Jan Koum is a Ukrainian American entrepreneur who is best known for co-founding the messaging and voice over IP service company WhatsApp, which he sold to Facebook for $19 billion in 2014. He has not publicly mentioned any specific mentors or individuals who have significantly influenced his career or personal development. However, he has spoken about his upbringing in Ukraine and the influence of his parents on his values and work ethic. In an interview with Forbes, he described his mother as a "tough cookie" who instilled in him the importance of hard work and discipline. He has also credited his time in the United States as a youth with shaping his perspective on technology and its potential to connect people.