Scott Galloway is a clinical professor of marketing at NYU Stern School of Business, a serial entrepreneur, a bestselling author, and an influential podcast host. He’s best known for his sharp analysis of big tech companies, co-hosting the Pivot podcast with Kara Swisher, and his recent work addressing the masculinity crisis facing young men in America.
The Business Professor Who Built Tech Companies
Scott Galloway’s career spans three decades of entrepreneurship, teaching, and media influence. Born on November 3, 1964, in Los Angeles to immigrant parents—his father from Scotland and his mother a Jewish immigrant from London—Galloway experienced firsthand the challenges of economic instability during his childhood.
After graduating from UCLA in 1987 with a degree in economics, Galloway briefly worked as a fixed income analyst at Morgan Stanley before realizing that traditional corporate life wasn’t his path. He earned his MBA from UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business in 1992, setting the stage for an entrepreneurial journey that would span multiple successful ventures.
Building and Selling Companies
Galloway’s entrepreneurial track record demonstrates both remarkable successes and instructive failures. In 1992, immediately after completing his MBA, he founded Prophet, a brand strategy and marketing consultancy. The firm worked with major companies, including Apple, Levi’s, and Williams-Sonoma, helping them navigate the emerging digital landscape. He sold Prophet for approximately $33 million in 2002.
In 1997, Galloway launched RedEnvelope, originally called 911Gifts.com, an e-commerce platform specializing in personalized and monogrammed gifts, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit that inspires young men. The company went public in 2003, but struggled with management challenges and eventually filed for bankruptcy in 2008. Galloway has spoken openly about this failure, describing it as a crucial learning experience about the importance of diversification and risk management.
His most financially successful venture came in 2010 with the founding of L2 Inc., a digital intelligence firm that analyzed brand performance across digital channels. The company worked with luxury brands like LVMH, Coach, and Chanel on their digital strategies. In 2017, Gartner acquired L2 for $155 million, representing Galloway’s largest exit and cementing his reputation as a tech entrepreneur who understood the intersection of branding and digital transformation.
More recently, in 2019, Galloway founded Section4 (now simply called Section), an online education platform offering business courses for working professionals. The company raised approximately $37 million in funding, with Galloway serving as both founder and instructor.
Teaching Marketing at NYU Stern
Beyond his entrepreneurial ventures, Galloway has built a distinguished academic career at New York University’s Stern School of Business, where he teaches brand strategy and digital marketing to MBA students. In 2012, Poets & Quants named him one of the “World’s 50 Best Business School Professors,” recognition that reflects his engaging, no-nonsense teaching style.
His research and teaching focus heavily on what he calls “The Four”—Amazon, Apple, Facebook (now Meta), and Google (now Alphabet). Galloway analyzes how these tech giants have fundamentally reshaped business, society, and individual opportunity in the digital age.
Notably, Galloway donates 100% of his NYU teaching salary back to the university, a practice he’s maintained throughout his tenure. He has also made substantial philanthropic contributions to higher education, including a $4.4 million donation to UC Berkeley in 2017 for immigrant student fellowships and a $12 million gift in 2024 to UCLA and UC Berkeley for the UC “Excelerator” program.
The Four: Dissecting Big Tech’s Dominance
Galloway’s 2017 book “The Four: The Hidden DNA of Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google” became a New York Times bestseller and established him as one of the most prominent critics of big tech, a title that resonates with students at NYU Stern. In the book, he argues that these four companies have accumulated unprecedented power that affects everything from privacy and democracy to economic opportunity and competition, a concern shared by many at NYU Stern.
He connects each company to a fundamental human desire: Amazon to consumption, Apple to procreation and status, Facebook to love and connection, and Google to our search for knowledge (which he likens to God). This framework helps explain why these companies have become so deeply embedded in daily life that they’re virtually impossible to avoid.
