From Harvard to Silicon Valley: Discover How the Five Founders of Facebook Built Different Paths Among Billionaire Fortunes, Social Activism, and Innovative Companies
It’s hard to talk about Mark Zuckerberg without thinking about Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. These apps are controlled by Meta, the company he co-founded, where he serves as chairman, CEO, and majority shareholder. But it’s important to remember that the project started in a Harvard dorm room in the early 2000s and was not the work of a single person.
Alongside Zuckerberg, four other students also helped create the world’s most famous social network. Next, check out where the other Facebook founders are and what they do.
Dustin Moskovitz
Dustin Moskovitz was studying economics at Harvard when he decided to drop out to dedicate himself to Facebook.
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He helped hire engineers and took on technical leadership roles. In 2008, he left the project and co-founded Asana, a productivity platform used globally.
According to Forbes, Moskovitz now has over US$15 billion, ranking among the 150 richest people on the planet.
In addition, he and his wife, Cari Tuna, maintain Open Philanthropy, a foundation focused on social projects. Despite his wealth, he leads a discreet life in San Francisco.
Eduardo Saverin
The Brazilian Eduardo Saverin was a key player in the origin of Facebook. He invested about US$19,000 to support the servers and ensure the platform’s initial growth.
However, the partnership with Zuckerberg ended in 2005 amidst legal disputes that were even depicted in the film The Social Network.
Saverin moved to Singapore, renounced his U.S. citizenship, and became a venture capitalist, seeking high returns on the projects in which he invests.
Today, at 42, he is the richest man in Singapore, with an estimated fortune of US$31.9 billion, ranking 56th on Forbes’ list.
Andrew McCollum
Andrew McCollum was a classmate of Zuckerberg and was responsible for Facebook’s first web interface.
He also left Harvard to work on the network, but returned to university in 2006 and completed a degree in computer science.
Over the years, he invested in Silicon Valley startups and became the CEO of Philo, a streaming service focused on live and on-demand TV channels. At 41, McCollum leads a more discreet life than his billionaire former classmates.
Chris Hughes
Chris Hughes was also part of Facebook’s initial team. After finishing his studies at Harvard, he served as the company’s spokesperson.
In 2007, he changed fields and began working on Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. He helped create the digital platform that mobilized millions of volunteers and donors.
Later, Hughes purchased The New Republic magazine. Today, at 40, he has an estimated fortune of US$430 million.
Married to activist Sean Eldridge, he is dedicated to social causes and the debate on economic inequality in the United States.
Mark Zuckerberg
While the others took different paths, Mark Zuckerberg remained at the helm of the company.
Under his leadership, Facebook bought Instagram in 2012, WhatsApp in 2014, and rebranded as Meta in 2021.
This new phase reflected the investment in the metaverse and advancements in artificial intelligence. At 40, Zuckerberg has a fortune exceeding US$100 billion, remaining among the most influential figures in the tech sector.
Creation of Facebook: A Collective Legacy
Although Zuckerberg is the most recognized face, Facebook’s journey included contributions from other talents.
Therefore, the success of the social network that connects billions of people was born from a combination of shared ideas and efforts.
Moreover, the five founders show that each choice leads to different outcomes. From discreet billionaires to engaged activists, all have left their mark in the history of technology.
With information from Xataka.

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