David Karp is an American entrepreneur best known as the founder of the influential microblogging platform Tumblr. Born on July 6, 1986, in New York City, Karp displayed a strong interest in technology from an early age. By the time he was 11, he had already begun teaching himself HTML and creating websites for local businesses. He attended the Bronx High School of Science briefly before choosing to be homeschooled, which gave him the flexibility to pursue his growing interest in software development more intensely.
Karp’s early professional experience was unorthodox but impactful. He secured an internship at Frederator Studios, where he played a key role in developing their blogging infrastructure and digital presence. Later, he moved to Tokyo while still a teenager and continued working remotely for the parenting site UrbanBaby as head of product. This international experience broadened his perspective and further refined his technical skills.
In 2006, Karp founded a software consultancy called Davidville. Alongside engineer Marco Arment, he began experimenting with new forms of digital communication. Their collaboration led to the creation of Tumblr, which officially launched in February 2007. Tumblr’s design encouraged short-form, highly customizable content sharing, appealing to a younger generation seeking creative self-expression online. Within weeks of its launch, the site attracted tens of thousands of users.
Tumblr’s growth was explosive, and by 2013 it had become one of the most popular blogging platforms in the world, hosting over 100 million blogs. That same year, Yahoo! acquired Tumblr for approximately $1.1 billion, with Karp staying on as CEO to guide the company through the transition. Despite the acquisition, Tumblr struggled to maintain its momentum under Yahoo’s management, particularly amid shifting advertising strategies and user concerns about content moderation.
In November 2017, Karp announced his resignation from Tumblr, stating that it was time for him to move on to new projects. He left the company by the end of that year. Since stepping away from Tumblr, Karp has remained relatively low-profile in the tech world but has engaged with political activism. He joined Future Now, a nonprofit that supports progressive state-level policies in the U.S., serving as an advisor on its board.
Early Life, Family & Nationality
Birth, Age and Nationality
David Karp was born on July 6, 1986, in New York City, United States. As of July 2025, he is 39 years old. He is American by nationality.
Parents and Family Background
Karp grew up on Manhattan’s Upper West Side as the eldest child of Barbara Ackerman—a science teacher—and Michael D. Karp, a film and television composer. He has a younger brother named Kevin. His parents separated when he was about 17, but he remained closely connected to his mother, who had taught at the same private school he briefly attended.
Education and Qualifications
Schooling and Homeschooling
David began schooling at The Calhoun School, attending from preschool through eighth grade—a school where his mother taught science. At age 11 (in 1997), he taught himself HTML and began designing websites for local businesses. At 15, he enrolled at Bronx High School of Science but dropped out after one year in 2001. Opting instead for homeschooling, he hoped hands‑on projects and self‑motivation would impress top colleges like MIT—but he never ultimately earned a high‑school diploma.
Formal Qualifications
Though he never pursued a college degree, Karp acquired advanced programming, digital literacy, and business skills through real‑world experience. His deep proficiency in coding, software development, and product design became his principal qualification for leadership and innovation.
Career
Early Web Work and Frederator Studios
Through a family connection at Calhoun School, Karp landed an internship at Frederator Studios, the animation company founded by Fred Seibert. There, at around age 14, he built the company’s first blogging platform and launched an online video network, Channel Frederator. He was also studying Japanese and working with a math tutor to develop software tools, including those intended to win blackjack and poker games.
UrbanBaby and International Experience
In his mid‑teens, Karp was hired as head of product at UrbanBaby, an online parenting forum. Despite being just 17, he completed a contract job in mere hours and earned equity in the company. He later moved to Tokyo for about five months while still in his teens, continuing to work remotely for UrbanBaby as it thrived. That stint broadened his cultural and technical perspective.
Launch of Davidville and Tumblr
After CNET acquired UrbanBaby in 2006, Karp received capital from his equity stake and founded the software consultancy Davidville. He hired Marco Arment via Craigslist to work with him. During a two‑week lull between consulting contracts that same year, they created Tumblr, a microblogging platform. It launched in February 2007 and gained 75,000 users within two weeks.
By October 2007, Karp had rebranded Davidville as Tumblr, Inc., sold 25% of the company to early investors, and focused exclusively on building the platform. Within a few years Tumblr hosted tens of millions of blogs and became a major trend in online publishing.
