P. J. Hyett | $1B+
Get in touch with P. J. Hyett | Phillip Jeffrey Hyett, cofounder of GitHub, helped create the platform that became the default home for modern software collaboration, reshaping how developers build, review, and ship code at global scale. As GitHub evolved from a developer tool into a foundational layer of the internet’s software stack, Hyett played a key role in its early product DNA and community-first growth, helping turn open-source momentum into a dominant enterprise platform. GitHub’s rise culminated in its landmark acquisition by Microsoft, cementing Hyett’s place among the entrepreneurs who defined the modern developer economy.
Phillip Jeffrey Hyett (born August 10, 1983) is an American software engineer, entrepreneur, and professional racing driver best known as a co-founder of the code-hosting platform GitHub and as the owner-driver of AO Racing, where he has achieved multiple victories in international endurance racing series. Raised in Naperville, Illinois, Hyett earned a bachelor's degree in computer science from North Central College before entering the tech industry.[1][2][3]
Hyett joined GitHub as its third co-founder in January 2008 alongside Chris Wanstrath and Tom Preston-Werner, contributing to the platform's early development as a web-based Git repository hosting service designed to simplify code collaboration for developers.[4] The company launched publicly on April 10, 2008, and rapidly grew into a cornerstone of software development, attracting over 28 million users by 2018 when Microsoft acquired it for $7.5 billion; Hyett, who had stepped back from day-to-day operations in the company's early years, retained significant equity in the deal.[5][2] Beyond GitHub, Hyett has been involved in open-source projects and tech philanthropy, supporting initiatives for diversity in engineering.[6]
Transitioning to motorsports in 2022, Hyett co-founded AO Racing with Gunnar Jeannette, initially competing in GT classes before moving to prototypes; the team fields Porsche and Oreca entries themed around a dragon mascot.[7] In 2025, Hyett secured the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship LMP2 Drivers' Championship with victories at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and Road America, while also clinching the European Le Mans Series LMP2 Pro/Am title and a victory in the LMP2 Pro/Am class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.[8][9]
Biography
Early life
P. J. Hyett was born on August 10, 1983, in Naperville, Illinois.[10]
He grew up in this affluent Chicago suburb, experiencing a typical Midwestern upbringing.
Limited public information is available regarding his family background, though Hyett has cited his parents as his real-life heroes. Both he and his wife were raised in families committed to volunteering and community service.[6]
Education
P. J. Hyett attended North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, earning a bachelor's degree.[2] He majored in computer science.[11]
This education provided the foundational knowledge in programming and software principles that propelled his entry into the technology industry. Following graduation, Hyett relocated to San Francisco, where he served as a senior software engineer at CNET Networks, applying his academic background to professional software development roles.[3][12]
Technology career
GitHub co-founding
P. J. Hyett co-founded GitHub in 2008 alongside Chris Wanstrath and Tom Preston-Werner, joining the project in February as the third core member while the trio worked as programmers at CNET.[13] The idea emerged from discussions in 2007 about improving collaboration on open-source projects like Ruby on Rails. GitHub was developed using Ruby on Rails to provide a web-based platform for Git repositories, enabling easier sharing and forking of code. The site entered private beta in mid-January 2008 and publicly launched on April 10, 2008, without external publicity or investment.[4][13]
As a software developer, Hyett played a pivotal role in the platform's early technical development, contributing to core features that facilitated version control and collaborative coding, such as repository hosting and basic sharing mechanisms. These innovations addressed limitations in command-line Git by offering a user-friendly interface for developers to track changes, fork projects, and propose modifications—foundational elements that set GitHub apart from competitors. Hyett's involvement extended to supporting the initial infrastructure, including the integration of Git with web services, during the company's formative months when the team operated remotely and balanced full-time jobs. His technical leadership helped ensure the platform's reliability as it transitioned from beta to public use.[4][14]
GitHub's early growth was driven by organic adoption within the developer community, reaching 100,000 registered users by July 2009 and hosting 46,000 public repositories by February of that year, largely through word-of-mouth referrals. The company remained bootstrapped during this period, funding operations via paid private repository plans without venture capital, which allowed the founders to maintain control over product direction. This self-sustained approach culminated in recognition as the best bootstrapped startup of 2008, underscoring the platform's rapid traction among programmers seeking efficient collaboration tools. Hyett served as a key technical lead through these years, guiding development as GitHub scaled to over 1 million repositories by 2010.[4][15][16]
