View source for Steve Chen

{{SHORTDESC:Co-founder and former CTO of YouTube}}
{{#seo:
|title=Steve Chen
|keywords=Steve Chen, Steve Chen YouTube, Steve Chen biography, who is Steve Chen, Steve Chen wiki, Steve Chen net worth, YouTube founder
|description=Steve Chen is a Taiwanese-American entrepreneur and software engineer, best known as the co-founder and former CTO of YouTube, the world’s largest video-sharing platform.
|image=Steve Chen.png
|image_alt=Steve Chen YouTube founder
}}
{| class="infobox" style="width: 22em; font-size: 90%; text-align: left; border-spacing: 0px; background-color: #f9f9f9; border: 1px solid #aaa; float: right; margin-left: 1em;"
! colspan="2" style="text-align: center; font-size: larger; padding: 5px 0;" |Steve Chen
|-
| colspan="2" style="text-align: center; padding: 0;" |[[File:Steve Chen.png|center|200x300px]]
|-
| style="width: 30%; padding: 5px;" |'''Born'''
| style="width: 70%; padding: 5px;" |August 25, 1978<br>Taipei, Taiwan
|-
| style="width: 30%; padding: 5px;" |'''Nationality'''
| style="width: 70%; padding: 5px;" |Taiwanese-American
|-
| style="width: 30%; padding: 5px;" |'''Education'''
| style="width: 70%; padding: 5px;" |University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (BSc)
|-
| style="width: 30%; padding: 5px;" |'''Occupation'''
| style="width: 70%; padding: 5px;" |Entrepreneur, Software Engineer
|-
| style="width: 30%; padding: 5px;" |'''Known for'''
| style="width: 70%; padding: 5px;" |Co-founder of YouTube<br>Former CTO of YouTube
|}

'''Steve Chen''' is a '''Taiwanese-American software engineer and entrepreneur''' best known as the '''co-founder and former Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of YouTube'''. As one of the original architects of the world's largest video-sharing platform, he played a pivotal role in shaping the digital media revolution.<ref>https://www.sequoiacap.com/podcast/crucible-moments-youtube/</ref>

== Early Life and Education ==
Steve Chen was born on '''August 25, 1978, in Taipei, Taiwan'''. At the age of eight, he emigrated to the United States with his family. He completed his schooling in Illinois and went on to earn a degree in '''Computer Science''' from the '''University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign'''—a university known for producing prominent tech innovators.<ref>https://www.eu-startups.com/2024/10/eu-startups-podcast-episode-89-steve-chen-co-founder-former-cto-of-youtube/</ref>

== Career Highlights ==

=== PayPal ===
After graduating, Chen joined '''PayPal''', where he worked as an engineer and met future YouTube co-founders '''Chad Hurley''' and '''Jawed Karim'''. This experience introduced him to the Silicon Valley startup ecosystem and laid the groundwork for his next venture.<ref>https://www.thenewsminute.com/news/youtube-was-born-from-a-failed-dating-site-20-years-on-the-worlds-biggest-video-platform-faces-new-challenges</ref>

=== YouTube (2005–2006) ===
In early 2005, the trio co-founded '''YouTube''', envisioning a simple platform for uploading, sharing, and viewing videos. As CTO, Chen was responsible for building and scaling YouTube’s core infrastructure during its hyper-growth phase. 

In '''November 2006''', '''Google acquired YouTube for $1.65 billion in stock''', marking one of the most significant acquisitions in tech history.

=== AVOS Systems and Google Ventures ===
Following YouTube’s acquisition:
* Chen and Hurley co-founded '''AVOS Systems''', which developed a video-sharing app called '''MixBit'''.
* In 2014, Chen became an '''Entrepreneur-in-Residence at Google Ventures''', where he mentored startups and explored new tech ventures.<ref>https://www.valenciacf.com/valencia-cf-welcome-youtube-co-founder-steve-chen</ref>

== Net Worth ==
Steve Chen’s net worth has fluctuated over the years. As of 2025:
* Estimates range from '''$500 million''' to over '''$2.4 billion''', depending on valuations and investments.

== Recent Activities ==
In '''2024''', Steve Chen returned to '''Taiwan''' to engage with the local startup ecosystem. He has expressed interest in '''bridging Silicon Valley with Taiwanese innovation''', helping to nurture a new generation of tech entrepreneurs.<ref>https://tech.eu/2024/07/29/vds-steve-chen-randi-zuckerberg-and-juan-antonio-samaranch-lead-lineup-of-top-speakers-at-valencias-premier-tech-event/</ref>

== Legacy ==
Chen’s work has had a lasting impact on digital communication and online media. YouTube has grown into the world’s largest video-sharing platform, influencing global culture, education, entertainment, and politics.

== See Also ==
* [[YouTube]]
* [[Chad Hurley]]
* [[Jawed Karim]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:YouTube people]]
[[Category:American technology company founders]]
[[Category:Taiwanese emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign alumni]]
[[Category:1978 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American chief technology officers]]

[[en:Steve Chen]]