Hulu founder to give UNC commencement address

Jason Kilar, Class of 1993, will deliver the commencement address to the Class of 2015.

Posted 1:58 p.m. Jan 30, 2015 — Updated 1:58 p.m. Jan 30, 2015

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Jason Kilar followed his career at the University of North Carolina with an MBA from Harvard and started his professional life at Amazon. Since that time, the entrepreneur founded two companies changing how video is delivered.

Kilar will deliver again at his alma mater on May 10, when he gives the commencement address to the Class of 2015.

Kilar, founding CEO of Hulu is now co-founder and CEO of Vessel.

Kilar grew Hulu's streaming television and movie service into a $1 billion-per-year venture with 6 million paying subscribers. He left in 2013 and in 2014 started Vessel, a next-generation mobile video service that will cater to the creators of short-form video. Kilar also serves on the board of directors at DreamWorks Animation.

“Carolina is honored to have Jason Kilar, a proud alumnus and highly successful entrepreneur, as our commencement speaker,” UNC Chancellor Carol L. Folt said. “Jason’s innovations have had a significant impact on the way people experience media and entertainment, and his continued accomplishments are an inspiration to all at Carolina who strive to use their talents to do better and do more. Jason’s path is particularly relevant to this year’s graduates, whose generation is among the most entrepreneurial in history."

Kilar said he was humbled by the invitation and looking forward to a return to Chapel Hill.

“There are few things in life that approach the beauty of a sunny Sunday in May in Chapel Hill. I look forward to returning this spring to the University that I love, to pause by the Old Well, and most importantly, to proudly celebrate the class of 2015 as they set off to change the world."

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