Daniel Ek is a Swedish entrepreneur, investor, and the self-made billionaire co-founder and CEO of Spotify (NYSE: SPOT), the world's largest music streaming service. Born in 1983 in Ragsved, a suburb of Stockholm, Sweden, his exposure to technology began early, fueled by his father, a computer systems analyst. Ek displayed an intense entrepreneurial drive from his teenage years: he started his first business at age 13 by building websites for small companies.

His early career was defined by serial entrepreneurship; he successfully sold his online advertising startup, Advertigo, in 2006, allowing him to briefly retire at age 23. However, his passion for music and his recognition of the pervasive problem of music piracy (in a country where The Pirate Bay was prominent) led him to co-found a new venture with his partner, Martin Lorentzon.

Daniel Ek co-founded Spotify with Martin Lorentzon in 2006. His strategic vision was audacious: create a legal streaming service that would offer instant access to any song, anywhere, effectively providing a legitimate alternative to illegal downloading. The company spent two years in development, focusing relentlessly on securing a comprehensive music catalog through negotiations with major record labels and ensuring an unparalleled user experience.

Spotify officially launched in October 2008 using a freemium model (basic service free, premium subscription paid), which proved transformative. Ek's emphasis on accessibility, massive catalog size, and legality quickly amassed a user base that reached 100 million users worldwide in 2016. This success fundamentally reshaped the global music industry, making Spotify the market leader and securing Ek's multi-billion dollar fortune. He continues to lead the company, strategically pivoting into podcasting and global content creation.

Daniel Ek's social impact is massive and cultural: he provided a legal path out of music piracy for millions of global consumers and established the dominant revenue model for the modern music industry. His platform is the primary means by which artists earn revenue globally.

His personal philanthropy often supports causes related to gaming, education, and his vision for the future of technology. His wealth and influence are leveraged to promote a user-centric approach to digital services and content distribution.

Daniel Ek maintains the casual, high-IQ style of a successful Swedish tech founder. His attire is consistently simple, favoring dark, well-fitting casual wear, often featuring t-shirts or simple jackets. His aesthetic is clean, functional, and reflective of his product-driven focus.

Residing in Stockholm, Sweden, his luxury is the profound security and autonomy derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is defined by his commitment to innovation, his passion for music (which he turned into a global business), and his personal interests in video games and his favorite football club, Arsenal FC.