Computer Science: Changing the World vs. Making Money
Hadi Partovi (Co-founder of non-profit Code.org, Entrepreneur)
CSE Distinguished Lecture Series
Tuesday, October 28, 2014, 3:30pm
Atrium, Paul G Allen Center for Computer Science & Engineering
Abstract
Computer Science is a field with limitless possibilities.
It is often seen as the gateway to creating the next amazing tech startup, and some students are lured by the dream of riches - the hope of inventing the next Instagram-like billion-dollar overnight success.
It is also, though, a field that lies at the heart of addressing many of our national and global challenges. Many of the ways in which Computer Science is changing our world involve bridging the brick-and-mortar "old" world world with the new world of tech, creating new opportunities not only to make lots of money, but also to have major social impact.
As somebody who has been involved founding and advising tech startups, working at one of the largest companies, and also having founded a nonprofit, Hadi Partovi has a unique vantage point on how a career in computer science could be used to make money, for social impact, or for both, simultaneously.
Undergraduates contemplating their careers should make a special effort to join the "regular" faculty and graduate student audience at this talk.
Bio
A graduate of Harvard University, Hadi Partovi began his career during the browser wars in the 1990s, when he was Microsoft's Group Program Manager for Internet Explorer. After the release of IE 5.0, Hadi left Microsoft to co-found Tellme Networks. Tellme was acquired by Microsoft, and Hadi returned to run the MSN portal for its only year of profit, where he delivered 30% annual growth and incubated Start.com.
After leaving Microsoft a second time, Hadi co-founded iLike with twin brother Ali Partovi, and together they built the leading music application on the Facebook platform. In 2009, iLike was acquired by MySpace, where both Partovis worked as Senior Vice Presidents.
Today Hadi is an angel investor and strategic advisor whose portfolio includes Facebook, Dropbox, airbnb, Zappos, OPOWER, IndieGogo, Bluekai, and many others. He is also co-founder of the education non-profit Code.org, whose mission is to make computer science available in every school in the nation.