Since 2017, Galloway has consistently advocated for antitrust intervention and the potential breakup of big tech companies. He argues that their unchecked size and power stifles competition, eliminates smaller competitors through strategic acquisitions, and concentrates wealth among a small elite while leaving average workers behind. His predictions and criticisms have often proven prescient, including his vocal warnings about WeWork’s business model long before the company’s spectacular collapse.
Galloway’s stance on big tech isn’t purely critical—he acknowledges their innovations and the value they’ve created, a theme he explores in “Notes on Being a Man.” However, he maintains that their current scale and market dominance require regulatory intervention to preserve competition and protect consumers.
Podcasting Success: Pivot and Prof G
In September 2018, Galloway began co-hosting Pivot with tech journalist Kara Swisher. The twice-weekly podcast quickly became one of the most influential shows in tech and business media. Swisher and Galloway offer unfiltered analysis of current events, make bold predictions, and engage in witty banter that has attracted millions of listeners.
The podcast’s format combines news analysis with personal insights, and the hosts aren’t afraid to take controversial positions or criticize powerful figures and companies. Their chemistry—Swisher’s journalistic rigor combined with Galloway’s provocative business analysis—has made Pivot essential listening for anyone interested in technology, business, and politics, particularly those at NYU Stern.
In 2025, Galloway and Swisher struck a landmark revenue-sharing deal with Vox Media, their parent company, in which the hosts receive approximately 70% of revenue generated by their podcast portfolio, with Vox taking 30%. This arrangement represents a new model for podcast talent compensation, moving away from traditional guaranteed payments to a performance-based structure.
Galloway also hosts his own podcast network under the Prof G Media brand. The Prof G Pod, launched in 2020, features Galloway answering listener questions about business, money, and technology. Prof G Markets focuses specifically on financial markets and economic trends, while Raging Moderates, co-hosted with political strategist Jessica Tarlov, tackles political issues from a centrist perspective.
His weekly newsletter, “No Mercy / No Malice,” won Webby Awards in 2022 for best business, news, and technology content. The newsletter combines sharp business analysis with personal reflections, delivered in Galloway’s characteristic direct style.
The Bestselling Author’s Portfolio
Galloway has written six New York Times bestselling books, each tackling different aspects of business, technology, and life:
- The Four (2017) analyzes Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google, examining their strategies, power, and societal impact.
- The Algebra of Happiness (2019) offers unconventional life advice, drawing on Galloway’s experiences in business and teaching to explore success, love, and meaning.
- Post Corona (2020) examines how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated existing trends and reshaped business, education, and society.
- Adrift: America in 100 Charts (2022) uses data visualizations to tell the story of America’s challenges and opportunities, arguing that the country thrives when it invests in a strong middle class.
- The Algebra of Wealth (2024) provides a practical formula for financial security, laying out rules for building wealth in today’s economy with Galloway’s signature no-BS approach.
- Notes on Being a Man (2025) addresses the crisis facing boys and young men, advocating for healthy masculinity while sharing personal stories from Galloway’s own journey from boyhood to fatherhood.
His books consistently reach broad audiences by combining data-driven analysis with accessible writing and personal anecdotes, making complex topics engaging for general readers.
Addressing the Masculinity Crisis
In recent years, Galloway has become a prominent voice on the challenges facing young men in America. His 2025 book “Notes on Being a Man” and numerous podcast episodes, articles, and media appearances have focused on what he describes as an unprecedented crisis.
The statistics Galloway frequently cites paint a stark picture: men are four times more likely to die by suicide than women, three times more likely to be addicted to drugs or alcohol, 12 times more likely to be incarcerated, and increasingly disconnected from education, employment, and relationships. One in seven men reports having no close friends, and only one in three men under 30 is in a relationship, compared to two in three women in the same age group.
Galloway argues that society has developed a “lack of empathy” for struggling young men because of historical male advantages. He emphasizes that empathy isn’t zero-sum—civil rights movements for women and other marginalized groups don’t negate the very real problems facing young men today.
