Jan Koum founded WhatsApp with Brian Acton in 2009.
Koum and Acton had both worked at Yahoo before creating WhatsApp. Koum registered the company in California in 2009, initially developing an app that displayed status information beside contacts’ names. It soon evolved into an internet-based messaging service for exchanging messages and media.
WhatsApp grew internationally by emphasizing simple communication, broad mobile support and low-cost internet messaging. Facebook announced its agreement to acquire the company in February 2014, and Koum joined Facebook’s board as part of the transaction. He later left Facebook in 2018.
A frequent mix-up is identifying Facebook’s own founders as WhatsApp’s creators. Facebook acquired WhatsApp, but the messaging service was founded independently by Koum and Acton. Koum is also known for emphasizing privacy and avoiding traditional display advertising during WhatsApp’s early growth.