The sale of YouTube to Google in 2006 for 1.65 billion dollars secured Steve Chen’s standing in the technology sector. As a co-founder and the company's chief technology officer, he played a central role in the platform's early expansion, managing the technical infrastructure that facilitated rapid user growth during the mid-2000s.
Early Education and Migration
Born in Taipei, Taiwan, in 1978, Chen moved to the United States in 1986. He settled in Arlington Heights, Illinois, where he attended Thomas Middle School and John Hersey High School. For his final three years of secondary education, he enrolled at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora. He later attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to study computer science, departing the institution in 1999 to pursue opportunities in Silicon Valley.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Founding YouTube and Career Transitions
Prior to co-founding YouTube with Chad Hurley and Jawed Karim in 2005, Chen worked at PayPal, where he established professional relationships with his future partners. He briefly held a position at Facebook before dedicating his efforts to YouTube. Following the acquisition of the platform by Google, he co-founded AVOS Systems, Inc., which acquired Delicious from Yahoo! Inc. His subsequent ventures included building MixBit and establishing the live-streaming food network Nom.com in 2016, which closed in 2017. In 2014, he joined Google Ventures.
Professional Recognition and Personal Life
Chen has received significant professional and state recognition throughout his career. In 2018, he was inducted as a Laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois and received the Order of Lincoln. He was also named one of the 15 Asian Scientists To Watch in 2011 and awarded Asia's Most Influential Taiwan in 2021. In 2009, he married Jamie Chen, a former Google Korea product marketing manager. The couple, who have two children, relocated to Taipei in August 2019. Chen is a member of the Committee of 100.
Fast facts
- Born: 1978, Taipei
- Citizenship: Taiwan
- Notable Employer: PayPal, Google
- Education: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- YouTube Sale Price: 1.65 billion dollars
- Spouse: Jamie Chen
- Member of: Committee of 100
- Award: Order of Lincoln (2018)
Questions readers ask
What was Steve Chen's role at YouTube?
He served as a co-founder and the company's chief technology officer.
Did Steve Chen work at Facebook?
Yes, he was an early employee at Facebook, but he left after several months to start YouTube.
Where does Steve Chen reside?
He moved to Taipei, Taiwan, in August 2019.
Achievements
- Affiliated with Google and PayPal
- Educated at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, John Hersey High School and Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy
- Worked as computer scientist, businessperson and engineer
