Founded in 2002 by Reid Hoffman and co-founders, LinkedIn is the world's largest professional networking platform, connecting professionals, employers, and businesses across more than 200 countries. It has operated as a Microsoft subsidiary since 2016.
Official LinkedIn Careers Website
Quick Facts
- Founded
- 2002
- Founder
- Reid Hoffman
- Headquarters
- Sunnyvale, California
- Parent
- Microsoft (since 2016)
About LinkedIn
LinkedIn was founded in December 2002 in Mountain View, California by Reid Hoffman and co-founders including Allen Blue, Konstantin Guericke, Eric Ly, and Jean-Luc Vaillant. The platform launched publicly in May 2003. LinkedIn listed on the NYSE in May 2011 -- the first major US social media company to go public.
Microsoft acquired LinkedIn for $26.2 billion in December 2016. LinkedIn operates as an independently managed subsidiary. Its platform serves professionals seeking career opportunities, companies recruiting talent, marketers reaching professional audiences, and individuals learning new skills through LinkedIn Learning.
What LinkedIn Does
Talent Solutions
Recruiting tools and employer branding products for HR teams and talent acquisition professionals.
Marketing Solutions
Advertising and sponsored content products for B2B marketers reaching LinkedIn's professional audience.
Premium Subscriptions
Premium Career and Sales Navigator subscriptions for individual professionals and sales teams.
LinkedIn Learning
Online learning platform with thousands of professional development courses.
Career Areas
Types of professional roles found inside LinkedIn.
- Software Engineering
- Data Science & Analytics
- Product Management
- Sales & Business Development
- Marketing
- Finance
- Legal
- People Operations
LinkedIn's History
- 2002Founded
LinkedIn founded in Mountain View, California by Reid Hoffman and co-founders.
- 2003Platform launches publicly
LinkedIn.com launches to the public in May 2003.
- 2011IPO on NYSE
LinkedIn IPO on NYSE -- the first major US social media company to list publicly.
- 2016Acquired by Microsoft
Microsoft acquires LinkedIn for $26.2 billion.
- 2023One billion members
LinkedIn surpasses one billion members worldwide.
Purpose & Values
“To connect the world's professionals to make them more productive and successful”
