Kevin Rose, a name synonymous with the early Web 2.0 era, has once again positioned himself at the forefront of the technological zeitgeist, marking 2025 as a year of significant reinvention and strategic moves. The co-founder of the iconic social news site Digg and a long-time venture capitalist, Rose is not resting on his past successes; instead, he is aggressively shaping the future of Web3, AI, and media.
As of late 2025, his portfolio has seen major shifts, including a significant exit in the NFT space, a new, elevated role in venture capital, and the surprising resurrection of a beloved internet brand. This deep dive explores the current landscape of Kevin Rose's career, detailing the five most impactful projects and roles defining his influence in the modern tech ecosystem.
Kevin Rose: Biography and Career Profile
Kevin Rose's journey is a blueprint for the modern tech entrepreneur, characterized by early success, strategic investing, and a relentless pursuit of the next big thing. His career spans two decades of building and backing influential companies.
- Full Name: Kevin Rose
- Born: February 21, 1977 (Age 48 as of late 2025)
- Birthplace: California, U.S.
- Education: Attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), but dropped out.
- Early Career: Co-host of the popular tech TV show The Screen Savers on TechTV.
- Founding Successes:
- Digg (2004): Co-founder and CEO of the social news aggregator that pioneered community-driven content ranking.
- Revision3 (2005): Co-founder of the Internet television network.
- Milk (2011): Mobile application incubator.
- PROOF (2022): Co-founder and CEO of the Web3 media and technology company behind the Moonbirds NFT collection.
- Venture Capital Roles:
- GV (Google Ventures) (2009–2015): General Partner.
- True Ventures (2017–Present): Partner, with a focus on early-stage companies.
- Recent Major Events (2024–2025):
- PROOF acquired by Yuga Labs (2024).
- Elevated to full-time Partner at True Ventures (Feb 2025).
- Moonbirds NFT collection acquired by a Web3 Gaming Startup (Jun 2025).
- Announcement of the return of Digg with AI integration (2025).
1. The Return of Digg: A Social News Site Reimagined with AI
Perhaps the most surprising news of 2025 is the resurrection of Digg, the platform that once defined how users consumed internet content. After years of dormancy, Rose is bringing the social news aggregator back with a completely modern—and highly relevant—twist: artificial intelligence.
The new iteration of Digg is being developed with the help of key figures from the Web3 and social media world, including Moonbirds co-creator Justin Mezzell and Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. This collaboration signals a serious intent to challenge the current social media landscape, which has become dominated by algorithmic feeds and filter bubbles.
The AI-Driven Intent of Digg 3.0
The core vision for the new Digg is to leverage AI tools to create a "better, more human internet." While details are still emerging, the project aims to use AI to curate, summarize, and categorize content in a way that is more transparent and less manipulative than existing platforms. The re-launch of Digg in 2025 is a direct response to the perceived failures of Web 2.0 platforms, seeking to restore the power of content curation back to the community, amplified by smart technology.
2. Full-Time Partner at True Ventures: Doubling Down on Early-Stage Investing
Kevin Rose has long been a fixture in the venture capital world, notably at GV (Google Ventures) and as a Partner at True Ventures since 2017. However, February 2025 marked a significant elevation in his commitment to True Ventures, as he was welcomed as a new full-time Partner.
True Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm known for backing founders from the very beginning. Rose's new role solidifies his position as a key decision-maker in the firm's investment strategy, focusing heavily on the next generation of consumer technology, Web3 infrastructure, and AI-driven startups.
Recent Investment Focuses
Rose's personal investment portfolio reflects this forward-looking approach. His latest reported investment, made on October 27, 2025, was in Steven.com, a company operating in the Media and Information sector. This aligns with his deep experience in content and media, suggesting a continued interest in the evolving digital information space.
His involvement at True Ventures also positions him to mentor founders at events like True Ventures Founder Camp and TechCrunch Disrupt 2025, where he is scheduled to speak. His advice is highly sought after, combining the perspective of a successful founder who has navigated multiple market cycles with the sharp eye of a seasoned investor.
3. The Moonbirds Exit: Shifting the Web3 Strategy
Kevin Rose’s most high-profile venture in the Web3 space was PROOF, the media and technology company he co-founded, which was responsible for the enormously successful Moonbirds NFT collection. The project, launched in 2022, quickly became one of the most recognized blue-chip NFT collections.
The strategic shifts involving PROOF and Moonbirds in 2024 and 2025 highlight Rose’s pragmatic approach to the volatile crypto market.
The Two-Part Acquisition
The first major move was the acquisition of PROOF by Yuga Labs in 2024. As part of this deal, Rose transitioned into an advisory role at Yuga Labs, the company behind the Bored Ape Yacht Club.
The story didn't end there. In June 2025, the Moonbirds NFT collection itself was acquired by a Web3 Gaming Startup from Yuga Labs. This second acquisition signifies a potential pivot for the Moonbirds IP toward the rapidly growing Web3 gaming sector. For Rose, the successful exit of PROOF and the subsequent strategic sale of the Moonbirds collection represent a massive financial and strategic win, allowing him to focus on new frontiers outside of the volatile PFP (Profile Picture) NFT market.
4. The "Oh Hello 2025" Podcast and Personal Insights
Beyond his corporate and investment roles, Rose remains a prominent voice through his personal media channels, including his blog and podcast. His "Oh Hello 2025" series and appearances on shows like The Random Show with Tim Ferriss provide a candid look at his personal and professional outlook for the year.
In these discussions, he tackles high-level, future-forward topics, including his 2025 predictions on the impact of AI, the future of Bitcoin (BTC) and other cryptocurrencies, and even speculation on aliens and fitness goals. These insights are highly valued by the tech community, positioning him as a thought leader who can translate complex trends into actionable or understandable concepts.
5. Navigating Personal Challenges and Public Life
While his professional life has been defined by strategic success, Rose has also faced significant personal challenges that he has shared publicly. The most notable recent event was the complete destruction of his Los Angeles home in the recent California wildfires.
Sharing images of the devastation, Rose’s transparency about this loss underscores the human element behind the tech mogul. This willingness to share personal struggles resonates deeply with his audience, further building his reputation as an authentic and relatable figure, even as he operates in the high-stakes world of venture capital and Web3.
The Enduring Legacy of an Innovator
From his early days on The Screen Savers to pioneering social news with Digg, and now navigating the complex world of Web3 and AI with True Ventures and the new Digg, Kevin Rose’s career is a masterclass in adaptation. His moves in 2025—the True Ventures promotion, the strategic Moonbirds exit, and the AI-powered Digg reboot—confirm his status not just as a successful entrepreneur, but as a perpetual innovator who remains highly relevant in the ever-shifting landscape of technology. He is a key entity in the ongoing narrative of how the internet evolves.