Visiting the LinkedIn Office

Source: Dev.to

Tour of the LinkedIn Office

I’ve been using LinkedIn for a few years, so getting the chance to tour their office felt very special. I was super excited to see what the place behind the platform actually looks like, and it could not be in a more iconic location than the Empire State Building. Walking into that building already feels like a moment.

The office has a modern and warm vibe, full of open spaces, clean design, and amazing views of New York. It feels like a place built for ideas, teamwork, and growth.

The Story Behind LinkedIn and Reid Hoffman

• Early background: Studied philosophy at Oxford and initially wanted to be a public intellectual. He later realized technology could help more people and focused on “helping humanity evolve” by building useful tools.
• First venture: Created an early social network called SocialNet in 1997. It didn’t succeed, but it provided valuable lessons.
• PayPal era: Joined PayPal early, becoming part of the famous “PayPal Mafia.” When PayPal was sold to eBay, he used that money to start LinkedIn.
• LinkedIn launch: Launched in 2003 from his living room, emphasizing careers, trust, and real professional connections rather than casual socializing.
• Acquisition: In 2016, Microsoft bought LinkedIn for $26.2 billion.

The visit was a great experience and a reminder of what can happen when ideas, technology, and purpose come together.