In the world of tech, Evan Williams stands out. He’s an American billionaire who has made a big impact. He co-founded Twitter and Blogger, and also created Medium¹.

Williams’ journey is all about vision, hard work, and new ideas. He started in Nebraska and became a tech leader. His story shows how one person can change the digital world².

Key Takeaways

• Evan Williams is a famous American tech entrepreneur, known for starting Twitter and Blogger.
• He also founded Medium and Obvious Ventures.
• He has greatly influenced social media and online publishing.
• His net worth is $2.1 billion as of 2022, making him a big name in tech.
• Evan Williams Bourbon is not related to the tech entrepreneur.

Early Life and Educational Background

Evan Williams was born on March 31, 1972, in Clarks, Nebraska³. He grew up on a farm, helping with irrigation in the summers⁴. Williams went to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln for a year and a half. He joined FarmHouse fraternity before leaving to start his career⁴.

First Steps in Technology

After college, Evan Williams took on tech jobs in Florida, Texas, and Nebraska. He moved to California in 1996 to work for O’Reilly Media⁴. This early experience in tech set the stage for his future business ventures⁴.

“The farm life taught me the value of hard work and resourcefulness, which have been crucial to my success in the tech industry.”

The Birth of Blogger and Rise to Tech Fame

Evan Williams, co-founder of Pyra Labs, changed online publishing with Blogger in 1999⁵. This platform made it easy for people to share their thoughts. It helped the blogosphere grow. Williams, as a web influencer and online pioneer, made content creation more accessible.

In the early days, Blogger grew slowly, with 3,000 sign-ups in eight months⁶. But it showed great promise. It evolved, using new technologies like ASP and Java⁶. Google’s acquisition of Pyra Labs in 2003 made Blogger a top blogging platform⁶.

Williams then co-founded Twitter in 2006⁵. It changed how we talk and share news online⁵. Today, Twitter has 175 million users, showing Williams’ lasting impact⁷.

He also started Medium in 2012⁵. It focuses on quality content, attracting writers and readers who value depth⁵. Williams has always been ahead of the digital curve, shaping online interaction and content.

“I’m more interested in empowering individuals and giving them the tools to create their own futures.” – Evan Williams

From Odeo to Twitter: Evan Williams’ Journey

After leaving Google in 2004, Evan Williams co-founded Odeo, a podcast company⁸. Odeo didn’t succeed, leading Williams and his partners to focus on a side project. This project later became Twitter⁸.

The Founding of Odeo

Williams raised about $2 million in venture capital money for Odeo⁸. Before its launch, Odeo got funding from investors, including Williams and another person⁸. Williams believed podcasting would grow and people could make a living from it⁸.

Twitter’s Creation and Evolution

Twitter was spun out as a new company in April 2007, with Williams as co-founder, board member, and investor⁹. Twitter was founded in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Noah Glass, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams⁹. Twitter won the South by Southwest (SXSW) Web Award in the Blog category in 2007¹⁰.

By 2012, Twitter had over 200 million users⁹. In 2012, Twitter surpassed 140 million monthly active users with over 340 million tweets generated per day¹⁰. Twitter went public on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) with an IPO share price of $26 and a valuation of approximately $24.4 billion in 2013¹⁰.

Leadership as Twitter CEO

Williams became CEO of Twitter in October 2008, succeeding Jack Dorsey⁹. By February 2009, Twitter ranked as the third most-used social network⁸. Williams stepped down as CEO in October 2010 to focus on product strategy⁸.

“Google acquired Blogger from Williams, which at the time had only six team members. Williams acknowledged Google’s ability to think audaciously huge ideas.”

Through his journey from Odeo to Twitter, Evan Williams has shown his skill as a social media innovator. He co-founded and led influential platforms that have shaped the digital landscape⁹⁸¹⁰.

Building the Medium Empire

In 2012, Evan Williams, co-founder of Twitter, aimed to start a new publishing

. First, Medium was only for early users. Then, in 2013, it opened to everyone¹¹. Williams wanted it to be a space for ideas and stories, with a focus on longer content and deep discussions¹¹.

Medium has grown to attract over 85 million users each month¹². It has also received $132 million in funding, showing strong financial support¹¹. Yet, the company had to lay off a third of its staff, showing some challenges¹¹.

The publishing platform is now a key place for content creation. It offers a wide range of topics and views from users¹¹. It’s also known for startup failure stories, sparking talks about tech industry hurdles and entrepreneur resilience¹¹.

“Medium was designed as a place for ideas and stories, many of which were submitted by users.”

On July 12, 2022, Evan Williams announced he would leave as Medium’s CEO. He will become the chairman of the board¹². This change signals a new era for medium as it keeps growing and shaping online content creation.

Entrepreneurial Ventures and Investments

Evan Williams has made a big impact beyond his work in tech. In 2014, he started Obvious Ventures with James Joaquin and Vishal Vasishth¹³. This venture capital firm looks for companies that can make the world a better place. They’ve raised about $585 million in three rounds¹³.

Obvious Ventures Formation

Obvious Ventures aims to support entrepreneurs and businesses that dream of a better future. With Williams’ experience in tech, the firm is known for its smart investments.

Investment Philosophy

Williams believes in investing wisely, focusing on fewer opportunities, and avoiding distractions. This approach guides Obvious Ventures in choosing companies that aim for lasting change¹⁴. He’s also invested in Beyond Meat, showing his support for sustainable food¹³.

Notable Portfolio Companies

Obvious Ventures has supported many startups in different fields. They’ve invested in clean energy, sustainable farming, healthcare, and education tech. These choices reflect the firm’s commitment to solving big problems and making a positive impact.

Source Links

1. Evan Williams (bourbon) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evan_Williams_(bourbon)
2. 10 Things You Should Know About Evan Williams – https://vinepair.com/articles/evan-williams-bourbon-guide/
3. The Journey of Evan Williams – https://medium.com/technology-learner/the-journey-of-evan-williams-ddc028254e14
4. Evan Williams (actor) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evan_Williams_(actor)
5. A Journey on the Information Highway by Evan Williams – www.alexanderjarvis.com – https://www.alexanderjarvis.com/a-journey-on-the-information-highway-by-evan-williams/
6. Internet History: The Rise of the Blog – https://popzazzle.blogspot.com/2023/09/internet-history-rise-of-blog.html
7. Why Twitter’s C.E.O. Demoted Himself (Published 2010) – https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/31/technology/31ev.html
8. How Evan Williams turned side projects like Twitter into huge successes – https://venturevoice.substack.com/p/how-evan-williams-turned-side-projects
9. Who Owns Twitter, When Was It Founded, History, And Timeline – Twenvy – https://www.twenvy.com/who-owns-twitter-history-and-timeline/
10. Twitter history timeline – https://www.officetimeline.com/blog/twitter-timeline
11. If Medium Shuts Down, Where Will Founder Evan Williams Write Its Postmortem? – https://observer.com/2017/01/medium-fail-post-literary-genre/
12. Evan Williams’ Net Worth and Billionaire Story – https://www.capitalism.com/evan-williams-net-worth/
13. Evan Williams (Internet entrepreneur) – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evan_Williams_(Internet_entrepreneur)
14. Understanding Medium: Evan Williams On His Past, Future, and Current Obsessions – https://medium.com/newco/understanding-medium-3b3c995aa4a5