Reid Hoffman to Leave Microsoft Board to Focus on AI Startup Manas

According to CNBC, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman will leave the board of Microsoft Corporation at the end of the year. Hoffman, who joined the board in 2017 following Microsoft's 2016 acquisition of LinkedIn for $27 billion, informed the company that he will not seek reelection.

Hoffman said he is stepping down to focus on his new startup, Manas, which describes itself as an AI native biopharmaceutical company. Speaking on a podcast with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Hoffman said he is returning to "founder mode" to concentrate on the venture.

During his tenure on Microsoft's board, Hoffman was involved as the company deepened its collaboration with OpenAI. He had been an early investor in OpenAI and served on its board until 2023, when he resigned to avoid conflicts of interest following Microsoft's growing partnership with the AI research organization.

Hoffman previously co-founded Inflection AI with Mustafa Suleyman, who later joined Microsoft as CEO of Microsoft AI after the company hired several Inflection staff in 2024. Hoffman will remain on Microsoft's board until its annual meeting later this year.