Reed Hastings is an American entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the co-founder and CEO of Netflix, the world's leading streaming entertainment service.
Reed Hastings is an American entrepreneur and philanthropist best known for co-founding the streaming media company Netflix. He is also the founder of the education non-profit organization, the Hastings Fund.
Hastings was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1960. He attended Bowdoin College, where he earned a degree in mathematics and computer science. After college, he worked as a software developer for several companies, including Adaptive Technology, Pure Software, and Microsoft.
In 1997, Hastings co-founded Netflix with Marc Randolph. The company began as a DVD-by-mail rental service and has since grown to become one of the world’s largest streaming media companies. Hastings served as CEO of Netflix from 1998 to 2020, when he stepped down and was replaced by Ted Sarandos.
In addition to his work with Netflix, Hastings is also a philanthropist. He founded the Hastings Fund in 2000, which provides grants to organizations that focus on education reform. He has also donated millions of dollars to various causes, including the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Red Cross, and the United Negro College Fund.
Hastings has been recognized for his work with numerous awards, including the National Technology Medal of Honor, the Bower Award for Business Leadership, and the Peabody Award for Excellence in Television. He was also named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2010.