From Bebo Beginnings to Global Good: The Dynamic Journey of Michael & Xochi Birch
How a British-Californian duo turned late-’90s venture hustle into social media success, creative spaces, and a legacy of giving back.
Seeds of Innovation: A Duo Meets in Code
Their story begins at Imperial College London, where Michael (a physics major turned programmer) and Xochi (a Californian student on exchange) crossed paths in a lively pub. It was a momentary spark; months later, Michael said, “I do in some respects. I actually didn’t miss it when we first sold it… but now we’re back in control it actually feels quite exciting.” — speaking about reclaiming Bebo. Their shared curiosity led to marriage and a life filled with audacious startup visions.
Building a Digital Community & Hitting Gold
In the late 1990s, the couple launched several early ventures—like BirthdayAlarm.com and Ringo.com—building experience and synergy. Their biggest leap came in 2005 with Bebo, a posting platform that quickly captured tens of millions of hearts. By 2007, Bebo ranked above AOL, Amazon UK, and BBC in traffic.
Three years later, Bebo was sold to AOL for $850 million, netting the pair an enormous return.
A Bold Comeback & Rebirth
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