows and contributing to major platforms like Huffington Post and CNN.

Jason Fried, a co-founder of 37signals (now reverted back to its original name, Basecamp), is a prominent figure in the American web software industry. With a background in web design, Fried played a key role in transitioning the company's focus to web application development. He has been instrumental in the development and success of popular products like Basecamp, Backpack, Campfire, and Highrise. Fried, along with David Heinemeier Hansson, has authored multiple books under the 37signals name, showcasing their expertise in the field.

Michel Krieger is a prominent Brazilian entrepreneur and software engineer known for co-founding Instagram alongside Kevin Systrom and serving as its Chief Technology Officer. During his time at Instagram, he played a crucial role in expanding the platform's user base significantly. Following his departure from Instagram in 2018, Krieger continued to make waves in the tech industry by joining Anthropic as its Chief Product Officer in 2024. His innovative contributions and leadership have solidified his reputation as a visionary in the digital realm.

Greg Gianforte is an American businessman, politician, and software engineer. He co-founded RightNow Technologies, a successful customer relationship management software company that was later acquired by Oracle Corporation. Gianforte served as the U.S. representative for Montana's at-large congressional district before becoming the 25th governor of Montana in 2021. Despite a misdemeanor assault conviction in 2017, he has been reelected multiple times and is known as the first Republican governor of Montana since 2005.

Patrick Joseph McGovern Jr. was an American businessman known for founding and chairing International Data Group (IDG). Under his leadership, IDG became a prominent company with subsidiaries in technology publishing, research, event management, and venture capital. McGovern's entrepreneurial spirit and vision led to the company's success, making him a notable figure in the business world. By 2013, he was recognized on the Forbes 400 list of the wealthiest Americans, showcasing his significant impact and influence in the industry.