Startups, Social Media, and Innovation by Nikita Bier

Nikita Bier is a product innovator best known for creating TBH, a teen-positive social app acquired by Meta in 2017, and Gas, another viral teen app acquired by Discord in 2022. In 2025, Bier became Head of Product at X (formerly Twitter), tasked with revitalizing the platform’s growth and user engagement. His products are designed to foster supportive interactions among younger audiences, a niche that has produced some of the fastest-growing social apps of the past decade.

Bier earned his degree from UC Berkeley and began his career in political tech with the app Politify before pivoting to social networking. His skill in viral growth tactics—often relying on scarcity, invite systems, and positive reinforcement—has attracted both venture capital and acquisition interest. As a venture partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners, Bier has advised startups on growth, community building, and monetization. He is also an advisor to the Solana Foundation, reflecting his interest in blockchain ecosystems and decentralized tech.