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David Filo

David Filo is a YahooYahooYahoo is an internet brand founded by Jerry Yang and David Filo in 1994, with email, search, news, finance, sports, and advertising businesses. It developed from a web directory into a portal, underwent major acquisitions and security incidents, and sold its operating business in 2017, when the original listed company became Altaba. Apollo-managed funds acquired the brand’s operating business in 2021. Yahoo launched the AI answer service Scout in 2026.Open the full entry co-founder and technologist who built its web directory with Jerry YangJerry YangJerry Yang is a Yahoo co-founder and former CEO and the founding partner of AME Cloud Ventures. He helped develop Yahoo’s relationships with Yahoo Japan and Alibaba and served as chair of Stanford University’s Board of Trustees.Open the full entry.

Contents9 sections
Key facts

1988Graduates from Tulane University

Filo earned a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering at Tulane University in 1988 before continuing his studies at StanfordStanford UniversityStanford University is a research university in California founded by Leland and Jane Stanford in 1885 and opened in 1891.Open the full entry.⁠[1]

After 1988: Graduate study at Stanford

After completing Stanford’s electrical engineering master’s program, he pursued a doctorate. His collaboration with fellow student Jerry Yang laid the groundwork for their company.⁠[2]

1994–1995Yahoo’s creation and technical work

Filo and Yang developed Yahoo in 1994 and founded the company in 1995. Known within the company as Chief Yahoo, Filo served as an officer from March 1995.⁠[3]

2000Establishes a philanthropic foundation

Angela and David Filo established a foundation in 2000 to return wealth generated through Yahoo to society. Formerly Yellow Chair Foundation, it became Skyline Foundation in June 2023.⁠[4]

2004Funds engineering and computer-science scholarships

Filo gave Tulane University $30 million for undergraduate engineering and computer-science scholarships. He had attended the university with scholarship support.⁠[1]

2013Recognized as a Stanford Engineering Hero

Stanford Engineering recognized Filo and Yang as Engineering Heroes for their web-indexing work and the creation of Yahoo.⁠[5]

June 2014Returns to Yahoo’s board

Filo joined Yahoo’s board in June 2014, having previously served from the company’s founding through February 1996.⁠[3]

Affiliations, websites, and public accounts: Philanthropic institution

Skyline Foundation: Official website: https://skylinefoundation.org/ (opens in a new window)⁠[4]

Sources

  1. Tulane Engineering Alum David Filo Gives $30 Million for Engineering Scholarships (opens in a new window)
  2. Yahoo! 1995: First-Round Financing (opens in a new window)
  3. Yahoo! Inc. — 2015 Definitive Proxy Statement (opens in a new window)
  4. About - Skyline Foundation (opens in a new window)
  5. Stanford School of Engineering Names New Engineering Heroes (opens in a new window)