Steve Chen
| Steve Chen | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | August 25, 1978 Taipei, Taiwan |
| Nationality | Taiwanese-American |
| Education | University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (BSc) |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur, Software Engineer |
| Known for | Co-founder of YouTube 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.[1]
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.[2]
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.[3]
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.[4]
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.[5]
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
References
- ↑ https://www.sequoiacap.com/podcast/crucible-moments-youtube/
- ↑ https://www.eu-startups.com/2024/10/eu-startups-podcast-episode-89-steve-chen-co-founder-former-cto-of-youtube/
- ↑ https://www.thenewsminute.com/news/youtube-was-born-from-a-failed-dating-site-20-years-on-the-worlds-biggest-video-platform-faces-new-challenges
- ↑ https://www.valenciacf.com/valencia-cf-welcome-youtube-co-founder-steve-chen
- ↑ 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/