Growth, Acquisition and Leadership
Tumblr’s popularity skyrocketed among teens, creatives, and marginalized communities thanks to its short‑form multi‑media features and reblogging culture. It received recognition from BusinessWeek as Best Young Tech Entrepreneur (2009) and from MIT Technology Review as one of the top 35 innovators under 35 (2010).
On May 20, 2013, Yahoo! acquired Tumblr for approximately $1.1 billion; Karp stayed on as CEO to oversee the transition. Despite initial promise, Tumblr struggled under Yahoo’s ownership, with Yahoo writing down hundreds of millions of dollars of value by 2016. When Verizon acquired Yahoo a year later, Karp announced in November 2017 that he would step down and leave Tumblr by year’s end
Later Endeavors and Investments
After leaving Tumblr, Karp maintained a low profile but encouraged tech innovation. He joined the board of Planned Parenthood in 2014 and supported various progressive causes. He has made personal investments in companies such as Superpedestrian, Sherpaa, and Splash.
Net Worth
As of May 2025, David Karp’s net worth is estimated at around USD 200 million, largely derived from the Yahoo‑Tumblr acquisition and subsequent equity in tech ventures. Forbes and CelebrityNetWorth list similar figures, though Tumblr at its peak was valued around $800 million prior to sale.
Personal Life
Wife and Relationship
David Karp has kept his personal and romantic life largely private. Available reports do not confirm any marriage or public long‑term spouse. Some sources mention a long‑time partner, but no conclusive public record indicates he is currently married. He has no known children.
Lifesjtyle and Interests
Karp resides in New York City and is known for supporting liberal political causes. He endorsed Hillary Clinton in 2016 and donated to Mark Kelly’s 2020 Senate campaign, becoming a top individual donor. He joined Planned Parenthood’s board and helped rally tech industry support for women’s reproductive services. e is known to value privacy, shuns celebrity status, and rarely gives personal interviews.
Conclusion
David Karp’s life and career serve as a compelling example of how non-traditional paths can lead to extraordinary success in the tech world. From a precocious child coding websites at age 11 to the architect of Tumblr—a platform that revolutionized microblogging—Karp has continually challenged conventional wisdom about education, entrepreneurship, and digital creativity. His decision to leave formal schooling did not hinder his ambitions; instead, it gave him the freedom to explore programming and software design in real-world contexts, where his talents flourished.
Although he stepped away from Tumblr in 2017, Karp’s influence continues to be felt in the internet’s DNA. Tumblr, now owned by Automattic (the parent company of WordPress.com), is still a cultural touchstone for millions of users around the world. Karp’s later engagement with social advocacy, particularly around reproductive rights and civic engagement, reflects his evolving role as both a technologist and citizen. He remains a fascinating figure—brilliant, introverted, principled—whose story resonates with a generation that values creativity, authenticity, and impact over convention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is David Karp?
David Karp is an American entrepreneur and web developer best known as the founder of Tumblr, a popular microblogging platform. He launched Tumblr in 2007 and served as its CEO until 2017.
When was David Karp born?
He was born on July 6, 1986, in New York City, United States.
How old is David Karp now?
As of July 2025, David Karp is 39 years old.
What is David Karp’s net worth?
Karp’s net worth is estimated to be around $200 million, largely due to the 2013 sale of Tumblr to Yahoo! for approximately $1.1 billion.
Did David Karp attend college?
No, David Karp did not attend college. He dropped out of high school at age 15 to be homeschooled and never earned a traditional diploma, preferring real-world experience in the tech industry.
What is David Karp doing now?
Since leaving Tumblr in 2017, Karp has maintained a low profile. He has supported various political and social causes, joined nonprofit boards such as Planned Parenthood, and has invested in other tech ventures.
Is David Karp married?
As of current public information, David Karp is not married, and he has not publicly shared details about his relationship status or personal life.
Why did David Karp leave Tumblr?
Karp resigned from Tumblr in November 2017, citing a desire to pursue new projects and explore other interests. His decision came after Yahoo’s acquisition by Verizon, which led to management changes at Tumblr.