LinkedIn Co

Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) said Friday that LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman will leave the company’s board of directors and will not stand for reelection at the company’s 2026 annual shareholder meeting.

Hoffman has served as an independent director since 2017. Microsoft said his decision not to seek reelection was not the result of any disagreement with management, the board, or matters related to the company’s operations.

Hoffman is best known as the co-founder of LinkedIn, the professional networking platform launched in 2003. Under his leadership, LinkedIn grew into one of the world’s largest business-focused social networks, transforming how professionals connect, recruit talent, and build careers online. The company went public in 2011 and was acquired by Microsoft in 2016 for $26.2 billion in cash.

Before founding LmspaininkedIn, Hoffman was an early executive at PayPal, where he served as executive vice president and played a key role in scaling the digital payments company during its rapid growth. He was part of the group of entrepreneurs and investors often referred to as the “PayPal Mafia,” whose members went on to launch and back many influential technology companies.

Beyond his operating roles, Hoffman has become one of Silicon Valley’s most prominent venture capital investors. Through Greylock Partners, he has backed companies including Facebook, Airbnb, Zynga, Convoy, and Aurora. His investments and advisory work have made him a highly influential figure in the technology and startup ecosystem.

In recent years, Hoffman has emerged as a leading voice on artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, and innovation. He has authored several books on business strategy and startups, co-hosted technology-focused podcasts, and actively invested in AI-related ventures. Hoffman has frequently spoken about the transformative potential of AI while advocating for responsible development and deployment of the technology.

LinkedIn was founded in 2003 by Hoffman and a group of fellow entrepreneurs to create a professional networking platform for career development and business connections. Over the past two decades, the company has expanded well beyond online resumes and job searches, adding recruiting tools, marketing services, learning platforms, content publishing, and premium subscription offerings. Today, LinkedIn serves more than one billion members worldwide and remains the dominant social network for professionals and businesses.

Microsoft acquired LinkedIn in 2016 for $26.2 billion in cash, marking the largest acquisition in the software giant’s history at the time. The deal allowed Microsoft to integrate LinkedIn’s professional network with products such as Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, and Teams while largely preserving LinkedIn’s independence under its own management team. The acquisition has been widely viewed as a strategic success, helping Microsoft strengthen its position in enterprise software, recruiting, advertising, and business intelligence.

Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft purchased LinkedIn in 2016 for $26.2 billion in cash. Hoffman joined Microsoft’s board the following year and has served as one of the company’s longest-tenured independent directors.

Microsoft shares fell 1.5% in morning trading following the announcement.