Sam Yagan

Sam Yagan is a prominent American Internet entrepreneur, best known for co-founding the online dating platform OkCupid. Born on April 10, 1977, he grew up in Bourbonnais, Illinois, and attended Harvard University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Applied Mathematics and Economics. He also holds an MBA from Stanford University, where he graduated with distinction.1

Career Highlights

Yagan's entrepreneurial journey began during his senior year at Harvard when he co-founded SparkNotes, an online study guide that was sold to Barnes & Noble for $30 million shortly after its launch. Following this success, he co-founded OkCupid in 2003 with Chris Coyne, Max Krohn, and Christian Rudder. The platform differentiated itself by using a question-and-answer format to match users, which proved to be a successful model in the online dating industry. In 2011, OkCupid was sold to Match Group for approximately $90 million, after which Yagan served as the CEO of Match Group, overseeing various dating services, including Tinder and Match.com.123

In addition to his work with OkCupid and Match Group, Yagan has been involved in several other ventures, including serving as CEO of ShopRunner, an e-commerce network, and co-founding Corazon Capital, a venture capital firm. He has also been recognized as one of TIME Magazine's "100 Most Influential People in the World" in 2013.134

Personal Life

Yagan is married to Jessica Droste Yagan, who is the CEO of Impact Engine, an impact investing fund. They have three children together. His family background includes Syrian immigrant parents, which has influenced his perspective on entrepreneurship and innovation.12

Yagan's career is marked by a series of successful startups and significant contributions to the online dating landscape, making him a notable figure in the tech and entrepreneurial communities.