Snap: Evan Spiegel

In this episode of How I Built This, Guy Raz interviews Evan Spiegel, co-founder of Snap Inc., exploring the origins and evolution of Snapchat. Spiegel recounts how he and co-founder Bobby Murphy developed the app after realizing the gap in ephemeral messaging. After launching Snapchat, the app gained quick traction among high school students, facilitated by its unique communication method that contrasted with other social media platforms. Spiegel discusses the challenges the company faced, including intense pressure from larger competitors like Facebook and the legal disputes that arose from co-founder disagreements.

Spiegel reflects on the pivotal moments, including a $3 billion acquisition offer from Facebook, which he ultimately turned down, citing a vision for a broader opportunity in the social media landscape. He emphasizes the importance of innovation, particularly in features like Stories, and the company's shift towards becoming a camera company with the launch of Spectacles.

The conversation also dives into the complexities of managing a rapidly growing company, the need for a long-term vision focused on augmented reality, and the social responsibilities of tech companies. Spiegel acknowledges both the luck involved in his success and the hard work that goes into running a business, highlighting the significance of building relationships and prioritizing meaningful connections over mere metrics.