| Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner | |
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Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner |
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| Born | August 29, 1967 Reykjavík, Iceland |
| Occupation | founder |
Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner (born August 29, 1967 in Reykjavík, Iceland) is the founder and former CEO of Opera Software. He and Geir Ivarsøy were part of a research group at the Norwegian state phone company (now known as Telenor) where they developed browsing software called MultiTorg Opera. The project was abandoned by Telenor, but Geir and Jon obtained the rights to the software, formed a company of their own, and continued working on it. Now known simply as Opera, the Internet browser has become very popular despite the competition. Opera Software has grown to over 500 employees since it first moved to its present offices in Oslo.
On Thursday, April 21, 2005, he proclaimed that if the download numbers of the browser's new version Opera 8 reached 1 million within four days, he would swim across the Atlantic Ocean from Norway to the United States. The million was reached, Opera Software announced that von Tetzchner will "stand by his word". On April 25 and April 26, the official Opera site described the nonserious Atlantic swim "attempt" and its quick and comical "failure".[1] The event was reported worldwide by both technology and mainstream media.[2] For Tetzchner's 40th birthday on August 29, 2007, Opera Software announced that it would release the first public alpha of Kestrel, the working title of what would become Opera 9.50. His biggest birthday wish was to give the community a preview of Kestrel, which has been in development for over a year.
On January 5, 2010, Jon stepped down as CEO of Opera Software[3] to be replaced by Lars Boilesen. He will continue to serve Opera full-time as a strategic adviser.
On June 24, 2011, Jon decided to leave Opera Software.[4]
Dear All,
It is with a heavy heart that I send this message. Next week will be my last at Opera. It has become clear that The Board, Management and I do not share the same values and we do not have the same opinions on how to keep evolving Opera. As a result I have come to an agreement with the Board to end my time at Opera. I feel the Board and Management is more quarterly focused than me. I have always worked to build the company for the future. I believe the foundation we have is very solid to build further upon.
I do believe strongly in Opera as a company, and in all of you working here. Our products actually make a difference for a lot of people in the world, and I wish you all the best of luck moving forward. I will be following the company closely and rooting for you all.
Yours truly, Jon.
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