Reid Hoffman Announces Departure from Microsoft Board After Ten Years

LinkedIn Co-Founder Reid Hoffman to Step Down from Microsoft Board

Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn and a board member at Microsoft since 2017, has announced that he will not seek re-election at the company’s 2026 annual meeting, marking the end of an era that coincided with significant milestones in Microsoft’s history.

Hoffman conveyed his decision to Microsoft on June 2, stating that he will continue to serve as a director until the upcoming annual meeting later this year, as disclosed in an SEC filing.

According to the filing, Hoffman’s choice to step down was amicable and not a result of any disagreements with the company’s management, policies, or practices. Microsoft expressed its gratitude for his valuable contributions during his tenure.

In a recent episode of his “Possible” podcast, Hoffman revealed to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella his intention to shift back to “founder mode” to concentrate on Manas AI, a startup he co-founded for cancer drug discovery, citing promising early developments in the field.

Nadella praised Hoffman for his service on the board and expressed enthusiasm about his future endeavors. “I am so appreciative of your dedicated service to Microsoft and the board over the years, and I look forward to witnessing your innovative work at Manas,” Nadella commented on LinkedIn.

Hoffman joined Microsoft’s board following the company’s acquisition of LinkedIn for $26.2 billion. A distinguished investor at Greylock Partners and a notable Democratic supporter, he played a role in the board’s Environmental, Social, and Public Policy Committee.

His departure comes after facing opposition from the National Legal and Policy Center for three consecutive years, with the conservative shareholder group urging investors to vote against his re-election due to his political engagements and other concerns. Despite the opposition, shareholders re-elected him each time, with the most recent re-election occurring in December 2025.

Known for his active involvement in AI initiatives, Hoffman has been a key figure in Silicon Valley. He made early investments in OpenAI and co-founded Inflection AI in 2022 with Mustafa Suleyman, the co-founder of DeepMind. Hoffman resigned from OpenAI’s board in March 2023 to avoid conflicts of interest with his AI investments at Greylock.

In a strategic move, Microsoft hired Suleyman and a majority of Inflection’s team in March 2024, appointing Suleyman to lead a new Microsoft AI division and securing a lucrative licensing deal with Inflection valued at $650 million.