Patrick Byrne Male • United States of America

Patrick Byrne, a trailblazer in the e-commerce industry, is widely recognized for founding Overstock.com and leading it as CEO for over two decades. His innovative approach and strategic leadership were crucial in propelling Overstock.com to become a significant player in the online retail space. Launched in 1999, the company quickly achieved profitability within three years, marking a considerable achievement in the competitive e-commerce landscape. This early success was a harbinger of sustained financial growth, with the company recording profitable years, notably in 2009, and achieving a remarkable revenue of $1.8 billion by 2016.

A visionary in digital currency, he steered Overstock.com to become the first major retailer to accept Bitcoin in 2012. This pioneering move demonstrated his foresight in technological trends and positioned Overstock.com at the forefront of digital currency adoption in e-commerce. His interest in blockchain technology led to the founding of Medici Ventures, a venture capital company focusing on blockchain innovations.

In a groundbreaking move, he became the first individual to purchase a digital bond on the Bitcoin blockchain. Under his guidance, Overstock.com continued its innovative streak by becoming the first company to offer shares via an alternative trading system in 2016.