Microsoft acquisition and legacy
In June 2018, Microsoft announced its acquisition of GitHub for $7.5 billion in stock, a deal that closed later that year and marked a pivotal moment for the platform's future under a major technology corporation.[17][18] This transaction valued co-founder P. J. Hyett's stake in GitHub at approximately $1 billion, reflecting his significant equity from the company's early bootstrapped growth to a dominant force in software development.[19]
During the acquisition transition, Hyett did not take on a formal operational role at GitHub under Microsoft, as the co-founders largely stepped back following the sale; he has since focused on entrepreneurial ventures outside the company, including investments and motorsports.[19] By 2021, Hyett's net worth was estimated at $1.6 billion, derived primarily from his GitHub proceeds and subsequent investments.[20]
Hyett's legacy through GitHub endures in the open-source ecosystem, where the platform he co-founded revolutionized collaborative coding by enabling millions of developers to share, review, and version-control code seamlessly, establishing standards for modern developer tools that persist today.[2] Under Microsoft's stewardship post-acquisition, GitHub expanded its reach, further amplifying Hyett's foundational contributions to industry practices like pull requests and repository management that underpin global software innovation.[21]
Racing career
Entry into racing
P. J. Hyett's entry into professional motorsport was fueled by his longstanding passion for cars and racing history, which he had cultivated as a collector and enthusiast prior to his debut.[7]
The financial independence gained from co-founding GitHub and its $7.5 billion acquisition by Microsoft in 2018 enabled him to transition from hobbyist driving to competitive racing.[22]
As a gentleman racer with amateur experience in track days and private sessions, Hyett obtained the necessary FIA international license and underwent specialized training to prepare for professional competition.[23]
In July 2022, he made his professional debut at Watkins Glen International in the GT World Challenge America series, competing in the Pro-Am class.[23]
Hyett drove the #00 Porsche 911 GT3 R for Team Hardpoint, partnered with experienced driver Gunnar Jeannette.
AO Racing involvement
In 2022, P. J. Hyett co-founded AO Racing alongside Gunnar Jeannette, establishing the team with an ambitious vision to compete and succeed at the highest levels of professional endurance racing.[7] The partnership leveraged Jeannette's extensive experience as a former IMSA driver and team manager to build a competitive operation focused on strategic growth and innovative approaches to team dynamics.[24]
AO Racing made its competitive debut in the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship by entering the Grand Touring Daytona (GTD) class with a Porsche 911 GT3 R, marking the team's initial foray into professional series racing.[24] The following year, in 2024, the team expanded its program to include the Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) class, fielding the No. 99 Oreca 07 Gibson under the distinctive "Spike the Dragon" livery—a purple and orange dragon mascot symbolizing the team's bold and aggressive spirit.[25][26] This expansion continued into 2025, broadening AO Racing's presence across multiple classes and enhancing its competitive footprint in endurance events.[27]
Hyett serves in a dual capacity as both team owner and driver, actively participating in races while overseeing operational aspects such as team management and securing key sponsorships to sustain the organization's growth.[28][29] His hands-on leadership has been instrumental in fostering partnerships with entities like Porsche Motorsport North America and logistics firms, ensuring the team's resources align with its high-performance objectives.[29][30]
Major achievements
P. J. Hyett's racing career began in the GT category. In 2022, he competed in the FIA World Endurance Championship's GTE-Am class driving a Porsche 911 RSR-19 for Team Project 1, securing a second-place finish in class at the season-ending 8 Hours of Bahrain alongside Gunnar Jeannette and Ben Barnicoat.[31][32] By 2023, Hyett transitioned to competing with his own team, AO Racing, initially in GT classes within the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and other series, building experience that propelled the team's expansion from a single-car GT effort to a competitive LMP2 program by 2024.[33] This progression culminated in 2025, as Hyett and AO Racing achieved dominance in the LMP2 category, reflecting the team's growth into a full-season prototype contender with enhanced engineering and driver lineups.[34]
