In 2006, three unknown friends sold a video-sharing website for $1.65 billion. Today, that site is worth over $455 billion, revolutionizing the internet, entertainment, and even politics. But after the sale, the founders vanished overnight, leaving behind one of the most influential platforms ever created.
Meet the Founders: Chad, Steve, and Jawed
The three pioneers behind YouTube—Chad Hurley, Steve Chen, and Jawed Karim—created the world’s second-largest search engine, shaping global culture in ways no one could have predicted. Despite their extraordinary success, you may have never heard their names. Here’s the incredible story of their rise, exit, and lasting impact.
A Humble Beginning: From Dinner Party to YouTube
The journey began in 2004 at a dinner party, where the founders were frustrated by the difficulty of sharing videos online. Their first idea was a video dating site called “Tune in, Hook up.” It bombed. But they quickly pivoted, leading to the birth of YouTube in February 2005—launched from a simple garage with no major investors or fancy offices. Their mission was clear: make video sharing easy.
- First upload: 18 seconds of Jawed at the zoo saying, “The elephants have really, really long trunks.” Not exactly viral content, but it ignited the spark.
Rapid Growth and Cultural Phenomenon
In just one year, YouTube’s growth was nothing short of explosive:
- 100 million daily views
- 65,000 daily uploads
What started as a small project in a garage quickly became a cultural phenomenon, with millions flocking to the platform to upload, watch, and share videos.
YouTube’s Game-Changing Deals
The turning point came when YouTube began making billion-dollar deals with major media companies, dramatically reshaping how content was shared and consumed. Old media rushed to keep up as YouTube changed the entertainment landscape forever. The platform became a cultural force.
Google Acquires YouTube: $1.65 Billion Deal
In October 2006, Google acquired YouTube for $1.65 billion. The founders became instant tech royalty, but instead of cashing in and building personal empires, they saw something bigger.
They realized YouTube wasn’t just a website—it was a cultural shift that would change how we consume entertainment, news, and even influence social and political movements.
The Unthinkable: The Founders Walk Away
By 2011, the YouTube founders made a shocking move—they walked away from the platform at its peak. They didn’t rest on their laurels or try to cash out with personal fame. Instead, they recognized that true innovators don’t just create—they disrupt and move on to new challenges.
Post-YouTube: A New Era of Innovation
After leaving YouTube, the founders didn’t fade into obscurity. They used their wealth and influence to support and invest in groundbreaking projects:
- Chad Hurley: Invested in the Golden State Warriors, helping turn them into NBA champions.
- Steve Chen: Backed unicorns like Slack and Airbnb.
- Jawed Karim: Made investments in high-profile startups like Reddit and Palantir.
Their legacy, however, isn’t just in their investments—it’s in the monumental impact YouTube continues to have.
YouTube Today: A Global Behemoth
Fast-forward to today, and YouTube is a global powerhouse:
- 2.6 billion active users (one-third of the world’s internet users)
- $28.8 billion in revenue (2021)
But beyond the staggering numbers, YouTube’s real power lies in its ability to reshape the world:
- It influences elections—62% of U.S. adults get their news from YouTube.
- It drives social movements—#MeToo videos garnered 32 million views in 2017.
From entertainment to revolution, YouTube has become a force of change.
The Lesson: From Simple Problems to World-Changing Ideas
The story of YouTube teaches a powerful lesson for entrepreneurs everywhere: World-changing ideas often start by solving a simple problem. Chad, Steve, and Jawed just wanted to share party videos. Today, their creation has transformed global politics, culture, and commerce.
The real question is: What’s the YouTube of tomorrow? Are you building it?
The stage is set. Your move.
