Garry Tan's Journey to Becoming a Successful Entrepreneur

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Garry Tan co-founded Y Combinator, a startup accelerator program that has funded over 2,000 companies, including Airbnb, Stripe, and Dropbox.

Garry Tan's entrepreneurial journey began with a humble start as a programmer, working on various projects in his teenage years.

Tan attended Stanford University, where he was part of the university's startup accelerator program, which helped him develop his entrepreneurial skills.

Garry Tan's experience working at Y Combinator has given him a unique perspective on what makes successful startups tick.

For your interest: Garry Tan San Francisco

Career and Achievements

Garry Tan is a highly accomplished entrepreneur, designer, investor, and software engineer, born on March 21, 1981, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

He co-founded Posterous, a blogging platform, which was acquired by Twitter in 2012 for $20 million. Tan also co-founded Posthaven after the shutdown of Posterous.

Tan was a partner at Y Combinator from December 2010 to November 2015, where he worked with over 700 startups and wrote software for the company, including the internal alumni social network, Bookface.

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Garry Tan has been listed on the Forbes Midas List from 2018-2022 and ranked #21 on the 2019 Midas List. He was also named one of the top 50 angel investors in the world by Alejandro Cremades in 2014.

Tan is the co-founder and managing partner of Initialized Capital, which has raised over $1 billion in funding. He led investments in Instacart, Coinbase, and Flexport through Initialized.

Career

Tan worked at Microsoft and then became the 10th employee at Palantir Technologies.

He co-founded Posterous, a blogging platform, which was acquired by Twitter in 2012 for $20 million.

Tan also co-founded Posthaven after the shutdown of Posterous.

Tan joined Y Combinator in 2011 as a designer in residence and partner.

At Y Combinator, Tan helped compile a directory of "the best and the brightest interaction designers and visual designers".

Tan wrote Coinbase’s first seed round check in 2012.

Tan and fellow Y Combinator partners raised $7 million in venture capital funding to support Y Combinator alumni companies, including Instacart and Coinbase.

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Tan was a founder of Initialized Capital, a venture capital fund.

Initialized Capital raised $7 million for its first funding round in 2012.

Tan, Harjeet Taggar, and Alexis Ohanian raised $39 million for Initialized Capital in 2013.

Initialized Capital raised a $115 million third fund in 2016.

The latest fund was closed in December 2021 for $700 million.

Through Initialized, Tan led investments in Instacart, Coinbase, and Flexport.

Tan has been listed on the ForbesMidas List from 2018–2022.

In August 2022, Y Combinator announced that Tan would become president of the company in January 2023, replacing Geoff Ralston.

The Biggest Return

Garry Tan's impressive career is marked by numerous ventures and achievements, but one of the biggest returns was the acquisition of Posterous by Twitter in 2012 for $20 million.

Tan co-founded Posterous with Alexis Ohanian, and the platform was later acquired by Twitter, netting a significant return.

As a partner at Y Combinator, Tan helped compile a directory of top designers and wrote Coinbase's first seed round check in 2012.

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He also played a key role in raising $7 million in venture capital funding to support Y Combinator alumni companies, including Instacart and Coinbase.

Tan's ties to Y Combinator remain deep, and he hopes to engage the institution's alumni community more in the near future.

He views the network and community as YC's biggest strength, rather than its biggest challenge.

Personal Interests and Habits

Garry Tan is a partner at Y Combinator, a well-known startup accelerator. He's also a successful entrepreneur and investor.

Garry Tan is a partner at Y Combinator, a well-known startup accelerator. He's also a successful entrepreneur and investor. He co-founded Loopt, a location-based social network that was later acquired by Green Dot.

Garry Tan is a partner at Y Combinator, a well-known startup accelerator. He's also a successful entrepreneur and investor. He co-founded Loopt, a location-based social network that was later acquired by Green Dot. Tan has also invested in several successful startups, including Dropbox and Airbnb.

Garry Tan is known for his love of entrepreneurship and investing. He's been involved with Y Combinator since 2005.

For more insights, see: Bill Miller (investor)

San Francisco

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San Francisco is a city in the state of California, where Garry Tan has invested in several startups, including Postmates, which he co-founded. He's also invested in other companies with a presence in the city.

Garry Tan has spoken about the importance of having a strong support network, which is evident in his own life, having grown up in a close-knit community in San Francisco's Chinatown.

The city's vibrant startup scene has been a major draw for Garry Tan, who has been a part of several successful companies based there, including Posterous, which was acquired by Twitter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Garry Tan married?

Yes, Garry Tan is married. He shares his life with his wife and two children in Noe Valley, San Francisco.

Who is the CEO of Y Combinator?

Garry Tan is the president and CEO of Y Combinator, leading the company since [year]. He previously played a key role in shaping the YC experience for founders.

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Anne Wiegand is a seasoned writer with a passion for sharing insightful commentary on the world of finance. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics, Anne has established herself as a trusted voice in the industry. Her articles on "Gold Chart" and "Mining Stocks" have been well-received by readers and industry professionals alike, offering a unique perspective on market trends and investment opportunities.

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