In 2024, Hyett earned his first IMSA podium finishes in LMP2, including third place at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, third place at Road America with Paul-Loup Chatin, and third place at Motul Petit Le Mans, marking AO Racing's breakthrough in the class despite a learning curve from GT machinery.[35][10] These results built momentum for 2025, when Hyett was confirmed for a full-season IMSA LMP2 campaign alongside four-time champion Dane Cameron in the No. 99 ORECA 07-Gibson "Spike the Dragon," emphasizing the team's strategic shift toward endurance prototype racing.[34]
Hyett's 2025 season highlighted his rapid ascent, starting with a class podium at the Rolex 24 at Daytona and escalating to victories at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park—where he and Cameron triumphed overall in LMP2 after starting from pole—and Road America, the latter securing their second consecutive win and vaulting them to the top of the standings with a 107-point lead.[36][24] These triumphs contributed to Hyett clinching the 2025 IMSA WeatherTech LMP2 Drivers' Championship, along with the Jim Trueman Award for the top Bronze-rated driver, underscoring AO Racing's evolution into a class-leading force. Additionally, Hyett secured the 2025 European Le Mans Series LMP2 Pro/Am Drivers' Championship.[37][38]
A pinnacle achievement came at the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans, where Hyett, Cameron, and teammates Louis Delétraz and Jonny Edgar delivered AO Racing's first victory in the LMP2 Pro-Am class, finishing third overall in LMP2 and earning automatic entry to the 2026 event via the Trueman Award.[39] This success, combined with the season's poles and consistent finishes, solidified Hyett's reputation as a competitive Bronze driver capable of leading professional efforts in endurance racing.[40]
Personal life
Family
P. J. Hyett is married to Kendra Hyett, who earned a BA in English Writing and a minor in Gender and Women's Studies from North Central College.[41] The couple welcomed their first child in late 2016, and they now have two young children.[6]
Hyett's family plays a supportive role in his racing endeavors, with the couple planning family trips to major events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans, initially as spectators before his participation.[24] Their children's interests have directly influenced aspects of his AO Racing team, including the dinosaur-themed livery on the "Roxy" Porsche 911 GT3 Rawr, inspired by a shared family enthusiasm for prehistoric creatures and fantasy elements.[42]
The Hyetts emphasize family involvement in philanthropy, reflecting a joint commitment to volunteering and community service that balances Hyett's careers in technology and motorsport.[6]
Residence and interests
P. J. Hyett resides in the greater Chicago area.[24] Beyond his professional endeavors, Hyett pursues personal interests in automotive collecting, owning a notable private assortment of vehicles that reflects his passion for cars outside competitive racing.[43] He and his wife are committed philanthropists, focusing on initiatives that promote diversity, particularly supporting women and underrepresented groups in the technology sector.[6]
Hyett balances his high-profile commitments with a low-key private life, engaging in community involvement through targeted charitable efforts while prioritizing family time in his Chicago-area home.[24]
Racing record
Career summary
P. J. Hyett's professional racing career commenced in 2022 with participation in the GT America Pro/Am class, where he competed in four events driving a Porsche 911 GT3 R for Team Hardpoint, finishing 17th in the championship standings. Over the subsequent years, he advanced to the LMP2 category, racing in prominent series including the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, European Le Mans Series, and select FIA World Endurance Championship rounds, such as the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans. From 2022 to 2025, Hyett has contested 55 races across these and other GT and prototype events, amassing 4 overall or class wins, 12 podiums, and 1 championship title.[44][45]
As the founder and owner of AO Racing since 2022, Hyett has directly influenced the team's competitive edge, with the organization achieving a win rate exceeding 25% in LMP2 and GTD class entries during his leadership, including back-to-back victories at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and Road America in the 2025 IMSA season.[24] This performance contributed to AO Racing's first LMP2 Drivers' Championship in 2025, where Hyett, alongside Dane Cameron, secured the title with two wins, one additional podium, and three pole positions over the full season.[8] Hyett's dual role as owner-driver has elevated AO Racing's success rate, particularly in endurance racing, exemplified by the LMP2 Pro/Am class victory at the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans.[46]
FIA World Endurance Championship
Hyett made his debut in the FIA World Endurance Championship during the 2022 season, contesting a single event in the LMGTE Am class aboard a Porsche 911 RSR-19 for Team Project 1, where he secured a runner-up class finish at the season-ending 8 Hours of Bahrain alongside Gunnar Jeannette and Ben Barnicoat.[31]
In 2023, Hyett returned for a partial campaign with Project 1 – AO in the same Porsche 911 RSR-19 and LMGTE Am category, participating in five of the seven rounds and accumulating 24 points to end the year 17th in the FIA Endurance Trophy for LMGTE Am Drivers.
