Kickstarter
Founded: 2009
Chen's crowdfunding pioneer, Kickstarter, enables quirky entrepreneurs and artists -- the kind of folks who wouldn't normally qualify for venture capital -- to raise money. (Some 43% of projects listed on the site get successfully funded, helping to create films, books, art, gadgets, and games. So far these projects have raised more than $400 million.) A populist spirit pervades the enterprise: Funders don't actually get shares in the projects they back, and Chen says he'll never take Kickstarter public or sell it.
Thinking of launching a company? This handy interactive guide will help you find your ideal founder-CEO archetype.
.
