Computer programmer, business owner, and angel investor Shawn Fanning is from the United States. In 1999, he created Napster, one of the first widely used peer-to-peer file sharing services. Napster was extremely popular, and Fanning appeared on the cover of Time magazine.
Shawn Fanning Biography And Net Worth
| Net Worth $70 million |
| Full Name Shawn Fanning |
| Birth Date November 22, 1980 |
| Age 41 Years |
| Birthplace Brockton, Massachusetts |
| Profession Computer programmer, entrepreneur, angel investor |
| Spouse Jessica Wigsmoen |
Shawn Fanning Early Life
On November 22, 1980, in Brockton, Massachusetts, Shawn Fanning was born. Shawn Fanning and Sean Parker first connected online when Shawn was 14 years old in 1994. When Fanning started attending Northeastern University, the two finally met in person after first becoming close online through interests in physics and hacking. Shawn built the code for Napster, one of the first well-known peer-to-peer (“P2P”) file sharing networks, in 1998 while he was a student at Northeastern University. The program’s foundational funding was raised by Parker.
Shawn Fanning – Napster
On June 1, 1999, a preliminary beta software went live, and immediately hundreds of college students at Northeastern started exchanging music frantically. Soon after, Shawn and Sean relocated the business from Hull, Massachusetts to a bigger site in San Mateo, California. They also added more staff members to help with the Napster Program. The success of Napster led to his appearance on the Time magazine cover. Soon, tens of millions of users were using the application to download various types of files.
Numerous bands and musical ensembles, as well as the Recording Industry Association of America, vigorously rejected the platform. Despite being one of the most rapidly expanding companies ever, it was eventually shut down as a result of numerous lawsuits. Napster had a significant impact on the music industry despite its fast downfall, and some even claim that it served as an early model for services like iTunes. The MIT Technology Review’s list of the top 100 innovators under the age of 35 included Fanning because of his success with Napster.
Shawn Fanning Other Ventures
Following Napster, Shawn Fanning joined and made investments in several startup technology businesses, including Snocap, Rapture, and Path. With backing from investor Ron Conway, he co-founded Snocap in 2003 with Jordan Mendelson, who had previously served as Napster’s Chief Architect. Over half of the company’s personnel was let go within a few years. On October 2, 2007, Shawn was appointed CEO of Rupture. The future of Rupture appeared promising after it was quickly purchased by Electronic Arts for $15 million, but Fanning’s team at Electronic Arts was fired in a round of layoffs in November 2009. Only a few months later, he launched Path.com, a new business. Amir Haleem, Sean Carey, and Fanning founded Helium Systems the next year.
Shawn Fanning Wife
Fanning is married to Jessica Wigsmoen and they are blessed with a daughter in 2011.
Shawn Fanning’s Net worth
Shawn Fanning has an estimated net worth of $70 million as of 2022. He has accumulated his wealth from a variety of means, including investments, his business, and salaries. He invests in numerous firms in addition to his business endeavors.
Shawn Fanning Height and Weight
| Height 5’10” |
| Weight 88kg |
| Eye Color Black |
| Hair Color Light brown |
