Reid Hofmann

Reid Hoffman is a visionary entrepreneur and investor who specialises in scaling network-driven businesses and pioneering artificial intelligence innovation. As co-founder of LinkedIn, which he led to profitability before its $26.2 billion acquisition by Microsoft, and an early executive at PayPal, he shaped the architecture of modern professional networking and digital commerce. Now focused on Manas AI, his cancer drug discovery startup, Reid applies AI to biological systems whilst predicting that by 2026, AI agents will transform knowledge work across research, operations, and creative fields. Through his podcasts "Masters of Scale" and "Possible", bestselling books including "Blitzscaling", and board roles at leading technology companies, he equips leaders and organisations with frameworks for rapid growth, strategic AI adoption, and navigating technological transformation with clarity and competitive advantage.

When Reid Hoffman co-founded LinkedIn in 2003, he set in motion a transformation of how professionals connect worldwide, ultimately building the platform to profitability before its $26.2 billion acquisition by Microsoft in 2016. His journey from Executive Vice President at PayPal to architect of the world's largest professional networking platform established him as a defining voice in understanding network effects and viral business dynamics. After serving on Microsoft's board since 2017, Reid announced in 2026 his return to "founder mode", stepping down to focus on Manas AI, a cancer drug discovery startup where he serves as co-founder and chairman alongside Pulitzer Prize-winning physician Dr Siddhartha Mukherjee. This shift reflects his conviction that biology will become the next frontier for artificial intelligence, treating biological systems as a language to model molecules and generate new hypotheses about how life works.

Throughout his career, Reid has demonstrated an exceptional ability to identify and scale transformative technologies. As a partner at Greylock since 2009, he has guided investments in companies including Airbnb, where he led the Series A financing round in 2010, and Aurora, the autonomous driving company. His expertise in what he terms "blitzscaling", the art of rapid growth, has made him a sought-after board member for organisations including Microsoft, Aurora, Coda, and Joby, alongside non-profit roles at Kiva, Endeavor, and the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered AI. He hosts two influential podcasts: "Masters of Scale", the first US media series to commit to a 50-50 gender balance among guests, and "Possible", which examines pathways to a brighter future. As co-author of five bestselling books including "Blitzscaling", "The Startup of You", and "Impromptu", he has translated complex business strategies into accessible frameworks for entrepreneurs and leaders worldwide. His academic foundation, a master's degree in philosophy from Oxford University as a Marshall Scholar and a bachelor's degree in symbolic systems from Stanford, underpins his analytical approach to technology and human systems.

Reid equips leaders and organisations with practical strategies for navigating technological transformation and harnessing artificial intelligence effectively. He predicts that by the end of 2026, thriving companies will systematically deploy AI agents across operations, with "orchestration", the skill of managing multiple agents working in parallel, becoming essential for knowledge workers. His insights help audiences understand how AI agents will expand beyond coding into research, operations, project management, and creative work, fundamentally changing how teams collaborate and solve problems. Through his speaking engagements, Reid translates emerging trends into actionable intelligence, enabling organisations to adopt AI strategically, scale with confidence, and build resilient networks that drive competitive advantage. His ability to connect philosophical thinking with commercial reality gives audiences both the conceptual frameworks and practical tools needed to lead through periods of rapid technological change.