Jawed Karim, a tech entrepreneur and co-founder of YouTube, boasts an estimated net worth of $310 million.
Jawed Karim has made a major impact on the digital world. As one of the co-founders of YouTube, he played an integral role in creating a platform that now serves as a primary source for entertainment, education and business.
Read on to find out more about his impressive career and wealth!
Who is Jawed Karim?
Born on October 28, 1979, in Merseburg, East Germany (Germany), Jawed holds a Master's degree in Computer Science, which he earned after completing his bachelor's degree at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
While working at PayPal, he met Chad Hurley and Steve Chan, and together, they came up with YouTube in 2005.
The Founding of YouTube
It all started with a failed idea for an online dating platform. But in the end, it turned out to be one of the most successful ventures in the history of the Internet.
On 14 February 2005, three ex-PayPal employees - Jawed Karim, Chad Hurley, and Steve Chen - founded YouTube. While their original plan didn't pan out, they stumbled upon a goldmine.
Fast forward to 2006, when YouTube was acquired by Google for a whopping $1.65 billion, and today it boasts over 2.6 billion, monthly active users.
But none of it would have been possible if it weren't for a group of determined individuals who saw the potential in something that others overlooked.
Jawed Karim – First YouTube Video Ever
Jawed made the first-ever video upload on the platform, featuring himself at the zoo - “Me at the zoo”.
This video, which was posted on April 24, 2005, features Jawed Karim standing in front of a group of elephants at the San Diego Zoo. While the video only lasts for 19 seconds, it has gained over 260 million views, making it one of the most-watched YouTube videos of all time.
This video is not only a historical milestone for YouTube but also a symbol of how simple and uncomplicated moments can make the world watch and admire.
YouTube Google Acquisition
In the year 2006, YouTube was sold to Google for nearly $1.65 billion, making headlines around the world. Jawed Karim, one of the co-founders of YouTube, had taken a lower share in the company when it started, but it still paid off in a big way.
In fact, at the time of the acquisition, he received close to 137,443 shares, worth around $64 million. Karim has since become a successful investor and entrepreneur, with a net worth of $310 million.
Despite his success, he has remained connected to his roots, returning to the University of Illinois to deliver lectures on YouTube's history, including one on "YouTube From Concept to Hypergrowth". That same year, Karim became the youngest Commencement Speaker in the school's history, a testament to his remarkable achievements.
Jawad’s Investments
Jawad's Investments made a significant impact on the tech industry when they launched Youniversity Ventures (Y Ventures) in March of 2008. Partnering with Kevin Hartz and Keith Rabois, Jawad helped to propel Y Ventures into the forefront of the venture capital world.
One of their most significant investments was made in April of 2009 when Jawad invested in the initial Seed round of Airbnb Inc. via Y Ventures. This was one of Jawad's last partner investments, as he went on to become one of the initial investors of the company.
His investment in Formatech on January 31, 2020, added to his already impressive portfolio of investment rounds. Valued at $7 million, this was Jawad's last documented personal investment.
Jawad's Investments continues to make waves in the world of venture capitalism and will undoubtedly go down in history as a major influencer in the tech industry.
Wrap up
Starting from humble beginnings as a tech entrepreneur and YouTube co-founder, he is an inspiration to techies and aspiring entrepreneurs everywhere. His story shows that determination can give even the most unlikely person access to success and wealth. It is also proof that dreams do come true for those willing to invest time, effort, and resources into realizing them. In spite of his own hardships, Jawed Karim has persevered and created a life of success well beyond what many can only dream of attaining through their own entrepreneurial efforts.
FAQ on Jawad Karim
Who owned YouTube first?
YouTube was originally founded by three former PayPal employees: Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim. The trio first came up with the idea for the site in early 2005, after struggling to easily find and share videos online.
What is Jawed Karim's net worth?
Based on recent estimates, Karim's net worth is around $310 million.