In this post, I’ll delve into the most influential CEOs under 30 in 2011. These trailblazers have significantly influenced the future of business leadership and continue to inspire emerging CEOs and industry professionals.

Join me as we explore a remarkable cohort of under-30 CEOs who made an indelible mark in 2011. Their extraordinary achievements and innovative leadership not only influenced their time but continue to inspire the next generation of business trailblazers.

Most influenced / influencing  CEO - Post by Anil Kumar Panigrahi

Most influenced / influencing CEO – Post by Anil Kumar Panigrahi

1) Mark Zuckerberg

Mark Zuckerberg - Facebook | Anil Labs

Mark Zuckerberg - Facebook | Anil Labs

Mark Zuckerberg is the co-founder of Facebook, now Meta Platforms Inc., and is one of the most influential figures in the tech industry. Born on May 14, 1984, he launched Facebook in 2004 while studying at Harvard University. His innovative approach to social networking revolutionized how people connect and communicate online. Zuckerberg’s leadership has sparked both admiration and controversy, particularly regarding privacy concerns, data handling, and the influence of social media on society. Over the years, he’s expanded Facebook’s reach and impact, rebranding it as Meta in 2021 to focus on the development of the metaverse. His vision and actions continue to shape the digital landscape and provoke discussions about the role of technology in our lives.

2) Andrew Mason

  • Age : 30 (in 2011)
  • Company : Groupon
  • Networth : Groupon Valuation $4.75 Billion (in 2011)
  • URL : https://www.groupon.com/
Andrew Mason : Groupon | Anil Labs

Andrew Mason : Groupon | Anil Labs

Andrew Mason is an American entrepreneur known for founding Groupon, a popular deal-of-the-day website. Born on June 23, 1980, Mason created Groupon in 2008, offering localized deals on goods and services. The platform rapidly gained popularity, becoming a global sensation. Mason’s quirky personality and unconventional approach to business garnered attention. He served as CEO of Groupon until 2013 when he was replaced due to concerns about the company’s direction and performance. Post-Groupon, Mason has been involved in various entrepreneurial endeavors and even ventured into music with the release of an album. His innovative approach to e-commerce and his entrepreneurial journey with Groupon remains a significant part of his legacy in the business world.

3) Matt Mullenweg

Matt Mullenweg : WordPress | Anil Labs

Matt Mullenweg : WordPress | Anil Labs

Matt Mullenweg is a prominent figure in the world of technology, best known as the co-creator of WordPress, one of the most widely used content management systems (CMS) for building websites. Born on January 11, 1984, Mullenweg co-founded WordPress and its parent company, Automattic, in 2005. WordPress initially began as a blogging platform and evolved into a versatile CMS used for a wide array of websites, from personal blogs to major company websites.

Mullenweg is a vocal advocate for open-source software and a distributed work environment. Under his leadership, Automattic became a pioneer in remote work, with employees distributed across the globe. His entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to open-source principles have had a profound impact on web development and the culture of remote work. Mullenweg continues to be an influential voice in the tech community and an advocate for open internet principles.

4) Ryan Allis & Aaron Houghton

  • Age : 26 & 29 (in 2011)
  • Company : iContact
  • Networth : 2010 revenue $40 million
  • URL : www.icontact.com
Ryan Allis & Aaron Houghton : iContact | Anil Labs

Ryan Allis & Aaron Houghton : iContact | Anil Labs

Ryan Allis and Aaron Houghton are entrepreneurs known for co-founding iContact, an email marketing company. They started iContact in 2003, aiming to provide easy-to-use email marketing services for businesses. Ryan Allis, with a background in entrepreneurship and technology, and Aaron Houghton, known for his expertise in software development, combined their skills to create a platform that catered to small and medium-sized businesses.

Their company grew significantly, offering tools for email marketing, automation, and customer management. iContact was eventually acquired by Vocus in 2012, and later, Vocus was acquired by Cision. The duo’s venture into iContact marked a successful entry into the world of digital marketing services, offering solutions that catered to the needs of businesses looking to enhance their online presence and customer communication.

5) Gurbaksh Chahal

  • Age : 28 (in 2011)
  • Company : Gwallet
  • Networth : $100 million+(in 2011)
  • URL : www.gwallet.com
Gurbaksh Chahal : Gwallet | Anil Labs

Gurbaksh Chahal : Gwallet | Anil Labs

Gurbaksh Chahal is an entrepreneur known for his early success in the digital advertising and online marketing industry. Born in 1982 in India, Chahal migrated to the United States with his family and quickly ventured into the tech world. He founded ClickAgents at the age of 16, an advertising network, which he later sold to ValueClick for $40 million in 2000. Subsequently, he established BlueLithium, an ad network focusing on behavioral targeting, which he sold to Yahoo in 2007 for approximately $300 million.

Chahal’s career, however, faced controversy when he was involved in legal issues related to domestic violence, which led to his resignation from the company he founded. Despite these personal challenges, he remains a figure known for his early successes in the digital advertising industry and his entrepreneurial endeavors.

6) Naveen Selvadurai

  • Age : 28 (in 2011)
  • Company : Foursquare
  • Networth : $80 million(in 2011)
  • URL : foursquare.com
Naveen Selvadurai: Foursquare | Anil Labs

Naveen Selvadurai: Foursquare | Anil Labs

Naveen Selvadurai is a tech entrepreneur best known as the co-founder of Foursquare, a popular location-based social networking app. Alongside Dennis Crowley, Naveen co-founded Foursquare in 2009. His role was integral in shaping the app’s user experience, design, and community engagement aspects.

