LinkedIn is the world's largest online professional networking site, with over 930 million members in more than 200 countries. It was founded in 2002 by Reid Hoffman, a former PayPal executive, and a team of like-minded professionals. Hoffman's goal was to create a platform where professionals could connect with each other, share information, and find jobs.
The site quickly gained popularity, and by 2006, it had over 20 million members. In 2008, LinkedIn was acquired by Microsoft for $26.2 billion. The acquisition made LinkedIn a wholly-owned subsidiary of Microsoft, and Hoffman remained the company's CEO until 2017.
In this article, we will take a closer look at who owned LinkedIn before it was acquired by Microsoft, as well as the factors that led to its success.
Who Owned LinkedIn
LinkedIn's ownership history is relatively short, but it has seen some significant changes.
- Founded in 2002
- By Reid Hoffman
- Acquired by Microsoft
- In 2016
- $26.2 billion deal
- LinkedIn remains subsidiary
- Hoffman as CEO until 2017
- Now owned by Microsoft
- Over 930 million members
LinkedIn's success is due to a number of factors, including its focus on professional networking, its user-friendly design, and its ability to connect people with jobs.
Founded in 2002
LinkedIn was founded on December 28, 2002, by Reid Hoffman, a former PayPal executive.
- Reid Hoffman's Vision:
Hoffman's goal was to create a platform where professionals could connect with each other, share information, and find jobs.
- Initial Funding:
Hoffman and his team raised $5 million in venture capital funding to get LinkedIn off the ground.
- Early Growth:
LinkedIn quickly gained popularity, and by 2003, it had over 1 million members.
- Focus on Professional Networking:
From the beginning, LinkedIn focused on professional networking, rather than social networking.
LinkedIn's early success was due in part to its focus on a specific niche, its user-friendly design, and its ability to connect people with jobs.
By Reid Hoffman
Reid Hoffman is a serial entrepreneur and investor who is best known for co-founding LinkedIn. He was born in Stanford, California, in 1967, and he studied symbolic systems at Stanford University. After graduating from Stanford, Hoffman worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Company before joining PayPal in 1998. He left PayPal in 2002 to found LinkedIn.
Hoffman's vision for LinkedIn was to create a platform where professionals could connect with each other, share information, and find jobs. He believed that the internet could be used to connect people in new and innovative ways, and he wanted to create a platform that would make it easier for people to find jobs and advance their careers.
Hoffman's vision for LinkedIn was realized, and the site quickly became the world's largest professional networking site. By 2006, LinkedIn had over 20 million members, and it was acquired by Microsoft in 2016 for $26.2 billion. Hoffman remained the CEO of LinkedIn until 2017, and he continues to be involved with the company as a board member.
Hoffman is a successful entrepreneur and investor, and he is also a philanthropist. He has donated millions of dollars to various causes, including education, healthcare, and the environment. He is also a vocal advocate for immigration reform and diversity in the tech industry.
Reid Hoffman is a visionary leader who has made a significant impact on the world. He is a role model for entrepreneurs and investors, and he is an inspiration to people all over the world.
Acquired by Microsoft
In 2016, Microsoft announced that it would acquire LinkedIn for $26.2 billion. The deal was completed on December 8, 2016, and LinkedIn became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Microsoft.
- Microsoft's Motivation:
Microsoft's acquisition of LinkedIn was motivated by a number of factors, including the desire to expand its enterprise software and services business, to gain access to LinkedIn's data and insights, and to improve its position in the social media market.
- LinkedIn's Motivation:
LinkedIn's motivation for the deal was to gain access to Microsoft's resources and expertise, to expand its global reach, and to accelerate its growth.
- Impact on LinkedIn:
Since being acquired by Microsoft, LinkedIn has continued to grow and expand. It has also benefited from Microsoft's resources and expertise, which have helped it to improve its products and services.
- Impact on Microsoft:
LinkedIn has also had a positive impact on Microsoft. It has helped Microsoft to expand its enterprise software and services business, to gain access to LinkedIn's data and insights, and to improve its position in the social media market.
