John Kobs

Inventing Tomorrow’s Nostalgia

J. Douglass Kobs is a prominent entrepreneur known for his role as the CEO, Founder, and Chairman of Apartment List, a leading online marketplace for apartment rentals. He co-founded Apartment List in September 2011, aiming to improve the rental experience for both renters and landlords. The company was launched at TechCrunch Disrupt and has since grown significantly, helping over 790,000 families find homes.1 5

Kobs' journey in the real estate sector began during the Great Recession when he pivoted from a brokerage model to focusing on rental housing after experiencing personal challenges in finding housing in New York City. This experience fueled his passion for creating a platform that offers better options for renters.1 4

In addition to his role at Apartment List, Kobs has been involved with other ventures, including serving as the CEO and Founder of Wildxyz and holding a position on the Board of Trustees at Case Western Reserve University. He stepped down as the operating CEO of Apartment List in March 2022 but continues to serve as its Chairman.2 3 6

Kobs holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Finance from Case Western Reserve University, where he has deep family ties.2 1 His leadership has been recognized through various accolades, including being named one of America's Most Promising Companies by Forbes.2

Highlights

Sep 5 · Forbes

3 NFT Residency Programs To Watch, Including The Adidas NFT Artist Program - Forbes

Apr 4 · PYMNTS.com

Most Customers Use Mobile Apps to Interact With Restaurant Loyalty Programs - PYMNTS.com

Apr 4 · apartmentlist.com

Founder's Letter 2022 - Apartment List

Experience

CEO, Founder & Chairman at Giant

CEO, Founder & Chairman at Apartment List (September 2011 - March 2022), CEO & Founder at Wildxyz (April 2022 - December 2023), Founder & Chairman at Auto List, Inc. (September 2012 - January 2020)