Jason Calacanis is a well-known entrepreneur, investor, and author who has made significant contributions to the tech industry. He is the founder of numerous successful startups and is widely recognized as an expert in the field of technology and startups.
Calacanis was born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, in 1970. He graduated from Fordham University in 1992 and began his career in journalism as a reporter for various publications, including the New York Post and Silicon Alley Reporter.
In the late 1990s, Jason Calacanis started his first company, Weblogs, Inc., which was one of the first blogging networks. The company was sold to AOL in 2005 for a reported $25 million. After the sale, Calacanis continued to work for AOL as a senior vice president and became heavily involved in the tech startup scene.
In 2006, Calacanis founded Mahalo.com, a human-powered search engine that aimed to provide users with higher-quality search results. The company raised over $20 million in funding and gained a significant following before eventually shutting down in 2014.
Calacanis is also known for his role as an angel investor, having made early investments in companies such as Uber, Tumblr, and Robinhood. He has continued to invest in startups through his venture capital firm, LAUNCH, which he founded in 2017.
In addition to his work in the tech industry, Calacanis is also an author and podcast host. He has written several books on startups and entrepreneurship, including "Angel: How to Invest in Technology Startups" and "The Calacanis Startup Stack." He also hosts the popular podcast "This Week in Startups," where he interviews entrepreneurs and discusses the latest trends in the tech industry.
Calacanis has been recognized for his contributions to the tech industry, receiving numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. In 2015, he was inducted into the New York Internet Hall of Fame, and in 2017, he was named to the Silicon Alley 100 list of top tech influencers in New York City.
Despite his success, Calacanis has been known for his controversial opinions and outspoken nature. He has been involved in several high-profile disputes and has been criticized by some in the tech community for his aggressive tactics.
Overall, Jason Calacanis has had a significant impact on the tech industry through his startups, investments, and thought leadership. His contributions have helped shape the landscape of entrepreneurship and have inspired countless others to pursue their own ventures in the world of technology.