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Person

Sam Altman

Sam Altman is a co-founder and the chief executive of OpenAI.[1]independent sourceSam Altman puts $375 million into Helion EnergyCNBCCNBC describes Sam Altman as co-founder and chief executive of OpenAI, which he co-founded with Elon Musk and others.CheckedOpen original source

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01

Core facts

Entity type
Person
Date of birth
22 April 1985[2]structured public data sourceSam Altman — WikidataWikidataWikidata P569 dates the birth of Sam Altman.CheckedOpen original source
Place of birth
Chicago[2]structured public data sourceSam Altman — WikidataWikidataWikidata P19 names the birth place of Sam Altman.CheckedOpen original source
Nationality
United States[2]structured public data sourceSam Altman — WikidataWikidataWikidata P27 names the nationality of Sam Altman.CheckedOpen original source
Occupations
entrepreneur, investor, chief executive officer[1]independent sourceSam Altman puts $375 million into Helion EnergyCNBCCNBC calls him a Silicon Valley investor and chief executive of OpenAI.CheckedOpen original source
Official website
blog.samaltman.com[4]official sourceSam Altman returns as CEOOpenAIOpenAI published on 29 November 2023 that Sam Altman was returning as chief executive. His own site is blog.samaltman.com.CheckedOpen original source

02

Who is Sam Altman?[1]independent sourceSam Altman puts $375 million into Helion EnergyCNBCThe same article says he was president of Y Combinator from 2014 through 2019 and is chief executive of OpenAI, which he co-founded.CheckedOpen original source

Sam Altman is a co-founder and the chief executive of OpenAI. He was president of Y Combinator from 2014 through 2019.

03

History

  1. Loopt, a location-based app, was founded in 2005. Sam Altman was its chief executive at the time of its sale.[7]independent sourceGreen Dot buys location app Loopt for $43.4 millionAllThingsDAllThingsD says Loopt was founded in 2005 and quotes Loopt chief executive Sam Altman.CheckedOpen original source

  2. Worked as a part-time partner at Y Combinator.[3]independent sourceSam Altman taking over as president of Y CombinatorTechCrunchTechCrunch says he had worked as a part-time Y Combinator partner since 2011.CheckedOpen original source

  3. Green Dot agreed to acquire Loopt for $43.4 million, including $9.8 million in employee retention payments.[7]independent sourceGreen Dot buys location app Loopt for $43.4 millionAllThingsDAllThingsD reports a $43.4 million cash deal, including $9.8 million in retention payments.CheckedOpen original source

  4. Paul Graham announced that Sam Altman had agreed to become president of Y Combinator, starting the next batch.[8]official sourceSam Altman for PresidentY CombinatorPaul Graham wrote that Sam Altman had agreed to become president of Y Combinator starting the next batch.CheckedOpen original source

  5. TechCrunch reported that Reddit chief executive Yishan Wong had resigned after a disagreement with the board. Sam Altman, then president of Y Combinator, described that disagreement.[9]independent sourceEx-Reddit CEO wanted to move the company to Daly CityTechCrunchTechCrunch reported Wong resignation and quoted Sam Altman, then Y Combinator president, on the board disagreement about moving the office.CheckedOpen original source

  6. OpenAI was publicly announced as a nonprofit. TechCrunch named Sam Altman and Elon Musk as its co-chairs.[10]independent sourceNonprofit OpenAI launches with backing from Elon Musk and Sam AltmanTechCrunchTechCrunch reported the nonprofit launch and named Sam Altman and Elon Musk as co-chairs.CheckedOpen original source

  7. Stepped down as president of Y Combinator and moved to a chairman role, to focus on OpenAI.[11]independent sourceY Combinator president Sam Altman is stepping downTechCrunchTechCrunch reported that he would focus on OpenAI, where he co-chaired, and step down as Y Combinator president.CheckedOpen original source

  8. AltC Acquisition, a blank-check company, was formed by Michael Klein and Sam Altman. Renaissance Capital named Klein chief executive and chairman, and Altman executive officer.[12]independent sourceSPAC AltC Acquisition files for a $1 billion IPORenaissance CapitalRenaissance Capital says AltC was formed by Michael Klein and Sam Altman, with Klein as chief executive and chairman and Altman as executive officer.CheckedOpen original source

  9. OpenAI board said Sam Altman would depart as chief executive and leave the board. Mira Murati was named interim chief executive.[13]official sourceOpenAI announces leadership transitionOpenAIOpenAI announced that Sam Altman would depart as chief executive and leave the board, with Mira Murati as interim chief executive.CheckedOpen original source

  10. Sam Altman said he was returning to OpenAI as chief executive. The new initial board was Bret Taylor, Larry Summers, and Adam D'Angelo.[4]official sourceSam Altman returns as CEOOpenAISam Altman wrote that he was returning as chief executive, with a new initial board of Bret Taylor, Larry Summers, and Adam DAngelo.CheckedOpen original source

