John Hering grew up in Newport Beach, California. He is the son of an investment banker and an interior designer. He later attended the University of Southern California, where he studied public policy with a focus on planning and development. He left the university in 2006 without completing his degree.
Early Career Moves and Entry Into Technology
John Hering’s path in tech began while he was studying at the University of Southern California (USC). He earned an undergraduate degree in Public Policy, Planning and Development at USC.
As a student, Hering co-founded an online venture called DailyWireless, a mobile content platform that was later acquired, giving him early startup experience. During this time he developed a strong interest in mobile technology and security.
While still at USC, he and future co-founders Kevin Mahaffey and James Burgess tinkered with smartphones to uncover software vulnerabilities. This pioneering work on mobile devices set the stage for Hering’s next move into cybersecurity.
| Fact Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | John Hering |
| Profession | Entrepreneur, Cybersecurity Executive, Investor |
| Known For | Co-founder of Lookout (mobile security company) |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed; derived from cybersecurity ventures, investments, and executive roles |
| Date of Birth | 1984 (approximate, based on public data) |
| Age (2026) | Around 41–42 years old |
| Birthplace | Newport Beach, California, USA |
| Education | Attended University of Southern California (USC); studied Public Policy, did not complete degree |
| Early Career | Co-founded DailyWireless, a mobile content platform acquired early in his career |
| Breakthrough Moment | Co-founded Lookout in 2007, focusing on mobile security solutions |
| Major Company | Lookout – protects over 175 million devices globally |
| Leadership Role | Former CEO of Lookout; later Executive Chairman |
| Other Ventures | Co-founder of Coalition (cyber insurance and security company) |
| Investment Role | Partner at Vy Capital, investing in global technology companies |
| Industry Recognition | Featured in MIT Technology Review 35 Under 35 and Fortune 40 Under 40 |
| Key Expertise | Mobile security, cybersecurity strategy, technology investing |
| Notable Achievement | Pioneered early mobile threat detection before smartphones became mainstream |
How John Hering Started His Career in Cybersecurity
Hering’s entry into cybersecurity came through his experimentation with cellphones and hacking early in his career. As a USC undergraduate, he and his classmates tested the security of mobile phones and even demonstrated critical flaws at public events (for example, scanning celebrities’ phones on the Oscars red carpet).
These college-aged experiments highlighted a growing threat: smartphones were becoming widespread, yet they were largely unprotected. Recognizing this opportunity, in 2007 Hering and his USC classmates officially launched Lookout to protect mobile users. They founded Lookout while still connected to USC and with a vision that smartphone usage would soon eclipse PCs.
The Founding of Lookout and His Entrepreneurial Breakthrough
In 2007, at about age 23, Hering co-founded Lookout with Kevin Mahaffey and James Burgess. The startup focused on securing smartphones and tablets through an innovative mobile-first security app. Under Hering’s leadership as CEO, Lookout’s consumer app quickly gained traction. By 2013 it had tens of millions of downloads.
Hering led multiple funding rounds to fuel growth: by 2014 Lookout had raised roughly $130–$150 million from venture investors such as Qualcomm Ventures, Deutsche Telekom, Andreessen Horowitz, Greylock, Accel, Index Ventures, Khosla and Mithril.
These backers valued Lookout as a unicorn. During this phase Hering guided the expansion of Lookout’s technology beyond consumers. In 2013 he spearheaded the launch of Lookout for Business, an enterprise mobile security platform that allowed companies to manage and protect employee smartphones and tablets. Lookout also earned industry recognition and built carrier partnerships worldwide.
John Hering’s Leadership Role in Building Lookout
As CEO from founding until early 2014, Hering managed product strategy, partnerships and market expansion. Under his tenure over 50 million people worldwide were using its mobile security app. Hering worked closely with mobile operators to preinstall Lookout on devices and to form alliances.
In March 2014, he transitioned from CEO to Executive Chairman of Lookout. He shifted focus toward long-term strategy and partnerships while a new CEO handled daily operations.
His role focused on market strategy, product direction, partnerships, and leadership in the security community. Even after relinquishing the CEO title, Hering remained deeply involved in guiding product vision and company culture.
Career Expansion Beyond Lookout
Beyond Lookout, Hering has co-founded and backed other cybersecurity ventures. In 2016 he co-founded At-Bay, a cyber-insurance startup. The following year, in March 2017, Hering co-founded Coalition.
Coalition combined cybersecurity tools with an insurance platform and quickly attracted substantial funding. By 2021 Coalition had raised over $500 million and was valued above $3.5 billion.
Coalition became one of the largest cyber insurance and security providers in the United States and Canada. These ventures reflect Hering’s expansion into broader cybersecurity markets beyond mobile devices.
John Hering’s Work as an Investor and Technology Backer
In parallel with his executive roles, Hering has been active as a technology investor. He became a Partner at Vy Capital, a global technology investment firm managing over $1 billion in assets. The firm focuses on investing in fundamental technological change, including artificial intelligence and other advanced sectors.
Through this role, Hering has invested in dozens of technology startups across cybersecurity, enterprise software, artificial intelligence, and related industries. His investment work extends his influence beyond company building into supporting new innovation.
Major Career Milestones and Industry Recognition
Hering’s career includes multiple industry recognitions and milestones. He has been named a Best Young Tech Entrepreneur by BusinessWeek and included in MIT Technology Review’s 35 Under 35 list. Fortune also included him in its 40 Under 40 ranking.
He has been recognized as an influential figure in technology and cybersecurity. Hering has also been a frequent speaker at major global industry conferences including RSA Conference, Black Hat, DEF CON, and Mobile World Congress. His leadership in scaling Lookout and building new cybersecurity ventures represents a key part of his professional legacy.
Current Work, Recent Projects, and Professional Activities
John Hering continues to serve as a co-founder and executive leader at Lookout, focusing on long-term vision and strategic direction. Lookout now protects over 175 million devices globally and works with major organizations including the US Department of Defense and the New Zealand Defense Force.
Alongside his work at Lookout, Hering remains active through Vy Capital, where he participates in technology investments and advises companies. He continues to engage with the cybersecurity community through conferences and strategic initiatives, maintaining an active role in shaping the future of digital security.
John Hering Net Worth
As of 2026, John Hering’s net worth has not been publicly disclosed, and no official figures have been verified by major financial authorities. His income is primarily derived from his corporate and investment roles, including his board position at Lookout (where he is listed as a co-founder), his role as a partner at Vy Capital, and his positions as Chief Executive Officer and director at Vy Global Growth. However, specific details regarding his earnings have not been made public.
FAQs
1. Who is John Hering?
John Hering is an American entrepreneur and cybersecurity executive. He is best known as the co-founder of Lookout, a mobile security company focused on protecting smartphones and enterprise devices.
2. What is John Hering known for?
He is widely recognized for his role in advancing mobile security through Lookout. His early work helped identify vulnerabilities in smartphones before cybersecurity in mobile devices became mainstream.
3. What companies has John Hering founded?
John Hering co-founded Lookout in 2007 along with Kevin Mahaffey and James Burgess. He has also co-founded Coalition, a company that combines cybersecurity services with insurance.
4. What is John Hering’s role at Lookout?
Hering served as CEO of Lookout until 2014. He later transitioned to Executive Chairman, focusing on long-term strategy and partnerships.
5. What did John Hering study?
He attended the University of Southern California, where he studied Public Policy, Planning, and Development. He left before completing his degree to pursue entrepreneurial ventures.
