Reddit is one of the world’s most popular online platforms. It’s where millions gather to share news, opinions, and memes. But many still wonder, who owns Reddit?
This article gives a complete look into Reddit’s ownership, its major shareholders, its leadership, and the companies it owns.
History of Reddit
Reddit was founded in June 2005 by Steve Huffman, Alexis Ohanian, and Aaron Swartz. It started as a simple site where users could submit links and vote them up or down.
In 2006, just a year after launch, Reddit was acquired by Condé Nast Publications. The site continued growing steadily, focusing on community-driven content.
In 2011, Reddit was spun off from Condé Nast and became a subsidiary of Advance Publications, its parent company.
This gave it more independence, though Advance Publications remained its primary owner for years.
Since then, Reddit has seen multiple funding rounds, bringing in new investors and raising its valuation.
Who Owns Reddit: Major Shareholders
As of 2025, Reddit is a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol RDDT. The ownership of Reddit is distributed among various institutional investors, venture capital firms, and individual stakeholders.
Below is a list of the top shareholders of Reddit as of 2025:
| Shareholder | Ownership % | Type | Key Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advance Publications, Inc. | 23.3% | Media conglomerate | Largest shareholder; appoints 2 board members; retains strategic control |
| Fidelity Management & Research | 9.61% | Institutional investor | Major institutional backer; involved since late-stage funding rounds |
| Apollo Projects | 9.31% | Private equity | Invested pre-IPO; focused on revenue growth and financial performance |
| Vy Capital | 5.56% | Venture capital | Focused on tech disruption and international growth opportunities |
| Quiet Capital | 5.41% | Venture capital | Early-stage backer; interested in user growth and grassroots platforms |
| Tencent Holdings Ltd. | 3.82% | Tech conglomerate | Non-strategic investor; controversial stake due to Chinese ties |
| Steve Huffman | 2.74% | Individual/Executive | Co-founder and CEO; long-term alignment with company goals |
| T. Rowe Price Investment Mgmt. | 3.08% | Institutional investor | Backed Reddit pre-IPO; long-term financial outlook |
| BlackRock Advisors LLC | 3.09% | Institutional investor | Major post-IPO holder; focuses on ESG and public market discipline |
| D.E. Shaw & Co., Inc. | 3.52% | Hedge fund | Quant-driven investor; sees long-term tech upside |
| Jennison Associates LLC | 2.53% | Institutional investor | Growth-focused investor in digital platforms |
| AllianceBernstein LP | 2.33% | Institutional investor | Interested in emerging internet-based assets |
Advance Publications, Inc.
Advance Publications remains Reddit’s largest and most influential shareholder, holding approximately 23.3% of the company as of 2025. This privately held media company is owned by the Newhouse family and is the parent company of Condé Nast, which originally acquired Reddit in 2006. When Reddit was spun out in 2011, Advance retained control as a majority owner.
Even after Reddit’s IPO in 2024, Advance kept a significant stake and influence. According to Reddit’s governance agreement filed with the SEC, Advance has the right to appoint two board members and a non-voting observer, giving it ongoing strategic control over the company’s direction. Despite dilution through funding rounds, it remains the most powerful single entity in Reddit’s corporate governance.
Fidelity Management & Research Co. LLC
Fidelity is one of Reddit’s largest institutional investors, holding an estimated 9.61% of outstanding shares. The firm became a major player in Reddit’s ownership structure during the pre-IPO funding rounds, especially during the 2021 and 2022 series F rounds that boosted Reddit’s valuation.
Fidelity’s involvement signals institutional confidence in Reddit’s monetization strategies, such as advertising and premium memberships. With its large stake, Fidelity influences key financial decisions and participates in corporate governance through board representation and shareholder voting.
Apollo Projects
Apollo Projects, a branch of Apollo Global Management, owns around 9.31% of Reddit shares. Apollo is a well-known private equity firm with a focus on investing in companies poised for scalable growth. It entered Reddit during a major pre-IPO round in 2023.
Apollo’s interest lies primarily in Reddit’s long-term advertising revenue potential, its rich user data, and the growing relevance of community-driven commerce. As a high-stakes investor, Apollo likely has significant say in acquisition strategy, expense controls, and profit benchmarks.
Vy Capital Management Co. Ltd.
Vy Capital holds approximately 5.56% of Reddit. This global investment firm, based in Dubai, is known for backing disruptive technology platforms. Vy Capital previously invested in companies like SpaceX and Klarna.
Its investment in Reddit is part of a broader strategy to support high-engagement, user-generated content platforms. Vy Capital’s role, while not dominant, supports Reddit’s growth across international markets and product expansion.
