How did Instagram's founders approach diversity and inclusion?

I don't have real-time data or personal insights into Instagram's founders' thought processes. However, I can provide a general perspective based on public information.

Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, the founders of Instagram, were primarily focused on product development and growth in the early stages of the company. Like many tech startups, they may not have explicitly focused on diversity and inclusion as part of their initial strategy.

However, as the company grew and the importance of diversity and inclusion in the tech industry became more apparent, Instagram, like many other tech companies, began to address these issues. They have since implemented various initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion, such as:

1. Employee resource groups: Instagram has several employee resource groups (ERGs) that focus on supporting underrepresented communities within the company, such as women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people of color.

2. Inclusive hiring practices: Instagram has made efforts to increase diversity in its workforce by implementing inclusive hiring practices, such as removing names and other identifying information from resumes during the initial screening process to reduce unconscious bias.

3. Training and development: Instagram provides training and development programs to help employees better understand diversity, inclusion, and unconscious bias. They also offer resources to help employees navigate and support underrepresented groups.

4. Product development: Instagram has taken steps to ensure its products are inclusive and accessible to all users. For example, they have introduced features like automatic alternative text for images, which helps visually impaired users access and engage with content on the platform.

5. Partnerships and initiatives: Instagram has partnered with various organizations to promote diversity and inclusion within the tech industry. For example, they have supported the #VisibleMe campaign, which aims to increase visibility and opportunities for underrepresented groups in tech.

It's important to note that while Instagram has made efforts to address diversity and inclusion, like many tech companies, they still have work to do in this area. Continuous efforts and commitment are required to create a truly diverse and inclusive environment.