Mahbod Moghadam, the controversial and never-boring co-founder of Genius and Everipedia, as well as an angel investor, passed away last month at the age of 41 due to complications from a recurring brain tumor. His family shared the news in a post published on Genius.
News of his passing in the startup world emerged over the weekend, with many tributes appearing on various platforms. Former TechCrunch writer turned investor Josh Constine shared his condolences, remembering Moghadam as a complex and edgy individual who was also funny, brilliant, and unique.
Moghadam had been residing in Los Angeles, where he was focused on finding ways to help creators receive more direct payment for their work after spending time with Mucker Capital. One of his recent projects was HellaDoge, a social media platform that rewarded users with dogecoin for contributing relevant content.
In a previous interview, Moghadam discussed his idea for a company called Communistagram, where creators could connect their Venmo accounts to receive direct payment for their content.
His journey in advocating for fair payment for creators began in 2009 after his education at Yale and Stanford Law School. Following a brief stint as a lawyer, Moghadam co-founded Rap Genius with two friends, eventually rebranding it as Genius with the support of investors like Andreessen Horowitz.
Despite his success, Moghadam faced controversies, including resigning from Genius in 2014 after posting inappropriate comments. He went on to co-found Everipedia before joining Mucker Capital.
While reflecting on his time at Genius, Moghadam expressed disappointment that contributors were not compensated for their efforts. The company’s failure to expand beyond rap fans and its legal battles with Google ultimately led to its sale in 2021.
Although Moghadam may not have reached the same professional heights as during his time at Genius, he remained a respected figure among the platform’s fans. His legacy lives on through various podcasts and discussions about his contributions to the tech and startup world.
Despite his challenges, Moghadam continued to pursue justice, including legal action against Genius’s new owners. His passion for fair compensation for creators and his impact on the industry will not be forgotten.
