Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger: The Masterminds Behind Instagram
Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, the brilliant minds behind the creation of Instagram, came together to bring this iconic app to life. Let’s delve into their backgrounds and the journey that led to the birth of Instagram.
Kevin Systrom’s Background
Born on December 30, 1983, in San Francisco, California, Kevin Systrom hails from a family with a strong professional background. His mother worked as a marketing executive at ZipCar, while his father held the position of Vice President for Human Resources at TJX Companies Inc.
Kevin’s educational journey took him to Stanford University, where he pursued studies in science and engineering. He kickstarted his career as a marketing associate at Google and later transitioned to become a product manager at a startup. His career trajectory eventually led him to the world of online communities.
Mike Krieger’s Journey
Mike Krieger, originally from Sao Paulo, Brazil, embarked on an intriguing school project called “Send me some sunshine.” The project aimed to help people living in sunnier regions combat seasonal sadness by sharing images with those in cloudier areas.
While Mike lacked a formal computer science background, he embarked on a journey to learn coding while working at NextStop.
The Birth of Instagram — From Burbn to Scotch
The inception of Instagram can be traced back to the development of a website prototype called Burbn, which bore conceptual similarities to Facebook. This is where Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger first crossed paths. Their shared enthusiasm for Burbn laid the foundation for their creative collaboration.
As their project progressed, they noticed the growing popularity of the photo-sharing feature. Recognizing its potential, they decided to pivot and create a new project using a prototype named Scotch.
With these details in mind, it’s evident that Kevin and Mike were the original brains behind Instagram’s creation, even before it became part of the Facebook family.
The Ownership Transition — Facebook’s Acquisition
Now, let’s explore the transition of Instagram’s ownership.
Mark Zuckerberg’s Interest in Instagram
Mark Zuckerberg, intrigued by Instagram’s meteoric rise in popularity, initiated discussions to acquire the platform. As a part of the acquisition deal, Kevin Systrom, Instagram’s CEO, was granted full autonomy over the company’s expansion.
Facebook’s Acquisition of Instagram
On April 9, 2012, Facebook, Inc. acquired Instagram for an impressive $1 billion in cash and stocks, despite Instagram having only 13 employees at the time. Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger assumed senior roles within Facebook, Inc. to oversee Instagram’s development and implementation.
Integration and New Features
The integration of Instagram into Facebook’s ecosystem led to the introduction of new features, including video sharing, Instagram Direct Messaging, and Instagram broadcasts.
In 2019, Facebook’s founders made the decision to step down.
Instagram at a Glance — Key Facts
Now that we’ve covered Instagram’s origin and ownership, let’s highlight some key facts about this iconic platform.
Essential Instagram Facts
- Instagram achieved astonishing popularity, reaching 1 million users within two months of its launch.
- Users on Instagram upload nearly 995 new photos every second.
- Over 90% of Instagram users follow at least one brand.
- Among social networking apps, Instagram boasts one of the highest levels of user engagement.
- In the United States, 25 to 34-year-olds make up a significant 31.4% of Instagram’s user base.
- The Stories feature on Instagram sees over 500 million daily users, showcasing its widespread appeal.
