In 2011, Ashton Kutcher met Instagram founder Kevin Systrom under circumstances that would eventually forge a lasting friendship. Initially, Kutcher wasn’t particularly impressed with Systrom, but this changed dramatically when Systrom saved his life.
Initial Encounters and Business Proposals
According to Sarah Frier’s book, “No Filter: The Inside Story of Instagram,” Kutcher was introduced to Systrom when Instagram had about 10 million users. Kutcher, who had started investing in startups such as Spotify, Airbnb, and Instagram competitor Path, was eager to explore opportunities with Instagram.
Kutcher and his investment partner, Guy Oseary, had difficulty arranging a meeting with Systrom. When they finally met, Kutcher suggested adding a “re-gram” feature, akin to Twitter’s retweet function, but Systrom declined. This refusal initially put Kutcher off, but he remained interested in Systrom and Instagram.
The Life-Saving Incident
Despite the initial tension, Kutcher invited Systrom to a ski weekend in Utah, which included other tech founders and investors, like Joshua Kushner. Early one morning, Systrom burst into Kutcher’s room, warning him that the wall next to the living room fireplace was on fire. The house was filling with smoke, and everyone needed to evacuate immediately.
This event made Kutcher realize that Systrom was not only a capable leader but also someone he could trust. The two became friends, and Kutcher later assisted Instagram by introducing Systrom to celebrities who would eventually amass millions of followers on the platform.
Kutcher’s Role in Tech Investment and Instagram’s Growth
Over the years, Ashton Kutcher has become one of Hollywood’s most active tech investors, reportedly investing over $3 billion in various startups and participating in more than 170 funding rounds. His involvement with Instagram helped the platform gain popularity among celebrities, significantly boosting its user base.
Instagram was acquired by Facebook for $1 billion in 2012. Systrom and Instagram co-founder Mike Krieger remained with the company until 2018, when they left due to reported tensions with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
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