Who is Kevin Systrom?
In 2010, Kevin Systrom was a recent graduate of Stanford University with a passion for photography and a talent for coding. Little did he know that his dorm room idea would turn into one of the world’s most popular social media platforms: Instagram. Here’s the story of how Systrom and his team built Instagram from scratch and revolutionized the way we share photos online.
The Early Days
In 2010, Systrom was working on a location-based app called “Burbn.” The app allowed users to check in at different locations and share photos with friends. Systrom noticed that the photo-sharing feature was the most popular part of the app, so he decided to focus on that aspect and create a new app called “Instagram.” The app was launched in October 2010, and it quickly gained popularity among early adopters.
The Tipping Point
In 2011, Instagram hit a major milestone when it reached one million users, just a few months after its launch. The app’s user base continued to grow rapidly, thanks in part to its simple and intuitive design, which allowed users to share photos with just a few taps. Instagram also benefited from its integration with other social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, which helped to spread the word about the app.
Acquisition by Facebook
In 2012, Instagram caught the attention of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, who saw the potential of the app as a complement to Facebook’s existing social media offerings. In April 2012, Facebook announced that it was acquiring Instagram for $1 billion in cash and stock. The acquisition was a huge win for Systrom and his team, and it allowed Instagram to leverage Facebook’s resources and expertise to continue growing and innovating.
Continued Innovation
Under Systrom’s leadership, Instagram continued to innovate and introduce new features that kept users engaged and excited. In 2013, Instagram introduced video sharing, allowing users to upload short videos to the app. In 2016, Instagram introduced “Stories,” a feature that allowed users to share photos and videos that disappeared after 24 hours, a format that was similar to Snapchat. Instagram also introduced shopping features that allowed businesses to sell products directly on the platform, which has become a major revenue source for the company.
The story of Kevin Systrom and Instagram is a testament to the power of innovation and entrepreneurship. Systrom’s vision and creativity have helped to transform the way we share photos online, and his leadership has driven Instagram’s growth and success over the past decade. As Instagram continues to evolve and adapt to changing trends and user behaviors, it’s clear that Systrom and his team have built a platform that will continue to shape the way we connect and share with one another in the years to come.
Photo By: Photo Giddy