Quiet Capital Management LP
Quiet Capital owns 5.41% of Reddit and entered as an early backer during Reddit’s growth stage. Known for investing in tech startups, Quiet Capital focuses on companies with grassroots communities and viral user engagement.
Their investment in Reddit aligns with this theme, and they continue to support initiatives that build Reddit’s value proposition around community authenticity and niche content. While not a board-dominant stakeholder, Quiet likely advises on user retention and monetization pathways.
Tencent Holdings Ltd.
Tencent, the Chinese tech giant, holds an estimated 3.82% of Reddit. It first invested $150 million in a 2019 funding round. This move was controversial in the U.S., due to concerns over content censorship and Chinese influence on an American platform known for free speech.
Tencent does not have board seats or governance privileges, and its influence is believed to be financial rather than strategic. Reddit has publicly reassured its user base that Tencent’s involvement would not impact content policies.
Still, Tencent’s involvement gives Reddit access to insights and partnership opportunities in the Asian tech and advertising markets, where Tencent has major clout.
Steve Huffman (Co-founder and CEO)
Steve Huffman, Reddit’s co-founder and current CEO, owns around 2.74% of the company. As the public face of Reddit’s leadership, Huffman has played a key role in guiding the company’s policy changes, product redesigns, and growth toward IPO.
Huffman returned as CEO in 2015 after a turbulent leadership period and led Reddit through several rounds of fundraising, product revamps, and content moderation improvements. His equity stake ensures he has long-term incentives aligned with Reddit’s future.
T. Rowe Price Investment Management
T. Rowe Price owns about 3.08% of Reddit as of 2025. The investment management firm began acquiring shares during Reddit’s pre-IPO rounds and has continued to hold them post-listing.
T. Rowe Price’s investment reflects confidence in Reddit’s public-market potential, and the firm likely takes an active role in governance decisions related to financial discipline, investor communication, and long-term planning.
BlackRock Advisors LLC
BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, holds roughly 3.09% of Reddit’s shares. Its stake was acquired after Reddit’s IPO in 2024.
BlackRock’s involvement offers Reddit institutional credibility, especially among public market investors. It also ensures Reddit is subject to high expectations around ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) standards and corporate transparency.
D.E. Shaw & Co., Inc.
Quantitative hedge fund D.E. Shaw owns about 3.52% of Reddit shares. Known for its data-driven investment strategies, D.E. Shaw likely sees Reddit as a high-growth tech asset with strong long-term upside, especially if it scales its advertising technology and content partnerships.
Jennison Associates LLC
Jennison Associates holds around 2.53% of Reddit. As a long-term institutional investor, Jennison focuses on companies with sustained growth metrics, especially in the digital economy.
Their involvement suggests Reddit is viewed as a platform with scalable user engagement and untapped monetization channels, including AI-driven recommendation systems and social commerce.
AllianceBernstein LP
AllianceBernstein holds about 2.33% of Reddit shares. Known for its diverse portfolio in emerging tech, AllianceBernstein’s investment suggests Reddit fits its strategy for exposure to high-potential internet platforms.
Its stake may be modest, but as with other institutions, its votes and influence matter during shareholder meetings and executive decisions.
Who is the CEO of Reddit?
As of 2025, Reddit is led by co-founder and CEO Steve Huffman, who has been instrumental in steering the company through significant transformations, including its public listing and strategic initiatives.
Steve Huffman’s Leadership
Steve Huffman co-founded Reddit in 2005 alongside Alexis Ohanian and Aaron Swartz. After a period away from the company, Huffman returned as CEO in 2015, aiming to revitalize Reddit’s culture and business model. He emphasized the need for a stronger work ethic and a shift from idealism to pragmatism, focusing on user satisfaction and business sustainability.
Under his leadership, Reddit has embraced technological advancements, including AI-driven enhancements to improve user experience and content discovery. Huffman has also overseen the introduction of monetization strategies, such as paywalls for exclusive subreddit content, balancing free access with new revenue streams.
Decision-Making Structure
Reddit operates with a structured leadership team, including:
- Steve Huffman: Chief Executive Officer
- Jen Wong: Chief Operating Officer, overseeing business strategy
- Drew Vollero: Chief Financial Officer
- Chris Slowe: Chief Technology Officer.
The company is guided by a Board of Directors, which includes:
- Michael Seibel: Y Combinator partner, appointed to the board in 2020
- Patricia Fili-Krushel: Media executive with experience at NBCUniversal and Time Warner.
This governance structure ensures that Reddit’s strategic decisions are informed by a diverse set of experiences and expertise.
Past Leadership
Before Huffman’s return in 2015, Reddit experienced several leadership changes. Ellen Pao served as interim CEO, focusing on content moderation and community management. Her tenure was marked by significant policy changes aimed at improving the platform’s inclusivity and safety.