He identifies several root causes for this crisis: the disappearance of manufacturing jobs that once provided economic security for men without college degrees, the feminization of educational environments where teachers up through third grade are 92% female, the lack of male role models and mentors, and the rise of toxic online influences filling the void left by absent positive male guidance.
Rather than advocating a return to traditional masculinity, Galloway promotes what he calls “healthy masculinity” built on several pillars: protecting yourself and your family, extending that protection to your community, taking care of your parents, and ultimately “planting trees whose shade you will never sit under”—contributing to society beyond your immediate circle. He also controversially argues that society has pathologized male sexuality and the desire for romantic relationships, which should instead be channeled positively.
His message is particularly directed at successful men, urging them to mentor young men and get involved in their lives, a call echoed in his teachings at NYU. He acknowledges the cultural hesitation around men mentoring boys, particularly young men, but argues this reluctance is part of the problem, leaving them vulnerable to harmful online influences.
Net Worth and Financial Philosophy
Estimates of Galloway’s net worth vary widely, ranging from $40 million to $100 million, with Galloway himself suggesting during podcast appearances that he has reached or exceeded the $100 million mark. His wealth comes from multiple streams: company sales (particularly the $155 million L2 acquisition), board positions (he reportedly earns $440,000 annually as a board member of Urban Outfitters), speaking fees (charging between $50,000 for virtual events and $250,000 for international live events), book royalties, podcast revenue, and investment returns.
Galloway has shared that he expects his Prof G podcast portfolio to generate approximately $10 million in revenue for 2025. He has also stated in interviews that his total annual income exceeds $16 million from all sources.
Despite his wealth, Galloway maintains a distinctive philosophy about money. He has stated his goal isn’t to continue accumulating wealth indefinitely but to spend and give it away. He follows his own rule of never investing more than 3% of his net worth in any single investment, emphasizing diversification as “your Kevlar.” This approach came from painful lessons learned earlier in his career when concentrated positions in failing companies cost him significantly.
Galloway has been transparent about his spending, revealing he spends between $200,000 and $400,000 monthly on living expenses for his family, a figure that could support numerous young men in their educational pursuits. He and his wife, Beata, a real estate developer, along with their two sons, relocated from New York to London in 2022.
Board Positions and Public Service
Throughout his career, Galloway has served on numerous corporate boards, bringing his marketing expertise and digital insights to major companies. His board positions have included The New York Times Company, Eddie Bauer, Gateway Computer, Urban Outfitters, Panera Bread, Ledger, and UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.
These positions have provided both income and influence, allowing Galloway to shape strategy at established companies while gaining insider perspectives on business challenges. His board service has also informed his teaching and public commentary, giving him firsthand experience with the issues he discusses in his books and podcasts.
Predictions and Provocations
Galloway has built a reputation for bold predictions, some remarkably accurate and others less so. In 2017, just four days before Amazon announced it would acquire Whole Foods, Galloway made exactly that prediction on Kara Swisher’s podcast—a prescient call that helped establish his credibility as a tech analyst.
He has also made high-profile misses. However, Galloway approaches predictions as conversation starters rather than guarantees, using them to analyze underlying trends and market dynamics. Each year on his podcasts, he reviews his previous predictions, candidly acknowledging both hits and misses.
His willingness to take controversial stances has made him a polarizing figure. He has publicly called for Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey’s removal (while disclosing he owned more than 330,000 shares of Twitter stock), advocated against Facebook’s Libra cryptocurrency plans, and repeatedly criticized tech companies he believes act irresponsibly.
Some critics argue Galloway’s positions are self-serving or overly simplistic, particularly his calls for breaking up big tech, which he often discusses in his lectures at NYU Stern. Others find his analysis refreshing in its directness and willingness to challenge powerful interests. His influence is undeniable—his commentary shapes conversations among business leaders, policymakers, and the public, particularly in contexts like NYU’s School of Business.