Overall, the acquisition of LinkedIn by Microsoft has been a success for both companies. LinkedIn has benefited from Microsoft's resources and expertise, and Microsoft has benefited from LinkedIn's data, insights, and position in the social media market.
In 2016
In 2016, LinkedIn was a major player in the social media landscape, with over 433 million members. It was also a profitable company, with annual revenue of over $3 billion. However, LinkedIn was facing increasing competition from other social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter. Microsoft saw an opportunity to acquire LinkedIn and use its data and insights to improve its own products and services.
On June 13, 2016, Microsoft announced that it would acquire LinkedIn for $26.2 billion. The deal was approved by regulators in the United States and Europe, and it was completed on December 8, 2016. LinkedIn became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Microsoft, and its founder, Reid Hoffman, joined Microsoft's board of directors.
Microsoft's acquisition of LinkedIn was a major event in the tech industry. It was the largest acquisition in Microsoft's history, and it gave Microsoft access to LinkedIn's valuable data and insights. Microsoft also hoped that LinkedIn would help it to expand its enterprise software and services business.
Since being acquired by Microsoft, LinkedIn has continued to grow and expand. It now has over 930 million members, and it is the world's largest professional networking site. LinkedIn has also benefited from Microsoft's resources and expertise, which have helped it to improve its products and services.
Overall, Microsoft's acquisition of LinkedIn has been a success for both companies. LinkedIn has benefited from Microsoft's resources and expertise, and Microsoft has benefited from LinkedIn's data, insights, and position in the social media market.
$26.2 billion deal
Microsoft's acquisition of LinkedIn for $26.2 billion was a major event in the tech industry. It was the largest acquisition in Microsoft's history, and it gave Microsoft access to LinkedIn's valuable data and insights. Microsoft also hoped that LinkedIn would help it to expand its enterprise software and services business.
The deal was approved by regulators in the United States and Europe, and it was completed on December 8, 2016. LinkedIn became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Microsoft, and its founder, Reid Hoffman, joined Microsoft's board of directors.
The $26.2 billion price tag for LinkedIn was a reflection of the company's strong position in the social media landscape. LinkedIn was the world's largest professional networking site, with over 433 million members. It was also a profitable company, with annual revenue of over $3 billion.
Microsoft believed that LinkedIn was worth the high price tag because it would give Microsoft access to LinkedIn's data and insights, which could be used to improve Microsoft's own products and services. Microsoft also hoped that LinkedIn would help it to expand its enterprise software and services business.
Overall, the $26.2 billion deal for LinkedIn was a major investment for Microsoft, but it was an investment that Microsoft believed would pay off in the long run.
LinkedIn remains subsidiary
Even though Microsoft acquired LinkedIn in 2016, LinkedIn remains a wholly-owned subsidiary of Microsoft. This means that LinkedIn has its own management team and its own board of directors. However, Microsoft has the ultimate say over LinkedIn's strategic direction.
- Benefits of Being a Subsidiary:
There are a number of benefits to LinkedIn being a subsidiary of Microsoft. For example, LinkedIn has access to Microsoft's resources and expertise, which has helped it to improve its products and services. LinkedIn also benefits from Microsoft's global reach, which has helped it to expand its user base.
- Challenges of Being a Subsidiary:
There are also some challenges associated with being a subsidiary. For example, LinkedIn may have to deal with bureaucracy and red tape from Microsoft. Additionally, LinkedIn may have to compromise its own strategic vision in order to align with Microsoft's overall goals.
- The Future of LinkedIn:
It is unclear what the future holds for LinkedIn. Some analysts believe that Microsoft will eventually integrate LinkedIn into its own products and services. Others believe that LinkedIn will remain a standalone company. Only time will tell what the future holds for LinkedIn.
