Mike Krieger
Mike Krieger (born March 4, 1986) is a Brazilian-American software engineer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist best known as the co-founder and former Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Instagram. He currently serves as Chief Product Officer at Anthropic, an AI safety and research company. Krieger played a vital role in shaping Instagram into one of the world’s most widely used social media platforms.[1]
| Mike Krieger | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | March 4, 1986 São Paulo, Brazil |
| Nationality | Brazilian-American |
| Alma mater | Stanford University (BA, Symbolic Systems) |
| Occupation | Software Engineer, Entrepreneur |
| Known for | Co-founder of Instagram Chief Product Officer at Anthropic |
| Spouse | Kaitlyn Trigger (m. 2015) |
Early Life and Education
Krieger was born in São Paulo, Brazil, and demonstrated an early interest in computers and design. In 2004, he moved to California to attend Stanford University, where he studied symbolic systems—a program integrating computer science, cognitive science, philosophy, and linguistics. At Stanford, he met Kevin Systrom, with whom he would later co-found Instagram.[2]
Instagram: Founding and Growth
In 2010, Krieger and Systrom launched Instagram, initially a photo-sharing app that quickly gained massive popularity for its simplicity and visual focus. Krieger led the app’s engineering, ensuring it scaled efficiently during explosive user growth. Instagram reached 1 million users within two months and eventually over a billion.
Facebook acquired Instagram in 2012 for $1 billion, retaining Krieger and Systrom to lead the company independently. During their tenure, Instagram introduced transformative features such as Stories, Direct Messaging, and IGTV, cementing its dominance in the social media space.[3]
Departure and Post-Instagram Ventures
In 2018, Krieger and Systrom announced their departure from Instagram to pursue new ventures. In April 2020, they launched Rt.live, a tool to track COVID-19 transmission rates in U.S. states.
In 2023, they introduced Artifact, an AI-powered news aggregation app. While innovative, the app struggled to scale and was acquired by Yahoo in early 2024.[4]
Role at Anthropic
In May 2024, Krieger joined Anthropic as Chief Product Officer. The company, founded by ex-OpenAI researchers, focuses on developing safe and aligned AI systems. At Anthropic, Krieger oversees product development, prioritizing ethical AI deployment and human-centered design.
Philanthropy
Krieger is a committed philanthropist. In 2015, he partnered with GiveWell, donating $750,000 to support high-impact charitable efforts. In 2021, he and his wife Kaitlyn Trigger supported the founding of the Institute of Contemporary Art San Francisco, highlighting their commitment to community and the arts.[5]
Personal Life
Krieger married Kaitlyn Trigger in 2015. The couple lives in California and maintains a low public profile. Together, they are engaged in multiple philanthropic causes focused on social impact and public health.
Legacy and Impact
Mike Krieger’s legacy is anchored in building scalable, user-first technology platforms. His contributions to social media via Instagram transformed digital communication globally. Now active in the AI space, Krieger continues to shape emerging technologies with a focus on ethics, accessibility, and innovation.
References
- ↑ https://www.britannica.com/money/Instagram
- ↑ https://t2online.in/not-in-use/wheels/there%E2%80%99s-a-new-app-from-the-founders-of-instagram-%E2%80%94-artifact/327459?utm_source=recommendation&ref=recommendation
- ↑ https://www.financialexpress.com/life/technology-zerodha-ceo-nithin-kamath-joins-instagram-shares-thoughts-on-linkedin-about-social-media-learningnbsp-3772115/
- ↑ https://www.livemint.com/news/trends/zerodhas-nithin-kamath-struggles-with-instagram-too-old-or-just-too-complex-netizens-reaction-11741508883495.html
- ↑ https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/science/how-to-use-instagram-s-profile-category-label-as-a-creator/story