Naveen’s background in software development and his keen eye for user-centric design played a significant part in Foursquare’s early success and adoption. He was involved with the company until around 2012, contributing to its growth and establishing its presence in the realm of location-based services. Since then, he has been involved in various ventures and has continued to make an impact in the tech and entrepreneurial spheres.

7) Pete Cashmore

Pete Cashmore : Mashable.com | Anil Labs

Pete Cashmore : Mashable.com | Anil Labs

Pete Cashmore is a Scottish entrepreneur who gained prominence as the founder of Mashable, a highly influential and popular digital media website focused on technology, digital culture, and entertainment news. Cashmore started Mashable in 2005 from his home in Aberdeen, Scotland, when he was just 19 years old. His goal was to create a platform that provided insightful and engaging content about the rapidly evolving world of technology and social media.

Under his leadership, Mashable quickly rose to prominence, becoming a leading source for news and information in the tech industry. Cashmore’s vision and understanding of digital trends and social media played a significant role in the site’s success. He’s recognized as a young, innovative entrepreneur who transformed a small blog into a major media outlet. Cashmore’s entrepreneurial journey and influence within the tech and media landscape continue to inspire many in the industry.

8 ) Michael Seibel, Emmett Shear, Justin Kan and Kyle Vogt

  • Age : 27,27,27,25 (in 2011)
  • Company : Justin.tv
  • Networth : –
  • URL : www.justin.tv
Michael Seibel, Emmett Shear, Justin Kan and Kyle Vogt : Justin.tv | Anil Labs

Michael Seibel, Emmett Shear, Justin Kan and Kyle Vogt : Justin.tv | Anil Labs

Michael Seibel: Michael Seibel is an entrepreneur and investor, known for his role as the CEO of Y Combinator, a renowned startup accelerator. He co-founded Justin.tv (which later became Twitch) and Socialcam. Seibel is recognized for his expertise in supporting and nurturing startups through Y Combinator, guiding numerous companies through their early stages.

Emmett Shear: Emmett Shear co-founded Twitch, an immensely popular live streaming platform for gamers. As the CEO, he played a crucial role in Twitch’s growth and its eventual acquisition by Amazon. Shear is praised for his leadership in shaping the platform into a prominent force in the gaming and live streaming industry.

Justin Kan: Justin Kan is an entrepreneur known for co-founding Justin.tv, which evolved into Twitch, a major live streaming platform. Kan’s early ventures, including the live streaming concept, were instrumental in shaping the landscape of online streaming. He’s also known for his involvement in various other startups and his contributions as a tech investor.

Kyle Vogt: Kyle Vogt is an entrepreneur recognized for co-founding Twitch and for his work in the autonomous vehicle industry. He was instrumental in the creation and growth of Twitch, and later, in the development of self-driving technology, notably as the co-founder and CTO of Cruise Automation, which was acquired by General Motors. Vogt’s contributions have been influential in both the gaming and automotive tech sectors.

9) David Karp

  • Age: 24 (in 2011)
  • Company : Tumblr
  • Networh : $40 million+ in funding(in 2011)
  • URL : www.tumblr.com
David Karp : Tumblr | Anil Labs

David Karp : Tumblr | Anil Labs

David Karp was the founder of Tumblr, a microblogging and social media platform that allowed users to share various forms of content, including text, images, and multimedia. He created Tumblr in 2007 at the age of 21, envisioning a simple and creative space where users could express themselves.

Under Karp’s leadership, Tumblr gained immense popularity due to its user-friendly interface and its blend of social networking and blogging. The platform attracted a vast community and was acquired by Yahoo in 2013. Karp’s innovation in creating a platform that made sharing and microblogging accessible and engaging for millions of users cemented his place as a notable figure in the social media landscape. He stepped down as CEO in 2017 and moved away from the company, but his impact on the digital world through Tumblr remains significant.

10) Matt Mickiewicz

Matt Mickiewicz : Sitepoint.com, 99designs.com and flippa.com | Anil Labs

Matt Mickiewicz : Sitepoint.com, 99designs.com and flippa.com | Anil Labs

Matt Mickiewicz is a Canadian entrepreneur known for co-founding and contributing to the success of several prominent online platforms. He co-founded SitePoint, an online media company focusing on web development, design, and technology. SitePoint became a significant resource for web professionals, offering articles, books, and a forum.

Mickiewicz is also recognized for co-founding 99designs, a platform that connects graphic designers with clients seeking design work. 99designs revolutionized the way design services are accessed and provided opportunities for designers globally.

His entrepreneurial ventures have left a mark on the digital landscape, particularly in web development, design, and the gig economy, empowering both professionals and clients in the creative space.


5 Comments

Ratnakar · February 7, 2011 at 10:06 am

Very Nice inspirational CEO’s which is tempted me to become CEO before 30.
…:)

SMSCubano.com · March 11, 2011 at 7:40 pm

Very Good Post…. like it… thanks Anil…
leo.

Venkata Prasad · May 5, 2011 at 9:28 am

Nice to see & very impressed

and soo in near future wants to see you in teh list

yours
KVD

Rajesh · May 8, 2011 at 12:04 pm

nice post !

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