Personal Life and Values
Galloway’s personal experiences heavily influence his public work. He grew up in what he describes as an “upper lower middle class” household, raised by his single mother after his parents divorced. This background informs his views on economic inequality, education access, and the importance of strong family structures.
He has been married twice. His second wife, Beata Galloway, was born in Poland and works as a real estate developer, a field that intersects with the business education offered at NYU Stern. They have two sons together, and Galloway frequently discusses fatherhood in his work, particularly in “Notes on Being a Man,” which resonates with many young men today. He is open about his struggles with anger and depression and how he has worked to model healthy masculinity for his sons.
Galloway identifies as an atheist and describes his political views as “right of center-left,” positioning himself as a centrist who criticizes both political extremes. He endorsed Michael Bloomberg’s 2020 presidential candidacy, arguing Democrats needed a strong centrist candidate.
His philanthropic efforts focus primarily on education and expanding opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds. Beyond his multi-million dollar donations to universities like NYU, he teaches through Section 4, making business education more accessible to working professionals who can’t afford traditional MBA programs.
The Media Personality and Cultural Commentator
Galloway’s influence extends far beyond business analysis, impacting young men and their perceptions of success and mentorship. His social media presence, YouTube channel, and media appearances have made him a recognized public intellectual, like Scott Galloway, who comments on culture, politics, masculinity, relationships, and societal trends.
He appeared as a character in the 2022 miniseries “WeCrashed” about WeWork’s rise and fall (played by actor Kelly AuCoin), in recognition of his role in publicly questioning WeWork’s business model before its implosion. He also has a voice-only cameo in season 3 of HBO’s “The White Lotus.”
His communication style is direct, often profane, and deliberately provocative. He doesn’t shy away from controversial topics and frequently challenges conventional wisdom. This approach has earned him both devoted followers who appreciate his candor and critics who find him bombastic or overly contrarian.
Galloway reaches millions across his various platforms—podcasts, YouTube, newsletter, social media, books, and speaking engagements. His ability to translate complex business and economic trends into engaging, accessible content has made him one of the most influential voices at the intersection of business, technology, and culture.
FAQs
What companies did Scott Galloway found?
Galloway founded nine companies, including Prophet (brand strategy, 1992), RedEnvelope (e-commerce, 1997), Firebrand Partners (hedge fund, 2005), L2 Inc. (digital intelligence, 2010), and Section (online education, 2019). His most successful exit was selling L2 to Gartner for $155 million in 2017.
What podcasts does Scott Galloway host?
Galloway co-hosts Pivot with Kara Swisher twice weekly and hosts several shows under the Prof G Media brand: The Prof G Pod, Prof G Markets, and Raging Moderates with Jessica Tarlov. His podcast network reaches millions of listeners globally.
What are Scott Galloway’s views on big tech?
Galloway argues that Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google wield excessive power that harms competition, privacy, and democracy. Since 2017, he has advocated for antitrust intervention and potentially breaking up these companies to restore competitive markets and reduce wealth concentration.
What is Scott Galloway’s net worth?
Estimates place Galloway’s net worth between $40 million and $100 million, earned through company sales, board positions, speaking fees, book royalties, podcast revenue, and investments. His largest single exit was selling L2 Inc. for $155 million.
What does Scott Galloway teach at NYU?
Galloway is a clinical professor of marketing at NYU Stern School of Business, teaching brand strategy and digital marketing to second-year MBA students. He was named one of the world’s 50 best business school professors in 2012 and donates his entire NYU salary back to the university.
What is Scott Galloway’s book Notes on Being a Man about?
Published in 2025, the book addresses the crisis facing young men in America, including rising suicide rates, addiction, and social isolation. Galloway advocates for healthy masculinity, shares personal stories from his own life, and calls on successful men to mentor younger generations.
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