  11. Stepped down as chairman of Oklo, a position the American Nuclear Society said he had held since 2015.[14]independent sourceSam Altman steps down as Oklo board chairAmerican Nuclear SocietyThe American Nuclear Society reported the 24 April 2025 resignation and said he had chaired Oklo since 2015.CheckedOpen original source

04

Products

Altc Acquisition
Blank-check company formed in 2021 by Michael Klein and Sam Altman.[12]independent sourceSPAC AltC Acquisition files for a $1 billion IPORenaissance CapitalRenaissance Capital describes AltC as a blank-check company formed by Michael Klein and Sam Altman in 2021.CheckedOpen original source
Chatgpt
OpenAI launched ChatGPT on 30 November 2022.[6]official sourceReflectionsSam AltmanSam Altman wrote that OpenAI launched ChatGPT on 30 November 2022.CheckedOpen original source
Loopt
Location-based app founded in 2005. Sam Altman was its chief executive.[7]independent sourceGreen Dot buys location app Loopt for $43.4 millionAllThingsDAllThingsD describes Loopt as a mobile location startup founded in 2005, with Sam Altman as chief executive.CheckedOpen original source
Openai
CNBC described him as a co-founder of OpenAI, with Elon Musk and others.[1]independent sourceSam Altman puts $375 million into Helion EnergyCNBCCNBC says he co-founded OpenAI with Elon Musk and others.CheckedOpen original source

05

Leadership

Altc Acquisition
Executive officer. Renaissance Capital named Michael Klein chief executive and chairman.[12]independent sourceSPAC AltC Acquisition files for a $1 billion IPORenaissance CapitalRenaissance Capital names Sam Altman executive officer and Michael Klein chief executive and chairman.CheckedOpen original source
Helion Energy
Board chair. GeekWire wrote that he became chairman the year after recruiting the company to Y Combinator in 2014.[15]independent sourceOpenAI reportedly in talks with Helion EnergyGeekWireGeekWire calls him Helion board chair and says he became chairman the year after recruiting the company to Y Combinator in 2014.CheckedOpen original source
Loopt
Chief executive at the time of the 2012 sale to Green Dot.[7]independent sourceGreen Dot buys location app Loopt for $43.4 millionAllThingsDThe interview identifies Sam Altman as Loopt chief executive.CheckedOpen original source
Oklo
Chairman from 2015 until 24 April 2025.[14]independent sourceSam Altman steps down as Oklo board chairAmerican Nuclear SocietyThe American Nuclear Society reported on 24 April 2025 that he was stepping down as Oklo chair, a role it said he had held since 2015.CheckedOpen original source
Role
Chief executive of OpenAI. He said on 29 November 2023 that he was returning to that role.[4]official sourceSam Altman returns as CEOOpenAISam Altman wrote that he was returning to OpenAI as chief executive.CheckedOpen original source
Y Combinator President
President from 21 February 2014 until he stepped down on 8 March 2019.[8]official sourceSam Altman for PresidentY CombinatorPaul Graham announced the presidency on 21 February 2014.CheckedOpen original source [11]independent sourceY Combinator president Sam Altman is stepping downTechCrunchTechCrunch reported on 8 March 2019 that he was stepping down as president and moving to a chairman role.CheckedOpen original source

06

Ownership

Helion 2015
Personal investment of $9.5 million in Helion Energy in 2015.[1]independent sourceSam Altman puts $375 million into Helion EnergyCNBCCNBC wrote that his first investment in Helion was $9.5 million in 2015.CheckedOpen original source
Helion 2021
Personal investment of $375 million in Helion Energy in 2021. Altman told CNBC it was the biggest investment he had ever made.[1]independent sourceSam Altman puts $375 million into Helion EnergyCNBCCNBC reported the $375 million investment and quoted Altman calling it the biggest investment he had ever made.CheckedOpen original source
Reddit Voting Power
9.2 percent of Reddit voting power ahead of the 2024 initial public offering, as reported from the company prospectus.[16]independent sourceOpenAI CEO Sam Altman stands to net millions as Reddit goes publicCNBCCNBC reported that the Reddit prospectus showed Sam Altman holding 9.2 percent of voting power.CheckedOpen original source

07

Related entities

  • createdOpenAI[1]independent sourceSam Altman puts $375 million into Helion EnergyCNBCCNBC describes Sam Altman as a co-founder of OpenAI, with Elon Musk and others.CheckedOpen original source

08

Sources

Reference numbers stay stable across this page and each source appears once, ordered by first visible use.

  2. Sam Altman — Wikidata

    Wikidata · structured public data source

  4. Sam Altman returns as CEO

    OpenAI · official source

  5. Sam Altman

    blog.samaltman.com · official source

  6. Reflections

    Sam Altman · official source

  8. Sam Altman for President

    Y Combinator · official source

  12. SPAC AltC Acquisition files for a $1 billion IPO

    Renaissance Capital · independent source

  14. Sam Altman steps down as Oklo board chair

    American Nuclear Society · independent source

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