Who is Johnny Boufharat? The UK’s richest tech billionaire in the Sunday Times Rich List 35 under 35?

The Sunday Times have released their annual rich list this morning, ahead of it taking over the pages of Sunday’s print publication, and Peopleworld have taken a particular focus on the annual “35 Under 35 in the UK” list of young professionals making their mark in their respective industries.

Among the familiar names such as The Duke of Westminster, Ed Sheeran and Adele comes an unfamiliar name to households across the country, but a name that can claim to be one of only three members of the list to accrue over £1b in net worth in the past 12 months - that name being Johnny Boufharat, founder and CEO of Hopin Ltd.

Having earned a cool £1.714b and not too far off second place Lady Charlotte Wellesley, Boufharat also appeared in Forbes 30 under 30 list of rich young entrepreneurs in 2022, and his allows meeting participants for conference attending and networking online, exchange virtual business cards, and get a summary of their connections after an event.

With the advent of remote working during the COVID-19 pandemic, use of Hopin soared with the company as of writing worth an estimated $7.95 billion and with the company operating completely remotely, overheads for office space and equipment has helped add to the cost cutting measures - and for Boufharat, his placement in the rich list.

So who is Johnny Boufharat, and how did his immunocompromised position lead him to become the UK’s youngest tech billionaire?

Who is Johnny Boufharat?

Johnny Boufarhat was born in Sydney, Australia on June 1 1994 to Lebanese and Armenian parents; his Lebanese father was a mechanical engineer and a Syrian-born Armenian mother who was an accountant. Studying at the Dubai American Academy for a short period of time, he and his family later moved to the UK, where Boufarhat earned a degree in mechanical engineering and management at the University of Manchester.

Struggling with a rare allergic reaction in 2015, Boufarhat's compromised immune system confined him indoors, intensifying his desire for human connection and in-person events. Frustrated by his limitations, he started coding in his London apartment's kitchen in early 2019, envisioning an online events platform that eventually became Hopin. He released an early version of Hopin in late 2019, intending to launch in September 2020. However, the pandemic accelerated the schedule by six months, aligning with Boufarhat's forward-thinking approach.

As a self-taught programmer, Boufarhat demonstrated foresight and innovation that impressed investors. His belief in a future where people can participate in meaningful experiences from anywhere remains central to Hopin's vision. With a fully remote workforce and no physical head office, Boufarhat is committed to sustaining Hopin's adaptability and catering to a post-pandemic world where virtual events have become a significant part of people's lives.

Boufarhat's vision resonated with early investors, showcasing his incredible passion for the business. Hopin experienced remarkable growth during the pandemic, capitalising on the global shift to online meetings. The startup raised $620 million in a recent funding round, valuing the company at $7.8 billion. This surge in valuation propelled Boufarhat's stake to approximately $3.2 billion, making him one of the world's youngest self-made billionaires.

Hopin's expansion has been rapid, with employee numbers growing from six at the start of 2020 to over 800 presently. The company also made strategic acquisitions, including StreamYard, Streamable, Jamm, Boomset, and Attendify, further enhancing its offerings.