Mark Pincus

$1.42 B

Ranked #2661 in World

About Mark Pincus

Mark Pincus, a revered American Internet entrepreneur born on February 13, 1966, in Chicago, Illinois, has made significant contributions to the digital landscape. With a rich background that includes a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School and an MBA from Harvard Business School, Pincus embarked on a six-year stint in venture capital and financial services before pioneering his path as an entrepreneur. His ventures like Zynga Inc., which went public with a $1 billion IPO in 2011, and investments in major companies such as Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat, highlight his profound influence on the tech and gaming industries. Additionally, Pincus has also dedicated himself to philanthropy, raising over $20 million for nonprofits through Zynga.org, and actively supports diversity and inclusion initiatives with a $25 million fund established in June 2020. His political engagement is evident in his support for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, demonstrating his multifaceted role as a business leader and community pillar.

Born

February 13, 1966 in Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

Age

60 years

Source Of Wealth

Online Games

Industries

Technology

Citizenship

United States

Residence

San Francisco, California

Education

Master of Business Administration, Harvard University; Bachelor of Arts/Science, University of Pennsylvania

Spouse

Alison Gelb (Married: 2008; Divorced: 2017)

Children

Mark Pincus was born on February 13, 1966, in Chicago, Illinois. Raised in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, he comes from a Jewish background. His parents are Donna (née Forman) and Theodore Pincus. Mark attended Francis W. Parker School from kindergarten through 12th grade, graduating in 1984. He then went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1988. Pincus furthered his education at Harvard Business School, where he graduated in 1993. During his time there, he co-founded the Communications Club with Sherry Coutu.

Mark Pincus: Family

Mark Pincus married Alison Gelb in 2008. Alison is the co-founder of One Kings Lane. However, the couple divorced in March 2017. They have three children together, twin girls, and a boy. Pincus enjoys spending time with his family and engaging in various activities such as cycling, surfing, playing soccer, and doing yoga.

Mark Pincus: Career Highlights

Before becoming an entrepreneur, Mark Pincus worked in venture capital and financial services for six years. He held positions such as Analyst in the New Media Group at Lazard Freres & Co., Vice President for Asian Capital Partners in Hong Kong, Associate for Bain & Co. during the summer of 1992, and Manager of corporate development at Tele-Communications, Inc. (now AT&T Cable). He also served as Vice President at Columbia Capital, leading investments in new media and software startups in Washington, D.C.

Mark Pincus: Companies

Mark Pincus has founded and been involved with several companies throughout his career. He founded Freeloader, Inc. in 1995, which was acquired by Individual, Inc. for $38 million after seven months. In August 1997, he started Support.com, which became a leading provider of help desk automation software and went public in July 2000 with a $1.5 billion valuation. Pincus also founded Tribe.net in 2003, an early social network partnered with major local newspapers, which was later acquired by Cisco Systems in 2007.

Additionally, he purchased the Six Degrees patent with Reid Hoffman in 2003 to protect innovation in social networking.

Pincus is perhaps best known for founding Zynga Inc. in July 2007. Zynga developed games on social networks like Facebook, Myspace, and Bebo. Under Pincus' leadership as CEO from 2007 to 2013 and again in 2015, Zynga went public with a $1 billion IPO in 2011. However, he stepped down as CEO in March 2016 and transitioned to the role of Executive Chairman of the Board. In 2018, Pincus reduced his voting rights in Zynga from 70% to 10% and became a non-executive chairman.

In addition to Zynga, Pincus has been involved in other ventures. He started Superlabs, an incubator acquired by Zynga in 2015. He also launched the Win the Future movement within the Democratic Party with Reid Hoffman and Adam Werbach in 2017.

Mark Pincus: Major Achievements

Mark Pincus has achieved significant success as an entrepreneur and investor. He is credited with founding and leading Zynga, one of the most successful social gaming companies in the world. Under his leadership, Zynga developed popular games such as FarmVille, CityVille, and Words with Friends, which attracted millions of users and generated substantial revenue. Pincus' contributions to the gaming industry have been widely recognized, and he is considered a pioneer in the field.

Beyond Zynga, Pincus has made notable investments in various technology companies, including Napster, Facebook, Friendster, Snapchat, Xiaomi, and Twitter. His early investments in these companies have demonstrated his foresight and ability to identify promising opportunities. Pincus has also been involved in philanthropic efforts through Zynga.org, which aims to transform the world through virtual social goods and has raised over $20 million for nonprofits.

Mark Pincus: Awards & Achievements

Mark Pincus has received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to the technology industry. Some of his notable achievements include:

Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Northern California (2007)
Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World (2010)
Forbes' Midas List of Top Tech Investors (2011)
The Wall Street Journal's Innovator of the Year Award (2012)
Fortune Magazine's 40 Under 40 list (2006)

Mark Pincus: Personal Life & Legacy

Mark Pincus has made significant contributions to the technology industry through his entrepreneurial ventures and investments.

