50 Facts About Sam Altman

Early Life and Education

Sam Altman’s journey began in the heart of the Midwest, where his early experiences shaped his future in technology and innovation.

1. Sam Altman was born on April 22, 1985, in Chicago, Illinois.
2. He grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, in a Jewish family.
3. His mother was a dermatologist, and his father was a real estate broker.
4. Altman is the eldest of four siblings.
5. At the age of eight, he received his first computer, an Apple Macintosh, which sparked his interest in coding.
6. He attended John Burroughs School, a private college-preparatory school in Ladue, Missouri.
7. In 2005, he enrolled at Stanford University to study computer science but dropped out after two years to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams.

Early Career and Loopt

Altman’s first major venture was a location-based social networking app that set the stage for his future successes.

8. At 19, Altman co-founded Loopt, a location-based social networking mobile application.
9. Loopt raised over $30 million in venture capital, including an initial investment of $5 million from Patrick Chung of Xfund and New Enterprise Associates.
10. In March 2012, Loopt was acquired by the Green Dot Corporation for $43.4 million.
11. In April 2012, Altman co-founded Hydrazine Capital with his brother, Jack Altman, focusing on early-stage tech investments.

Y Combinator and Startup Investments

Altman’s role at Y Combinator and his investments in startups have had a significant impact on the tech industry.

12. In 2011, Altman became a partner at Y Combinator (YC), one of the world’s most renowned startup accelerators.
13. He took on the role of president in February 2014, during which YC’s total valuation surpassed $65 billion.
14. As president, he aimed to expand YC to fund 1,000 new companies per year and broaden the types of companies funded.
15. Altman taught a lecture series at Stanford called “How to Start a Startup” in the fall of 2014.
16. In 2015, he was featured on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for venture capital at 29 years old.
17. For eight days in 2014, Altman served as the CEO of Reddit after CEO Yishan Wong resigned.
18. He remained on Reddit’s board until 2022 and invested in multiple rounds of funding for the social media company.
19. Altman has personally invested in numerous startups, including Airbnb and Reddit.

Founding OpenAI and AI Advocacy

Altman’s vision for AI has led to groundbreaking advancements and ethical considerations in the field.

20. In 2015, Altman co-founded OpenAI, an artificial intelligence research laboratory.
21. He is a strong advocate for AI and has collaborated with influential figures like Elon Musk.
22. Altman has invested in leading autonomous vehicle companies such as Cruise Automation and comma.ai.
23. As an angel investor, he has supported a wide range of innovative startups.
24. Under Altman’s leadership, OpenAI achieved significant milestones, including the rapid adoption of ChatGPT.
25. He has been the CEO of OpenAI since 2019, with a brief period of being fired and reinstated in November 2023.

Clean Energy and Other Ventures

Altman’s interests extend beyond AI, including significant contributions to clean energy and other innovative fields.

26. Altman is the chairman of clean energy companies Oklo Inc. and Helion Energy.
27. In March 2024, he debuted on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index with an estimated net worth of $2 billion.
28. In 2017, he received an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree from the University of Waterloo in Canada.
29. The government of Indonesia issued the country’s first “golden visa” to Altman in September 2023.
30. In 2024, Xfund awarded Altman the annual Experiment Cup at an event at Harvard University.
31. In 2023, Altman was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world and CEO of the Year by Time magazine.
32. Altman was one of the “Best Young Entrepreneurs in Technology” by Businessweek in 2008.
33. In 2015, he was named the top investor under 30 by Forbes magazine.
34. Altman has been invited to attend the Bilderberg Meeting in 2016, 2022, and 2023.

Political Involvement and Personal Life

Altman’s influence extends into politics and his personal life, reflecting his diverse interests and commitments.

35. Recode reported that Altman might run for governor of California in the 2018 election, but he decided not to enter.
36. In 2018, he announced “the United Slate,” a political project aimed at improving U.S. housing and healthcare policy.
37. He held a fundraiser at his home in San Francisco for 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang.
38. In May 2020, Altman donated $250,000 to American Bridge 21st Century, a super PAC supporting Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.
39. Altman came out as gay to his parents when he was 16.
40. He enjoys racing sports cars with his husband.
41. Altman is known for his interest in preparing for the apocalypse.
42. His brother, Jack, is a cofounder and CEO at Lattice, an employee management platform.
43. Together with their brother Max, they launched a fund called Apollo in 2020, focusing on funding “moonshot” companies.

Recent Achievements and Legacy

Altman’s recent achievements and ongoing influence ensure his lasting impact on technology and innovation.

44. The Apollo fund supports companies pushing the boundaries of innovation.
45. Altman’s net worth is primarily attributed to his venture capital funds related to Hydrazine Capital and other investments.
46. In May 2024, Oklo Inc. completed a merger with AltC Acquisition Corp, a SPAC co-founded by Altman.
47. In June 2024, Apple announced a partnership with OpenAI to bring ChatGPT to iPhones.
48. In April 2024, Altman was added to Forbes’ billionaires list.
49. OpenAI, under Altman’s leadership, has received significant backing from Microsoft.
50. Altman has emphasized the importance of AI safety and responsible development.

Sam Altman’s Lasting Impact

Sam Altman has undeniably shaped the tech world. From co-founding Loopt at 19 to leading OpenAI, his journey is a testament to innovation. His role at Y Combinator helped launch giants like Airbnb and Dropbox. Altman’s investments in clean energy and AI ethics show his commitment to a better future. Recognized by Time and Forbes, his influence extends beyond tech. His personal life, including his openness about being gay, adds depth to his public persona. Altman’s hobbies, like racing sports cars, reveal a multifaceted individual. With a net worth of $2 billion, his financial success mirrors his professional achievements. As he continues to push boundaries, Altman’s legacy will inspire future innovators. His story isn’t just about tech; it’s about making a lasting impact on the world.