Huffman’s reinstatement brought a renewed focus on product development, monetization, and scaling Reddit’s operations to meet the demands of a growing user base.
Who Controls Reddit?
While Reddit is a publicly traded company, control is influenced by share ownership and governance rights.
Steve Huffman’s Ownership
Steve Huffman holds a significant stake in Reddit, beneficially owning 62.4 million Class A shares, which constitute approximately 61.5% of that share class. This substantial ownership grants him considerable influence over the company’s strategic direction and decision-making processes.
Institutional and Major Shareholders
Reddit’s ownership is also distributed among various institutional investors and stakeholders:
- Advance Publications: Retains a significant stake, reflecting its long-term investment since acquiring Reddit in 2006.
- Fidelity Management & Research: A major institutional investor, indicating confidence in Reddit’s growth potential.
- Tencent Holdings Ltd: Holds a notable stake, highlighting Reddit’s appeal to global investors.
These stakeholders, along with others, play a role in shaping Reddit’s policies and strategic initiatives through their investment and participation in corporate governance.
Annual Revenue and Net Worth of Reddit
In 2024, Reddit reported a total revenue of $1.3 billion, marking a 62% increase from the previous year. This growth was primarily driven by a 50% rise in advertising revenue, totaling $1.2 billion, and an additional $114.7 million from other sources, including premium memberships and data licensing.
Despite this impressive revenue growth, Reddit recorded a net loss of $484.3 million for the year. However, the company’s Adjusted EBITDA improved significantly to $298 million, indicating better operational efficiency. The gross margin also saw an improvement, reaching 90.5%, up from 86.2% in the previous year.
The fourth quarter of 2024 was particularly strong for Reddit, with revenue increasing by 71% year-over-year to $427.7 million. The company achieved a net income of $71 million, representing 16.6% of revenue, and an Adjusted EBITDA of $154.3 million. These figures underscore Reddit’s potential for sustained profitability.
As of May 2025, Reddit’s market capitalization stands at approximately $18.98 billion, with a stock price of $107.83. The company has a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 162.27 and an earnings per share (EPS) of $4.99.
This valuation reflects investor confidence in Reddit’s growth trajectory, bolstered by its expanding user base and successful monetization strategies.
Here’s an overview of the historical revenue and net worth of Reddit:
| Year | Estimated Revenue (USD) | Estimated Net Worth / Valuation (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | ~$12 million | ~$500 million (post-Alexis Ohanian return) |
| 2016 | ~$20 million | ~$1.0 billion (valued during Series B) |
| 2017 | ~$35 million | ~$1.8 billion |
| 2018 | ~$60 million | ~$3.0 billion (Tencent investment begins) |
| 2019 | ~$100 million | ~$3.5 billion |
| 2020 | ~$170 million | ~$6.0 billion (Series E funding) |
| 2021 | ~$350 million | ~$10 billion (SoftBank-led round) |
| 2022 | ~$450 million | ~$10.5 billion |
| 2023 | ~$800 million | ~$11.0 billion |
| 2024 | $1.3 billion | ~$15.5 billion (pre-IPO valuation) |
| 2025 | Estimated $1.7 billion | $18.98 billion (Market Cap) |
Companies Owned by Reddit
As of 2025, Reddit has strategically expanded its portfolio through acquisitions and internal developments, enhancing its capabilities in advertising, video content, and community engagement.
Below is a detailed overview of the companies and brands under Reddit’s ownership:
| Company/Brand | Year Acquired/Launched | Description | Purpose/Impact | Status as of 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memorable | 2024 | AI-based creative optimization platform | Helps advertisers improve ad performance through predictive analysis | Active and integrated into Reddit Ads |
| Dubsmash | 2020 | Short-form video platform with strong diverse creator base | Strengthened Reddit’s native video content capabilities | Technology integrated into Reddit; brand deprecated |
| Alien Blue | 2014 | Popular third-party Reddit client for iOS | Became the foundation for Reddit’s official iOS app | Discontinued; replaced by Reddit’s in-house mobile app |
| RedditGifts | 2011 | Online gift exchange and community event platform | Encouraged user engagement through themed gift exchanges | Discontinued in 2022 |
| Digg (co-founder led) | 2025 (revival, not direct Reddit acquisition) | Social news aggregator co-acquired by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian | AI-human hybrid model for curated news; adjacent to Reddit’s ecosystem | Revived independently; Reddit has no formal ownership |
Memorable
Acquired in August 2024, Memorable is an AI-driven creative optimization platform that assists marketers in enhancing ad performance. By integrating Memorable’s tools, Reddit aims to provide advertisers with insights into creative effectiveness, enabling better campaign planning and higher returns on ad spend.