His success has allowed him to engage in philanthropic activities and support various causes. Pincus' legacy lies in his ability to identify and capitalize on emerging trends, particularly in the gaming and social media sectors. He has demonstrated a commitment to innovation and has played a pivotal role in shaping the digital landscape.

Mark Pincus: Trivia

Mark Pincus is an avid cyclist and has participated in several long-distance cycling events, including the Tour de France.
He is a fan of the Grateful Dead and has attended numerous concerts by the band.
Pincus is a supporter of the Democratic Party and has been involved in political fundraising and activism.
He is a member of the board of directors of several organizations, including the Presidio Trust and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
Pincus has been featured in various publications and media outlets, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Forbes.

Wealth History

Timeline

February 13, 1966

Mark Pincus was born in Chicago, Illinois.

1984

Graduated from Francis W. Parker School.

1988

Earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

1993

Graduated from Harvard Business School, where he founded the Communications Club with Sherry Coutu.

1995

Founded Freeloader, Inc., acquired by Individual, Inc. for $38 million after seven months.

August 1997

Started Support.com, became a leading provider of help desk automation software, went public in July 2000 with a $1.5 billion valuation.

2003

Founded Tribe.net, an early social network partnered with major local newspapers, acquired by Cisco Systems in 2007.

2003

Purchased the Six Degrees patent with Reid Hoffman to protect innovation in social networking.

July 2007

Founded Zynga Inc., developed games on social networks like Facebook, Myspace, and Bebo.

2011

Took Zynga public with a $1 billion IPO.

2013

Stepped down as CEO of Zynga.

2015

Returned to the role of CEO of Zynga.

March 2016

Stepped down as CEO of Zynga, became Executive Chairman of the Board.

2018

Reduced voting rights in Zynga from 70% to 10%, transitioned to non-executive chairman role.

2018

Co-founded Reinvent Capital with Reid Hoffman and Michael Thompson, investing in internet, software, and media companies.

September 2020

Launched Reinvent Technology Partners (RTP), a SPAC, merged with Joby Aviation in February 2021.

November 2020

Launched Reinvent Technology Partners Z (RTPZ), a SPAC, merged with Hippo Insurance in March 2021.

February 2021

Announced Reinvent Technology Partners Y (RTPY), a SPAC, planned merger with Aurora Innovation.

October 2009

Founded Zynga.org, committed to transforming the world through virtual social goods, raised over $20 million for nonprofits.

June 2020

Launched a $25 million fund to invest in diversity and inclusion initiatives.

April 2020

Organized community-wide COVID-19 testing in Bolinas, California.

2020

Supported Joe Biden's presidential campaign, donated the legal maximum dollar amount.

2016

Co-hosted a fundraiser for Kamala Harris' campaign.

2008

Married Alison Gelb, co-founder of One Kings Lane, divorced in March 2017.

2022

Joined The Giving Pledge, committing to donating most of his wealth.

Mark Pincus : FAQs

What is Mark Pincus's current net worth?

Mark Pincus's current net worth is $1.42 billion.

What is Mark Pincus's current global rank among billionaires?

Mark Pincus holds the 2661st position globally among billionaires.

What is Mark Pincus's current ranking within the United States?

Mark Pincus holds the 817th position in United States.

What was the change in Mark Pincus's net worth compared to the previous year?

Mark Pincus's net worth decreased by 36.65 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 1.45 billion dollars.

What is the recent change in Mark Pincus's net worth?

Mark Pincus's net worth increased by 1.56 million dollars recently, a 0.11% increase, with his net worth standing at 1.42 billion dollars.

What are Mark Pincus's main sources of wealth?

Mark Pincus's main source of income comes from Online Games.

In which industry does Mark Pincus primarily operate?

Mark Pincus is primarily involved in the Technology industry.

What is Mark Pincus educational background?

Mark Pincus holds a Master of Business Administration from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts/Science from the University of Pennsylvania.

How old is Mark Pincus?

Mark Pincus is 60 years old.

How many children does Mark Pincus have?

Mark Pincus has 3 children.

Who is Mark Pincus and what is he known for?

Mark Pincus is an American Internet entrepreneur, known for founding Zynga Inc., a company that developed games for social networks such as Facebook and MySpace, and for being a founding investor in prominent companies like Napster, Facebook, and Twitter.

What are some of Mark Pincus's notable entrepreneurial ventures?

Mark Pincus founded Freeloader, Inc. in 1995, Support.com in 1997, and Tribe.net in 2003. He also founded Zynga Inc. in 2007, which became famous for developing social network games.

How has Mark Pincus contributed to philanthropy and community service?

Mark Pincus has made significant contributions to philanthropy through initiatives like Zynga.org, investing in diversity and inclusion, supporting COVID-19 relief efforts, and committing to The Giving Pledge in 2022 to donate the majority of his wealth.

What are some key milestones in Mark Pincus's career in investment and entrepreneurship?

Mark Pincus has been a founding investor in several tech giants, started successful companies like Zynga, co-founded Reinvent Capital and launched multiple SPACs including Reinvent Technology Partners. He has significantly influenced the tech and investment landscapes.