- Microsoft's Commitment to LinkedIn:
Microsoft has publicly stated that it is committed to LinkedIn's independence and growth. Microsoft has also invested heavily in LinkedIn since acquiring the company. This suggests that Microsoft is serious about keeping LinkedIn as a standalone company.
Overall, it is too early to say what the long-term impact of Microsoft's acquisition of LinkedIn will be. However, it is clear that LinkedIn remains a valuable asset for Microsoft.
Hoffman as CEO until 2017
Reid Hoffman remained the CEO of LinkedIn until 2017. This was a significant period for LinkedIn, as the company continued to grow and expand. LinkedIn also faced increasing competition from other social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter.
- Hoffman's Leadership:
Hoffman's leadership was instrumental in LinkedIn's success during this period. He was a visionary leader who was able to see the potential of social media for professional networking. He was also a skilled manager who was able to build a strong team and execute on his vision.
- LinkedIn's Growth:
Under Hoffman's leadership, LinkedIn continued to grow rapidly. The number of LinkedIn members increased from 433 million in 2016 to over 500 million in 2017. LinkedIn also expanded its global reach during this period.
- LinkedIn's Challenges:
LinkedIn also faced a number of challenges during this period. The company faced increasing competition from other social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter. LinkedIn also had to deal with the challenges of being a publicly-traded company.
- Hoffman's Departure:
In 2017, Hoffman stepped down as CEO of LinkedIn. He was succeeded by Jeff Weiner, who had previously been LinkedIn's president. Hoffman remains involved with LinkedIn as a board member.
Overall, Hoffman's tenure as CEO of LinkedIn was a period of significant growth and expansion for the company. LinkedIn also faced a number of challenges during this period, but Hoffman was able to successfully navigate these challenges and position LinkedIn for continued success.
Now owned by Microsoft
LinkedIn is now owned by Microsoft. Microsoft acquired LinkedIn in 2016 for $26.2 billion. The deal was completed on December 8, 2016, and LinkedIn became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Microsoft.
- Microsoft's Ownership:
Microsoft is a global technology company that is best known for its Windows operating system and its Office productivity suite. Microsoft is also a major player in the cloud computing market. Microsoft's acquisition of LinkedIn was motivated by a number of factors, including the desire to expand its enterprise software and services business, to gain access to LinkedIn's data and insights, and to improve its position in the social media market.
- LinkedIn's Benefits:
LinkedIn has benefited from Microsoft's ownership in a number of ways. For example, LinkedIn has access to Microsoft's resources and expertise, which has helped it to improve its products and services. LinkedIn also benefits from Microsoft's global reach, which has helped it to expand its user base.
- Microsoft's Benefits:
Microsoft has also benefited from its ownership of LinkedIn. LinkedIn's data and insights have helped Microsoft to improve its own products and services. LinkedIn has also helped Microsoft to expand its enterprise software and services business. Additionally, LinkedIn has helped Microsoft to improve its position in the social media market.
- The Future of LinkedIn:
It is unclear what the future holds for LinkedIn. Some analysts believe that Microsoft will eventually integrate LinkedIn into its own products and services. Others believe that LinkedIn will remain a standalone company. Only time will tell what the future holds for LinkedIn.
Overall, Microsoft's ownership of LinkedIn has been a success for both companies. LinkedIn has benefited from Microsoft's resources and expertise, and Microsoft has benefited from LinkedIn's data, insights, and position in the social media market.
Over 930 million members
LinkedIn is the world's largest professional networking site, with over 930 million members in more than 200 countries. This makes it an incredibly valuable asset for Microsoft, as it gives Microsoft access to a vast pool of potential customers and partners.
LinkedIn's members are also highly engaged. They spend an average of 17 minutes per month on the site, and they are more likely to click on ads and make purchases than users of other social media platforms.
LinkedIn's large and engaged membership base is a major reason why Microsoft was willing to pay $26.2 billion for the company. Microsoft believes that LinkedIn's data and insights can be used to improve its own products and services, and that LinkedIn's members can be a valuable source of revenue.
