Chris Messina

Yo, have you heard about Chris Messina? The guy is a straight-up legend in the tech world, and honestly, his story is wild. So, he’s a YC W18 alum, but before that, he’s been around the block with some of the biggest and most original names in tech, Google, Uber, Republic, and tons of startups. Basically, he’s been everywhere, making moves and shaping how we communicate online.

But what makes Chris really stand out? It’s all about that one move, he invented the hashtag. Yep, the hashtag. That tiny # that totally changed social media, activism, marketing, you name it. Before him, no one thought, “Hey, what if we just add a little symbol to group stuff?” And boom, social media exploded in new, crazy ways. That’s some legendary shit right there.

He’s more than just a one-trick pony. The guy’s a product design genius. He’s worked at Google as a product designer and led developer experience at Uber, two giants, and he crushed it at both. He’s also co-founded a handful of startups, like Molly, which is all about making chatbots smarter and more human. And then there’s Citizen Agency, a consultancy that’s laser-focused on building community-driven products, tech that actually benefits the people using it.

Chris also jumped into the scene with movements that changed how we do tech events, like BarCamp, that unconference vibe, and coworking spaces that totally blew up the startup scene. This guy’s been key in shaping the culture of tech beyond just products, he’s about community, collaboration, and pushing boundaries.

He’s also a big advocate for open source, working with projects like Firefox and Flock, and he’s involved with the OpenID Foundation, pushing for a more open internet. That’s some real-deal passion for freedom and transparency in tech.

He’s also a speaker, TEDx, SXSW, Google I/O, you name it. Always dropping knowledge bombs. And he’s not just talking; he’s investing and leading now, as a General Partner at Ride Home Fund. Basically, he’s still jumping into new stuff, always looking to push the envelope.

His background? He’s a Carnegie Mellon grad in Communication Design, so he’s got that blend of creativity and tech smarts. But what I really get from him is that he’s all about starting things that matter, whether it’s a movement, a tool, or a community. He’s the type who sees a gap, jumps in, and makes shit happen. That’s why he’s so important, because he’s not just riding the wave, he’s creating the wave.

Long story short? Chris Messina is a pioneer, a builder, and a connector. He’s shaped how we communicate online, built communities, and keeps pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with tech. No cap, this guy’s the real deal.