# Jacob Kaplan-Moss

> Jacob Kaplan-Moss is one of the co-creators of Django, the Python web framework that powers Instagram, Pinterest, and thousands of other sites worldwide. After 25+ years building and leading software teams - from a Kansas newspaper where Django was born, to Heroku's security org, to 18F's government tech unit - he walked away from the tech industry in 2024, training as an EMT and volunteering with search and rescue. He remains a board member of the Django Software Foundation, publishes the 'jacobian' newsletter on engineering craft, and is known for his influential writing on hiring, documentation, and the 'programming talent myth'.

- **Role:** Partner at REVSYS; Treasurer, Django Software Foundation
- **Organizations:** REVSYS (Revolution Systems), Django Software Foundation, 18F / U.S. General Services Administration (former), Heroku (former), Latacora (former), Hangar (former), Lawrence Journal-World (former)
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Undergraduate studies, University of California, Santa Cruz
- **Known for:** Co-created Django, one of the world's most widely used Python web frameworks (used by Instagram, Pinterest, and thousands more), Co-authored 'The Definitive Guide to Django: Web Development Done Right' (Apress, 2007), Founded the Django Software Foundation and served as its first President

## Career timeline

- **2003** — Co-created Django framework at Lawrence Journal-World newspaper in Lawrence, Kansas
- **2005** — Django released publicly under BSD license; co-authored 'The Definitive Guide to Django' (Apress)
- **2008** — Founded Django Software Foundation; served as President until 2010
- **2013** — Joined Heroku as Director of Security
- **2014** — Joined 18F / U.S. General Services Administration as Engineering Supervisor; rebuilt government hiring process and launched first civilian government bug bounty program
- **2016** — Left 18F; joined Latacora security consultancy
- **2019** — Head of Engineering at Hangar
- **2020** — Joined REVSYS as Partner, consulting on Django, Python, PostgreSQL
- **2023** — Returned to Django Software Foundation board; proposed path to $1M annual DSF income
- **2024** — Left last tech job in October; began training as EMT and volunteering with Search and Rescue
- **2025** — Publicly announced departure from tech industry; pursuing paramedic certification

## Achievements

- Co-created Django, one of the world's most widely used Python web frameworks (used by Instagram, Pinterest, and thousands more)
- Co-authored 'The Definitive Guide to Django: Web Development Done Right' (Apress, 2007)
- Founded the Django Software Foundation and served as its first President
- Launched the first civilian U.S. government bug bounty program at 18F
- Rebuilt the federal government hiring process for engineers at 18F
- Keynoted and spoke at PyCon, DjangoCon, OSCON, and numerous other major conferences
- Maintained a widely-read engineering leadership newsletter 'jacobian'
- Published influential essays on hiring, the 'programming talent myth', and tech culture
- 3,000+ GitHub followers; curated infosec reading list with 500+ stars

## Latest updates

- **2025-06** — Publicly announced departure from tech industry after 25+ years; detailed ethical disillusionment with surveillance capitalism, gig economy exploitation, and tech's role in enabling authoritarian politics
- **2025-01** — Planned EMT certification training for Fall 2025; actively volunteering with local Search and Rescue
- **2024-10** — Left last tech job; began transition away from the software industry
- **2024-01** — Published philanthropy update detailing giving strategy using Donor Advised Fund; committed to donating majority of wealth during lifetime
- **2023-12** — Presented at DjangoCon on DSF fundraising; proposed path to $1M annual income for the Django Software Foundation
- **2023-06** — Elected to Django Software Foundation board; serving as Treasurer

## Links

- Website: https://jacobian.org/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobian/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/jacobian
- GitHub: https://github.com/jacobian
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacobian/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/jacob-kaplan-moss
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-04-21