LinkedIn has also benefited from its large and engaged membership base. The more members LinkedIn has, the more valuable it is to businesses and professionals. This has helped LinkedIn to attract new members and to grow its revenue.
Overall, LinkedIn's large and engaged membership base is a major asset for both Microsoft and LinkedIn.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about who owned LinkedIn:
Question 1: Who founded LinkedIn?
Answer 1: LinkedIn was founded by Reid Hoffman, a former PayPal executive.
Question 2: When was LinkedIn founded?
Answer 2: LinkedIn was founded on December 28, 2002.
Question 3: Who acquired LinkedIn?
Answer 3: LinkedIn was acquired by Microsoft in 2016.
Question 4: How much did Microsoft pay for LinkedIn?
Answer 4: Microsoft paid $26.2 billion for LinkedIn.
Question 5: Why did Microsoft acquire LinkedIn?
Answer 5: Microsoft acquired LinkedIn to expand its enterprise software and services business, to gain access to LinkedIn's data and insights, and to improve its position in the social media market.
Question 6: Who was the CEO of LinkedIn before Microsoft acquired it?
Answer 6: Reid Hoffman was the CEO of LinkedIn before Microsoft acquired it.
Question 7: How many members does LinkedIn have?
Answer 7: LinkedIn has over 930 million members.
Question 8: What is the future of LinkedIn?
Answer 8: The future of LinkedIn is uncertain. Some analysts believe that Microsoft will eventually integrate LinkedIn into its own products and services. Others believe that LinkedIn will remain a standalone company.
Closing Paragraph for FAQ:
These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about who owned LinkedIn. If you have any other questions, please feel free to search online or contact LinkedIn directly.
In addition to the information in the FAQ, here are a few tips for using LinkedIn:
Tips
Here are a few tips for using LinkedIn:
Tip 1: Create a strong profile.
Your LinkedIn profile is your online resume. Make sure it is complete and up-to-date. Include a professional headshot, a clear and concise summary of your skills and experience, and a list of your accomplishments. You should also include links to your website, blog, and social media profiles.
Tip 2: Connect with people you know.
LinkedIn is a great way to stay connected with people you know, such as former colleagues, classmates, and friends. You can also use LinkedIn to find new connections, such as potential employers, clients, and partners.
Tip 3: Join relevant groups.
LinkedIn has thousands of groups dedicated to different industries, professions, and interests. Joining relevant groups is a great way to connect with other professionals in your field, learn about new trends, and find job opportunities.
Tip 4: Share valuable content.
LinkedIn is a great platform for sharing valuable content, such as articles, blog posts, and videos. Sharing valuable content is a great way to position yourself as a thought leader in your field and to attract new connections.
Closing Paragraph for Tips:
These are just a few tips for using LinkedIn. By following these tips, you can make the most of your LinkedIn experience and achieve your professional goals.
LinkedIn is a powerful tool that can be used to find a job, connect with other professionals, and learn about new trends in your field. By following the tips in this article, you can make the most of your LinkedIn experience and achieve your professional goals.
Conclusion
LinkedIn has come a long way since it was founded in 2002 by Reid Hoffman. It is now the world's largest professional networking site, with over 930 million members. LinkedIn has also been acquired by Microsoft for $26.2 billion.
LinkedIn's success is due to a number of factors, including its focus on professional networking, its user-friendly design, and its ability to connect people with jobs. LinkedIn has also benefited from the leadership of Reid Hoffman, who was the company's CEO until 2017.
The future of LinkedIn is uncertain. Some analysts believe that Microsoft will eventually integrate LinkedIn into its own products and services. Others believe that LinkedIn will remain a standalone company.
Regardless of what the future holds, LinkedIn is a valuable tool for professionals. It can be used to find a job, connect with other professionals, and learn about new trends in your field.
Closing Message:
If you are not already using LinkedIn, I encourage you to create a profile today. LinkedIn is a powerful tool that can help you achieve your professional goals.