Early Life and Education
Jack Dorsey was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on November 19, 1976. He developed an early interest in computers and communications, learning to program at a young age while attending Bishop DuBourg High School. He briefly attended the University of Missouri-Rolla before transferring to New York University. However, he dropped out before graduating to pursue his entrepreneurial aspirations.
Rise to Success
Dorsey's career began with dispatch software, a field he explored in his youth. In 2000, he founded a company focused on dispatching couriers, taxis, and emergency services. His breakthrough came with the idea for Twitter, a social media platform that revolutionized communication. Twitter was co-founded in 2006. Dorsey served as CEO of Twitter from 2007 to 2008 and then again from 2015 to 2021. He also co-founded Square (now Block, Inc.) in 2009, a financial services and mobile payments company. He has been the chairman of Block, Inc..
Key Business Strategies
Dorsey's success can be attributed to his vision and ability to identify emerging trends in technology and finance. His leadership style involved focusing on user experience and creating innovative solutions to existing problems. At Twitter, he prioritized real-time communication and simplicity. With Block, his strategy centered on simplifying financial transactions for both consumers and merchants.
Philanthropy
Dorsey has been actively involved in philanthropy through his initiative, #startsmall, which supports various causes, including global crisis relief, girls' health and education, and open internet development. In 2020, he transferred approximately $1 billion of his equity in Square, Inc. to #startsmall. He has donated millions to various organizations, including Water.org, BBC Media Action, and Camp Fire.
