Mike Krieger Biography

Short Summary

Mike Krieger is a Brazilian-American entrepreneur and software engineer best known as the co-founder of Instagram, a widely popular photo-sharing application. Alongside Kevin Systrom, he played a pivotal role in the development and success of the platform, which changed the landscape of social media by emphasizing visual content. Instagram's success led to its acquisition by Facebook in 2012. Krieger's work has left a significant mark on the technology industry, influencing how people communicate and share content globally.

Early Life & Education

Born on March 4, 1986, in São Paulo, Brazil, Mike Krieger grew up in a family that valued education and innovation. He moved to the United States to pursue higher education, enrolling at Stanford University. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Symbolic Systems, a multidisciplinary program that combines computer science, linguistics, philosophy, and psychology. During his time at Stanford, he met Kevin Systrom, with whom he would later co-found Instagram. His education and early experiences at Stanford played a critical role in shaping his career in technology and entrepreneurship.

Career Highlights

Mike Krieger's career took a significant leap when he co-founded Instagram in 2010 with Kevin Systrom. Initially launched as a check-in app called Burbn, the platform quickly pivoted to focus on photo sharing, which led to its rapid growth. Under Krieger’s technical leadership as the chief technology officer, Instagram developed features that became industry standards, such as photo filters and stories. The app's success caught the attention of Facebook, which acquired Instagram in 2012 for approximately $1 billion. Krieger continued to play a crucial role in Instagram's development until his departure in 2018.

Major Achievements

Co-founded Instagram, a leading social media platform with over a billion users.
Played a pivotal role in the development and success of Instagram's innovative features.
Instrumental in the acquisition of Instagram by Facebook in 2012 for $1 billion.

Famous Quotes

"We wanted to make something that felt like it was for everyone."
"The best products don't focus on the features, but on the storytelling."

Interesting Facts

Mike Krieger moved from Brazil to the United States for his education.
He studied Symbolic Systems at Stanford University.
Instagram was initially a check-in app called Burbn.
He left Instagram in 2018 to pursue new ventures.

Legacy / Influence

Mike Krieger's work with Instagram has significantly influenced social media by emphasizing visual storytelling over text-based communication. The platform's success has inspired a new generation of social media applications that prioritize user-generated visual content. His contributions to technology have reshaped how people interact online, making imagery a central component of digital communication.