From 2024 onward, Hyett shifted to the LMP2 class, entering exclusively the 24 Hours of Le Mans each year with AO by TF Sport in an Oreca 07-Gibson, earning 18 points (via a double-points sixth-place overall finish and second in Pro/Am) in 2024 and 30 points (via a double-points third-place overall finish and first in Pro/Am) in 2025.[47][48][49]
The following table summarizes Hyett's complete FIA WEC results:
Year Round Circuit Team Car Class Overall Position Class Position (Pro/Am where applicable) Points Scored
2022 6 Bahrain International Circuit Project 1 Porsche 911 RSR-19 LMGTE Am 24th 2nd 20
2023 1 Sebring International Speedway Project 1 – AO Porsche 911 RSR-19 LMGTE Am 29th 9th 2
2023 3 Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps Project 1 – AO Porsche 911 RSR-19 LMGTE Am Withdrew Withdrew 0
2023 4 Circuit de la Sarthe (Le Mans) Project 1 – AO Porsche 911 RSR-19 LMGTE Am 38th 7th 8
2023 6 Fuji Speedway Project 1 – AO Porsche 911 RSR-19 LMGTE Am 31st 7th 8
2023 7 Bahrain International Circuit Project 1 – AO Porsche 911 RSR-19 LMGTE Am 27th 5th 6
2024 4 Circuit de la Sarthe (Le Mans) AO by TF Sport Oreca 07-Gibson LMP2 23rd 6th (2nd Pro/Am) 18
2025 4 Circuit de la Sarthe (Le Mans) AO by TF Sport Oreca 07-Gibson LMP2 20th 3rd (1st Pro/Am) 30
24 Hours of Le Mans
P. J. Hyett debuted at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2024, competing in the LMP2 Pro/Am class with AO Racing in partnership with TF Sport. The team's entry, the No. 14 Oreca 07-Gibson, featured the eye-catching "Spike the Dragon" livery—a purple and orange design inspired by a mythical dragon—that made its historic first appearance at the Circuit de la Sarthe. This distinctive paint scheme, created to embody the team's bold and aggressive racing ethos, quickly became a fan favorite and symbol of AO Racing's innovative approach to endurance racing.[50][51]
Sharing the car with Louis Delétraz and Alex Quinn, Hyett's team secured pole position in the LMP2 category through Delétraz's qualifying lap of 3:33.217. The trio delivered a strong performance, completing 361 laps to finish second in the Pro/Am subcategory behind Panis Racing's No. 65 entry, demonstrating solid reliability and pace in their maiden Le Mans outing despite challenging conditions.
Hyett returned for the 2025 edition in the No. 199 Oreca 07, again partnering with Delétraz and now Dane Cameron under the AO by TF banner. The "Spike the Dragon" entry claimed pole position in the Pro/Am class with a best lap of 3:35.xxx, setting the tone for a dominant run. The team navigated the 24-hour endurance test with consistent stints, avoiding significant mechanical issues or crashes, and crossed the line after 363 laps to secure a class victory in the LMP2 Pro/Am category—their first Le Mans win and a crowning achievement for Hyett as driver and team principal. This success underscored the evolution of the "Spike the Dragon" program from promising debutant to class conqueror.[48][9][54][49]
Year Class Team Car Co-drivers Starting Position (LMP2) Finishing Position (Pro/Am) Laps Completed
2024 LMP2 Pro/Am AO by TF Oreca 07-Gibson #14 Louis Delétraz, Alex Quinn 1st 2nd 361
2025 LMP2 Pro/Am AO by TF Oreca 07 #199 Louis Delétraz, Dane Cameron 1st (Pro/Am) 1st 363
IMSA SportsCar Championship
P. J. Hyett entered the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2023 competing in the GTD class for AO Racing in the No. 80 Porsche 911 GT3 R, alongside co-drivers Sebastian Priaulx and Gunnar Jeannette, with Harry Tincknell joining for select endurance events. The team contested all 11 rounds, achieving class finishes including 6th at Portland International Raceway and 7th at Road America, but encountered challenges such as a DNS at Long Beach. Hyett ended the season 16th in the GTD drivers' standings with 240 points.[55][56]