Dubsmash
In December 2020, Reddit acquired Dubsmash, a short-form video platform known for its diverse creator base. This acquisition aimed to bolster Reddit’s video capabilities, allowing users to create and share video content directly on the platform. Dubsmash’s technology has been instrumental in enhancing Reddit’s video features, particularly in supporting underrepresented creators.
Alien Blue
Alien Blue was a popular third-party Reddit client for iOS, acquired by Reddit in October 2014. Post-acquisition, it became the official Reddit app for iOS until it was replaced by a new, in-house developed Reddit application in 2016. Alien Blue’s user-friendly interface and features significantly influenced the design of Reddit’s current mobile applications.
RedditGifts
RedditGifts was an online gift exchange platform that facilitated user-to-user gift exchanges, including the famous Secret Santa program. Reddit acquired the platform in August 2011, and it became a hallmark of Reddit’s community engagement initiatives. However, RedditGifts was discontinued in January 2022 as the company shifted focus to other community-building strategies.
Digg (Partial Ownership)
In March 2025, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, alongside Digg founder Kevin Rose, reacquired Digg, a once-prominent news aggregator. While Reddit as a company does not own Digg, Ohanian’s involvement signifies a strategic interest in revitalizing community-driven news platforms. The new Digg aims to combine AI tools with human moderation to deliver curated content to mobile users.
Final Thoughts
Reddit is no longer the scrappy startup it once was. It has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar company with a diverse ownership structure. So, who owns Reddit? Primarily, it’s Advance Publications, but now, Reddit is backed by major investors like Fidelity, Tencent, and Sequoia. It’s run by Steve Huffman, who guides Reddit toward an IPO and future expansion.
FAQs
Who currently owns Reddit?
Reddit is a publicly traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol RDDT. Its ownership is distributed among institutional investors, individual shareholders, executives, and early stakeholders. No single entity has complete control, but Advance Publications, the parent company of Condé Nast, remains the largest shareholder.
Who are the major shareholders of Reddit?
As of 2025, the major shareholders of Reddit include:
- Advance Publications (via Condé Nast): Largest shareholder with significant influence
- Tencent: Holds a notable minority stake from a 2019 investment
- Sam Altman: Investor and OpenAI CEO, holding over 9%
- Sequoia Capital and Andreessen Horowitz: Prominent venture capital firms with early and continued investments
- Fidelity Investments and BlackRock: Institutional shareholders after the IPO
- Steve Huffman (CEO): Holds founder shares and Class B voting stock
- Alexis Ohanian (Co-founder): Retains founder shares with high voting power
How much did Alexis Ohanian sell Reddit for?
Alexis Ohanian didn’t sell Reddit in a one-time transaction. He stepped away from day-to-day operations and later from the board, but he retained significant shares and super-voting rights. The company was originally sold to Condé Nast in 2006 for a reported $10–20 million, but Ohanian and other founders stayed involved in various capacities.
Does Reddit make a profit?
As of 2025, Reddit is not consistently profitable. It reported a net loss of $484.3 million in 2024, despite reaching $1.3 billion in revenue. However, its Adjusted EBITDA was positive at $298 million, and it reported net income in Q4 2024, indicating improving operational efficiency and the potential for future profitability.
Why did Alexis Ohanian leave Reddit?
Alexis Ohanian left Reddit’s board in June 2020, calling for a Black candidate to replace him in response to the George Floyd protests. He cited a moral responsibility and a desire to help fight racial injustice. While he no longer holds a board position, he still retains founder shares and voting power.
Does Condé Nast still own Reddit?
Condé Nast no longer owns Reddit directly. However, its parent company, Advance Publications, remains Reddit’s largest shareholder and retains substantial influence, particularly through Class B shares with enhanced voting power.
Who are the original owners of Reddit?
Reddit was founded in 2005 by Steve Huffman, Alexis Ohanian, and Aaron Swartz. All three played key roles in building the platform before it was sold to Condé Nast.
How much did Condé Nast pay for Reddit?
Condé Nast acquired Reddit in October 2006 for a reported sum between $10 million and $20 million. The exact figure was never officially disclosed.
Who founded Reddit?
Reddit was founded in June 2005 by Steve Huffman, Alexis Ohanian, and later joined by Aaron Swartz, whose company (Infogami) merged with Reddit soon after launch.
Who created Reddit?
Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian created Reddit during their time at the University of Virginia. Aaron Swartz became involved after a merger with his project, Infogami, contributing heavily to its early technical architecture.
Is Reddit owned by Google?
No, Reddit is not owned by Google. It is an independent public company as of 2024. Google has never owned Reddit, although Reddit content is widely indexed by Google’s search engine.
Does Tencent own Reddit?
Tencent owns a minority stake in Reddit, estimated to be less than 10%.