# Kevin Systrom

> Kevin Systrom co-founded Instagram in 2010 with Mike Krieger, transforming mobile photography into a global phenomenon with over 1 billion users before selling to Facebook for $1 billion in 2012. After leaving Instagram in 2018, he launched Artifact, an AI-powered news app, later acquired by Yahoo in 2024. A Stanford-educated engineer with a passion for photography and design, Systrom serves on the boards of Walmart and Snowflake while continuing to invest in and advise tech startups from San Francisco.

- **Role:** Board Member at Walmart and Snowflake; Former CEO and Co-founder of Instagram
- **Organizations:** Instagram, Artifact, Walmart (Board), Snowflake (Board), Meta/Facebook
- **From:** Holliston, Massachusetts
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science in Management Science and Engineering, Stanford University, High School, Middlesex School
- **Known for:** Co-founded Instagram, which grew to over 1 billion users, Sold Instagram to Facebook for $1 billion with only 13 employees, Named 'Founder of the Year' at 6th Annual Crunchies Awards (2012)

## Career timeline

- **2006** — Graduated from Stanford University; joined Google working on Gmail, Google Calendar, and other products
- **2006** — Participated in Mayfield Fellows Program at Stanford; interned at Odeo (later became Twitter)
- **2008** — Left Google after being denied Associate Product Manager position
- **2008-2010** — Worked at Nextstop (travel recommendation startup)
- **2010** — Co-founded Instagram with Mike Krieger in San Francisco on October 6
- **2010** — Instagram reached 1 million users within one month of launch
- **2012** — Facebook acquired Instagram for $1 billion (13 employees, no revenue)
- **2014** — Joined Walmart's Board of Directors
- **2016** — Ranked as billionaire by Forbes
- **2018** — Resigned as CEO of Instagram on September 24
- **2023** — Launched Artifact, an AI-powered personalized news app with Mike Krieger
- **2024** — Artifact acquired by Yahoo; Systrom joined as strategic advisor
- **2025** — Testified in FTC antitrust case against Meta regarding Instagram acquisition
- **2026** — Continues serving on boards of Walmart and Snowflake; active investor

## Achievements

- Co-founded Instagram, which grew to over 1 billion users
- Sold Instagram to Facebook for $1 billion with only 13 employees
- Named 'Founder of the Year' at 6th Annual Crunchies Awards (2012)
- Listed in Time magazine's '100 Most Influential People in the World' (2016)
- Received CFDA Social Media Award (2015)
- Named to Forbes '30 Under 30' list (2013)
- Built Instagram to 1 million users in first month of launch
- Certified sommelier
- Member of Stanford's selective Mayfield Fellows Program

## Latest updates

- **2025-05** — Criticized AI chatbots for prioritizing engagement over usefulness in public statements
- **2025-04** — Testified in FTC antitrust case against Meta, claiming Zuckerberg saw Instagram as a threat and starved it of resources
- **2024-04** — Artifact acquired by Yahoo; Systrom joined as strategic advisor during transition
- **2024-01** — Announced Artifact shutdown after determining market opportunity wasn't big enough
- **2023-01** — Launched Artifact, an AI-powered personalized news app with co-founder Mike Krieger

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinsystrom/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/kevin
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevin/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/systrom/

---

Profile page: https://yespress.io/kevin-systrom
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-04