Sam Altman is an entrepreneur, investor, and computer scientist. He is the CEO of Open AI and also became the president of the startup accelerator Y Combinator from 2014 to 2019. Furthermore, he has actively participated in multiple tech ventures and played a role in advancing AI and other technologies. Altman’s involvement with OpenAI, the organization behind ChatGPT, highlights his dedication to pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence and its applications.

Early Life and Education

Sam Altman was born on April 22, 1988, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. His mother is a dermatologist. He attended John Burrough School, a private preparatory school, where he developed his programming skills.


After graduating from high school, Altman went to study computer science at Stanford University.
During his time at Stanford, he showcased his entrepreneurial spirit by co-founding Loopt, a location-based social networking app, while still in his teenage years. This early venture provided a glimpse of his future endeavors and ability to harness technology for real-world applications.However, he dropped out before completing his bachelor’s degree.

sam altman early life

Sam Altman Career

In 2005, Altman founded Loopt, which focused on location-based social networking, allowing users to share their locations and connect with friends nearby. As the CEO, Altman secured over $30 million in venture capital. However, Loopt failed to attract enough users and gain a traction. Furthermore, he co-founded Hydrazine Capital alongside his brother, Jack Altman.

In 2012, Altman joined Y Combinator as a partner, starting on a part-time basis. In February 2014, Altman was named president of Y Combinator by its co-founder, Paul Graham. Under Altman, Y Combinators expanded its programs and investments, becoming one of the most influential accelerators in the tech industry.

Sam Altman resigned from Y Combinators in 2020 to serve as CEO of OpenAI full-time. A corporation and research facility for artificial intelligence, OpenAI is well-known for its work in the industry. OpenAI achieved a notable accomplishment by creating the GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) series of language models.

Altman’s career also extended into the cryptocurrency space with Worldcoin, a project aiming to create a global digital currency. His diverse roles and ventures have left an indelible mark on the tech industry, shaping startups, AI, and emerging technologies.

Sam Altman’s influence in the tech realm extends beyond his roles at Y Combinator and OpenAI. He has carved a niche as a prolific angel investor, pouring his resources and expertise into diverse technology startups and groundbreaking ventures.

His investment portfolio reads like a who’s who of innovation, featuring names like Airbnb, Stripe, Reddit, Asana, Pinterest, and more. These companies redefined industries and captured the public imagination have found an advocate in Altman’s strategic investments.

Altman’s commitment isn’t limited to the digital sphere. He’s also a champion of sustainable energy solutions. As chairman of the board for Helion and Oklo, two nuclear energy companies, he demonstrates his dedication to shaping a cleaner and more efficient energy landscape.

Sam Altman Career

Personal Life and Relation

Altman is gay and dated Nick Sivo for nine years, a co-founder of Loopt. After the company’s acquisition in 2012, their relationship ended. In 2023, his partner became Oliver Mulherin, an Australian software engineer.

Sam Altman Net Worth

Altman’s net worth is around $500 million. When he was nineteen, he co-founded Loopt, which generated over $30 million in revenue. Furthermore, Green DOT Corporation paid $43.4 million to acquire Loopt in 2012. He invested in businesses like Stripe, Reddit, Atlassian, and Airbnb. He was also a key investor in these businesses. Altman resides in San Francisco, California, where he leads a luxurious existence. He adores owning multiple residences, fancy cars, and swift aircraft.

NameSamuel Harris Altman
Birth DateApril 22, 1988
OriginU.S.A
ProfessionCEO of Open AI
Net Worth$500 million