In 2024, Hyett transitioned to the LMP2 class, driving the No. 99 Oreca 07 Gibson for AO Racing, marking the team's shift from GT to prototype machinery. He participated in seven rounds, primarily the endurance races and select sprints, with co-drivers including Paul-Loup Chatin and Matthew Brabham. Notable results included a 3rd-place class finish at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and 4th at Watkins Glen and Petit Le Mans. Hyett secured four pole positions, earning the Motul Pole Award, and concluded the season 6th in the LMP2 drivers' standings with 230 points.[57][58]
Round Race Date Co-Drivers Class Position Points
1 Rolex 24 at Daytona Jan 27–28 Paul-Loup Chatin, Matthew Brabham, Alex Quinn 6th 23
2 Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Mar 16 Paul-Loup Chatin, Matthew Brabham 5th 26
6 Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen Jun 23 Paul-Loup Chatin, Matthew Brabham 4th 29
7 Chevrolet Grand Prix (Canadian Tire Motorsport Park) Jul 14 Paul-Loup Chatin, Louis Delétraz 3rd 32
8 IMSA Sportscar Weekend (Road America) Aug 4 Paul-Loup Chatin 6th 23
10 Tire Rack.com Battle on the Bricks (Indianapolis) Sep 22 Paul-Loup Chatin, Matthew Brabham 5th 26
11 Motul Petit Le Mans Oct 12 Paul-Loup Chatin, Matthew Brabham 4th 29
Hyett remained in LMP2 for 2025 with AO Racing in the No. 99 Oreca 07, paired full-season with Dane Cameron and joined by Jonny Edgar for the five endurance rounds. The team focused on a similar schedule of seven events, delivering consistent top results with three poles. Key highlights included class wins at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and Road America, plus an additional podium at Watkins Glen, culminating in a 6th-place finish at Petit Le Mans to secure the title. Hyett claimed the LMP2 drivers' championship, his first in IMSA, with 2254 points—a margin over second place—while also earning the Jim Trueman Award as the top Bronze-rated driver.[59][24][60][40][61][8]
Round Race Date Co-Drivers Class Position Points
1 Rolex 24 at Daytona Jan 25–26 Dane Cameron, Jonny Edgar, Christian Rasmussen 5th 35
2 Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Mar 15 Dane Cameron, Jonny Edgar 4th 32
6 Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen (Watkins Glen) Jun 22 Dane Cameron, Jonny Edgar 3rd (podium) 32
7 Chevrolet Grand Prix (Canadian Tire Motorsport Park) Jul 13 Dane Cameron 1st (win) 35
8 IMSA Sportscar Weekend (Road America) Aug 3 Dane Cameron 1st (win) 35
10 Tire Rack.com Battle on the Bricks (Indianapolis) Sep 21 Dane Cameron, Jonny Edgar 5th 26
11 Motul Petit Le Mans Oct 11 Dane Cameron, Jonny Edgar 6th 23
Other series results
Hyett made his competitive debut in GT racing during the 2022 GT America season, entering the Pro/Am class at Watkins Glen International with Team Hardpoint aboard a Porsche 911 GT3 R alongside Gunnar Jeannette.[62]
Round Date Circuit Overall Finish Class Finish (Pro/Am) Notes
7 July 23 Watkins Glen 12th 3rd Fastest lap in class
8 July 24 Watkins Glen Withdrew Withdrew Incident in support race
Hyett transitioned to prototype racing in the 2023–24 Asian Le Mans Series, competing in the LMP2 class for Proton Competition in the No. 55 Oreca 07 Gibson with Paul-Loup Chatin and Harry Tincknell. The team achieved points finishes in four of five rounds, highlighted by Hyett's first LMP2 pole position at Dubai, though a retirement marred the Abu Dhabi finale; they concluded 9th in the LMP2 drivers' standings with 30 points.[63][64]
Round Date Circuit Class Finish (LMP2)
1 Dec 2, 2023 Sepang 4th
2 Dec 3, 2023 Sepang 5th
3 Feb 4, 2024 Dubai 7th
4 Feb 10, 2024 Abu Dhabi 10th
5 Feb 11, 2024 Abu Dhabi Ret
In 2025, Hyett raced full-time in the European Le Mans Series LMP2 Pro/Am class for AO by TF Sport in the No. 99 Oreca 07 Gibson, sharing driving duties with Louis Deletraz and Dane Cameron. The team secured one class victory and four additional podiums across six rounds, clinching the LMP2 Pro/Am drivers' and teams' championships with 100 points. Hyett was awarded Gentleman Driver of the Year.[65][66][67]
Round Date Circuit Overall Finish Class Finish (LMP2 Pro/Am)
1 Apr 15 Barcelona-Catalunya 20th 8th
2 May 13 Paul Ricard 3rd 2nd
3 Jun 17 Imola 6th 1st
4 Jul 23 Spa-Francorchamps 10th 3rd
5 Sep 14 Silverstone 8th 2nd
6 Oct 12 Portimão 6th 2nd
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