Pierre is an entrepreneur and philanthropist best known as the founder of eBay, an online platform that gives people equal access to information, opportunity, and tools to pursue their goals. Pierre created eBay in 1995 on the premise that people are basically good, and continues to serve on the board of directors. Today, eBay enables more than 90 million buyers and sellers to connect and prosper over shared interests.
After eBay became a public company in 1998, Pierre and his wife Pam co-founded the Omidyar Foundation to support nonprofits. Simultaneously, eBay’s vast scale and accelerating social impact were demonstrating that business could also be an effective tool for creating social good. In response, they broadened their scope in 2004 to form a new entity, Omidyar Network, to make investments in for-profit companies as well as nonprofit organizations.
By supporting innovative, market-based approaches, Omidyar Network creates opportunity for individuals to connect with others and discover their power to make a difference in the world. Pierre provides Omidyar Network’s strategic vision, stemming from his values and innovative approach to investing for social good. Omidyar Network is part of The Omidyar Group. For more information about the Omidyars’ personal, professional and philanthropic interests, visit www.omidyargroup.com.
The Omidyars’ philanthropic activities are driven by a deeply rooted belief in humanity, and a conviction that the world thrives when we prioritize treating others with compassion, dignity, and a respect for diversity. They have contributed more than $1 billion to programs spanning a range of causes, from poverty alleviation to human rights to disaster relief. In 2011, Pierre and Pam were honored with the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy for the lasting impact of their work.
Pierre serves as a trustee of Tufts University, Santa Fe Institute, and Punahou School. Pierre is also CEO and publisher of Honolulu Civil Beat, a local news service in Hawaii that encourages greater civic participation through media. An American who was born in Paris, France, Pierre moved to the U.S. during grade school and now lives in Honolulu, Hawaii with his wife and three children.