LinkedIn Co-Founder Reid Hoffman Steps Down From Microsoft Board to Focus on AI Startup Manus

LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman is stepping down from Microsoft’s board after nearly a decade to dedicate more time to his AI startup, Manus, Microsoft announced Thursday.

Hoffman joined Microsoft’s board in 2016 following the company’s $26.2 billion acquisition of LinkedIn. During his tenure, he witnessed several major AI initiatives, including Microsoft’s first $1 billion investment in OpenAI in 2019.

Hoffman was also an early investor and board member at OpenAI before stepping down in 2023 due to potential conflicts of interest. He remained on Microsoft’s board as the company expanded its AI strategy, including its $650 million deal with InflexionAI, which brought co-founder Mustafa Suleyman to Microsoft.

Now, Hoffman is shifting his focus to Manus, an AI-driven drug discovery startup that raised more than $50 million through seed funding rounds last year. General Catalyst is among the investors backing the company.

Speaking recently on his “Possible” podcast with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Hoffman said he felt it was time to return to “founder mode.”

“One of the things I realised over the last month is that we’re seeing such progress with Manus. I need to get back to founder mode,” Hoffman said.

Although Hoffman is listed as a co-founder and serves as chairman, Manus is led by CEO Dr Siddhartha Mukherjee, the physician, biologist, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer.

Hoffman said he is encouraged by the company’s progress and believes Manus is advancing what he calls “Move 37” AI — systems capable of achieving breakthroughs beyond conventional human creativity in chemistry and drug development.

The startup is focused on using artificial intelligence to accelerate scientific discovery and develop new treatments, particularly for cancer and other complex diseases.