# Tony Fadell

> Tony Fadell is the inventor of the iPod, co-creator of the iPhone, and founder of Nest Labs - the company Google bought for $3.2 billion. Known as the 'Father of the iPod,' he holds 300+ patents and now runs Build Collective from Paris, coaching 200+ deep-tech startups focused on climate, energy, food, and robotics. He also wrote the bestselling book 'Build' (2022) and designs hardware for companies like Ledger.

- **Role:** Principal at Build Collective
- **Organizations:** Build Collective, ARM Holdings, Ledger, Keyssa, Phononic, MIT Morningside Academy for Design
- **From:** Michigan, USA
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, University of Michigan, High School Diploma, Grosse Pointe South High School
- **Known for:** Invented the Apple iPod - led all 18 generations; sold 100M+ units, Co-created the Apple iPhone hardware and foundational software (first 3 generations), Founded Nest Labs; sold to Google for $3.2 billion in 2014

## Career timeline

- **1989-1990** — Reverse-engineered Apple II CPU in high school; sold chips directly to Apple
- **1991** — Graduated from University of Michigan with BS in Computer Engineering
- **1992** — Joined General Magic (Apple spinoff) as diagnostics engineer
- **1995** — Joined Philips Electronics; co-founded Philips Mobile Computing Group
- **1999** — Founded startup Fuse - a hard disk music player concept (precursor to iPod)
- **2001** — Joined Apple; began designing the iPod with a team under Jon Rubinstein
- **2001** — Apple iPod launched - '1,000 songs in your pocket'
- **2004** — Promoted to VP of iPod Engineering at Apple
- **2006** — Promoted to SVP at Apple; began work on iPhone hardware/software
- **2007** — iPhone launched - co-led hardware and foundational software
- **2008** — Left Apple; family sabbatical and world travel
- **2010** — Co-founded Nest Labs with Matt Rogers in Palo Alto
- **2011** — Nest Learning Thermostat launched
- **2014** — Google acquired Nest for $3.2 billion
- **2014** — Named to Time's 100 Most Influential People in the World
- **2016** — Resigned as CEO of Nest Labs
- **2017** — Founded Future Shape (later renamed Build Collective) in Paris
- **2022** — Published 'Build: An Unorthodox Guide to Making Things Worth Making' - NYT Bestseller
- **2024** — Joined Ledger's Board of Directors; had previously designed Ledger Stax crypto wallet
- **2025** — Named inaugural Designer in Residence at MIT Morningside Academy for Design
- **2025** — Invested in Quibim (Series A) and Remedy Robotics (Series A)

## Achievements

- Invented the Apple iPod - led all 18 generations; sold 100M+ units
- Co-created the Apple iPhone hardware and foundational software (first 3 generations)
- Founded Nest Labs; sold to Google for $3.2 billion in 2014
- Holds 300+ patents
- New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author with 'Build' (2022)
- Named to Time's 100 Most Influential People in the World (2014)
- Named MIT Morningside Academy for Design's inaugural Designer in Residence (2025)
- Designed Ledger Stax - world's first curved E Ink display hardware crypto wallet
- Board Member at ARM Holdings
- Golden Plate Award from American Academy of Achievement (presented by George Lucas, 2014)
- Built and coaches Build Collective portfolio of 200+ deep-tech startups
- Received State Award of Armenia - Global High-Tech Award (2017)

## Latest updates

- **2025-01** — Invested in Quibim (Series A) - medical imaging AI startup
- **2025-01** — Named MIT Morningside Academy for Design's inaugural Designer in Residence for Fall 2025/January 2026 term
- **2024-11** — Joined Ledger's Board of Directors; previously designed Ledger Stax (world's first curved E Ink crypto wallet)
- **2025-10** — Invested in Remedy Robotics (Series A)

## Links

- Website: https://www.buildc.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tonyfadell/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/tfadell
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tfadell/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/tony-fadell
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-04-29