Khan Academy: Sal Khan. From Tutoring His Cousins to Teaching the World For Free (September 2020)

In this episode of How I Built This, Guy Raz interviews Sal Khan, the founder of Khan Academy, about his journey from tutoring his cousins in math to creating a free online learning platform used by millions worldwide. Sal recounts his upbringing, academic pursuits, and career in finance, which he left to pursue Khan Academy full-time. He details the initial struggles to secure funding, the pivotal moment when Ann Doerr provided crucial financial support, and the surreal experience of Bill Gates endorsing Khan Academy. Sal also discusses the challenges of scaling a non-profit while maintaining its unique, quirky essence and his commitment to providing free education for anyone, anywhere.

Outlines

Part 1: Origins and Influences

Part 2: Career Path and Tutoring Beginnings

Part 3: Khan Academy's Growth and Validation

Part 4: Building and Sustaining the Mission

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How I Built This with Guy Raz

Part 1: Origins and Influences

Introduction to Sal Khan and Khan Academy

Early Life and Influences

Values, Education, and Early Aspirations

Part 2: Career Path and Tutoring Beginnings

MIT and Early Career Choices

Harvard Business School and Hedge Fund Career

Remote Tutoring and the Genesis of Khan Academy

Math Planet and the Introduction of YouTube

Part 3: Khan Academy's Growth and Validation

Early Growth and the Decision to Pursue Khan Academy Full-Time

Validation and the Leap of Faith

Financial Stress and a Pivotal Donation

Bill Gates' Endorsement and Initial Funding

Part 4: Building and Sustaining the Mission

Building the Team and Maintaining the "Secret Sauce"

Partnership with the College Board and Maintaining a Non-Profit Model

Reflections on Success and the Value of a Mission-Driven Life

Concluding Remarks

Khan Academy: Sal Khan. From Tutoring His Cousins to Teaching the World For Free (September 2020)

How I Built This with Guy Raz

Part 1: Origins and Influences

00:00Introduction to Sal Khan and Khan Academy

Introduction to Sal Khan and Khan Academy

03:44Early Life and Influences

Early Life and Influences

07:53Values, Education, and Early Aspirations

Values, Education, and Early Aspirations

Part 2: Career Path and Tutoring Beginnings

12:40MIT and Early Career Choices

MIT and Early Career Choices

17:37Harvard Business School and Hedge Fund Career

Harvard Business School and Hedge Fund Career

22:27Remote Tutoring and the Genesis of Khan Academy

Remote Tutoring and the Genesis of Khan Academy

28:00Math Planet and the Introduction of YouTube

Math Planet and the Introduction of YouTube

Part 3: Khan Academy's Growth and Validation

34:39Early Growth and the Decision to Pursue Khan Academy Full-Time

Early Growth and the Decision to Pursue Khan Academy Full-Time

40:18Validation and the Leap of Faith

Validation and the Leap of Faith

44:57Financial Stress and a Pivotal Donation

Financial Stress and a Pivotal Donation

53:31Bill Gates' Endorsement and Initial Funding

Bill Gates' Endorsement and Initial Funding

Part 4: Building and Sustaining the Mission

1:01:31Building the Team and Maintaining the "Secret Sauce"

Building the Team and Maintaining the "Secret Sauce"

1:06:22Partnership with the College Board and Maintaining a Non-Profit Model

Partnership with the College Board and Maintaining a Non-Profit Model

1:11:27Reflections on Success and the Value of a Mission-Driven Life

Reflections on Success and the Value of a Mission-Driven Life

1:14:07Concluding Remarks

Concluding Remarks