Ben Thompson
Technology and business analyst who founded Stratechery in 2013, pioneering the subscription-based independent media model now widely replicated across the industry. Writing without corporate backing — after stints at Apple, Microsoft, and Automattic — Thompson delivers deep, framework-driven analysis of how technology reshapes markets, competition, and society. He originated Aggregation Theory, a widely cited model explaining how internet platforms capture value by controlling demand rather than supply. His Stratechery Daily Update is required reading in Silicon Valley, and he co-hosts the Dithering podcast with John Gruber. He is widely regarded as the most influential independent technology analyst writing today.
Known for
- Founded Stratechery in 2013, one of the first subscription newsletters and a model widely copied by thousands of independent writers
- Originated Aggregation Theory, a foundational framework explaining how internet platforms win by controlling demand — widely cited in tech and business
- Co-hosts Dithering with John Gruber (Daring Fireball), a subscriber-only twice-weekly podcast covering technology and culture
- Named to Fortune's Creator 25 list recognizing his influence as an independent analyst who shapes how the tech industry understands itself
Recent posts
Who’s Afraid of Chinese Models? | Stratechery by Ben Thompson
Jul 29, 2026
A Script for Mark Zuckerberg | Stratechery by Ben Thompson
Jul 16, 2026
Anthropic’s Safety Superpower | Stratechery by Ben Thompson
Jun 22, 2026
The iPhone’s Last Stand | Stratechery by Ben Thompson
Jun 17, 2026
The Google Capital Company | Stratechery by Ben Thompson
Jun 10, 2026
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