Pierre Omidyar

Founder & Director Emeritus, eBay

Search every verified Pierre Omidyar interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Pierre Omidyar, the founder of eBay, has continued to speak publicly about entrepreneurship and the role of technology in society. In recent appearances, he has advised aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue their passions rather than focusing on financial gain, stating that starting a business solely to make money is "the wrong reason." He has encouraged taking action despite the possibility of failure, describing failure as a necessary learning experience. Omidyar has also cautioned against allowing respected figures to discourage new ventures, suggesting that such skepticism often stems from a lack of courage on their part. Through his philanthropic investment firm, the Omidyar Network, Omidyar has addressed concerns about the concentration of power in the digital economy and the use of data for purposes such as targeting children with advertising and racial profiling. He has called for technology makers to embed values of trust, transparency, and accountability into their products. Omidyar has also emphasized the importance of preserving encrypted private messaging and supporting research methodologies that respect human rights and privacy. He has described his organization as a social change venture focused on fairness, equity, and inclusion, and has advocated for a diverse set of stakeholders to shape the future of technology.