Jimmy Wales: Co-founder of Wikipedia and Fandom
Business Owner · Internet & Consumer Tech
Jimmy Wales, a former options trader, launched Wikipedia on January 15, 2001 with Larry Sanger and co-founded the wiki host Fandom.
About Jimmy Wales: Co-founder of Wikipedia and Fandom
Jimmy Donal Wales (born August 8, 1966, in Huntsville, Alabama) is an American and British internet entrepreneur and former financial trader, best known for co-founding Wikipedia, a nonprofit free encyclopedia, and Fandom, formerly Wikia, a for-profit wiki hosting service. He has also worked on Bomis, Nupedia, WikiTribune and Trust Cafe, formerly WT Social. He attended Randolph School, earned finance degrees from Auburn University and the University of Alabama, taught at two universities in graduate school and left before completing a PhD to work in finance, and in the 1990s worked as a financial options trader in Chicago, becoming chief research officer at Chicago Options Associates. In 1996 Wales co-founded Bomis, which funded the free peer-reviewed encyclopedia Nupedia (2000 to 2003). On January 15, 2001, with Larry Sanger and others, he launched Wikipedia, which grew rapidly; he became its promoter and public face, though he has at times disputed Sanger's role, claiming sole founder status. He has served on the Wikimedia Foundation board of trustees since its creation, holding its board-appointed "community founder" seat, and gives annual "State of the Wiki" addresses at Wikimania. In 2006 Time named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Sources: English Wikipedia (Jimmy Wales, accessed September 2026).
Basic Information
Co-founder, Wikipedia and Fandom
Company Details
Wikimedia Foundation / Fandom
Online Encyclopedia, Wiki Hosting
Related Business Owner
Latest Articles
Alana Evans Net Worth in 2026 – Income Sources, Career & Earnings
Amy Lee Net Worth 2026: Income Sources, Evanescence Career & Personal Life
Abz Love Net Worth 2026: Five Star’s Career, TV Comeback & Income Breakdown
