25 facts about Jennifer Hyman that reveal the powerhouse behind Rent the Runway

Jennifer Hyman is not just a CEO—she’s a trailblazing visionary who reshaped the fashion industry by blending tech with style. Best known as the co-founder and CEO of Rent the Runway, her story is one of resilience, innovation, and entrepreneurial brilliance. From her Harvard Business School days to the boardrooms of top companies, Hyman has consistently broken barriers, challenged the status quo, and redefined what it means to be a female leader in Silicon Valley.

Her journey speaks volumes about ambition in action. Raised in New Rochelle, New York, Hyman comes from a family that deeply valued education and strong work ethics. With both intellect and instinct on her side, she began carving out a path for herself in the corporate world long before Rent the Runway was born. What’s striking about her story is not just how she succeeded, but how she did so by solving a real-world problem: fashion accessibility for everyday women.

Rent the Runway isn’t just a business—it’s a movement. Hyman envisioned a world where women could wear designer fashion without the burden of ownership. By introducing clothing rental into mainstream culture, she pioneered a subscription-based fashion model that disrupted an entire industry. It’s no wonder her startup eventually became a unicorn and was even listed on NASDAQ.

In addition to her entrepreneurial milestones, Hyman is a fierce advocate for gender equality in the workplace. She’s spoken at numerous conferences, from TED Talks to Fortune’s Most Powerful Women Summit, where she champions diversity, inclusion, and equal pay. As a public figure and businesswoman, Hyman combines fashion sense with business acumen, making her a unique role model for aspiring entrepreneurs.

From Harvard to the Haute World of Fashion Tech

1. Harvard MBA Sparked the Idea
   Jennifer Hyman conceived the idea of Rent the Runway during her time at Harvard Business School after her sister complained about buying an expensive dress she only wore once.

2. Teamed Up with Jennifer Fleiss
   Hyman co-founded Rent the Runway with her classmate Jennifer Fleiss, forming one of the most iconic partnerships in the fashion-tech world.

3. Bachelor’s Degree from Harvard
   Before her MBA, Hyman earned her undergraduate degree in social studies from Harvard University, showcasing her academic excellence early on.

4. Corporate Background at IMG and Starwood
   She gained valuable corporate experience working at companies like IMG and Starwood Hotels, where she learned about brand building and customer experiences.

5. Interned at WeddingChannel.com
   Hyman had tech exposure early on when she worked at WeddingChannel.com, which laid the foundation for her understanding of e-commerce.

6. Developed the Pitch at Harvard’s Innovation Lab
   She and Fleiss developed Rent the Runway’s initial pitch while participating in Harvard’s i-Lab, a hotbed for innovative business ideas.

7. Backed by Harvard Professors
   Several Harvard Business School professors, including Clayton Christensen, encouraged the idea and helped refine the startup’s business model.

8. Presented the Idea in Class
   Hyman boldly pitched the concept in front of her HBS class, which garnered mixed reactions—some thought it was crazy, others visionary.

9. Grew the Network through HBS
   Her Harvard connections proved vital in building a strong network of advisors and investors who believed in her vision.

10. Continues to Give Back to Harvard
    Even today, Hyman frequently returns to Harvard to guest lecture, inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs with her candid insights.

Disrupting Fashion: The Vision Behind Rent the Runway 

1. Founded in 2009
   Jennifer Hyman co-founded Rent the Runway in 2009 with a vision to democratize luxury fashion, allowing women to rent high-end clothing without buying it.

2. First Prototype at Harvard
   The initial idea was tested at Harvard Business School where classmates rented designer clothes as part of a beta test, which proved to be a hit.

3. Launched with 50 Designers
   Rent the Runway started with partnerships from about 50 fashion designers, including big names like Diane von Fürstenberg, betting on a new rental model.

4. Fashion Meets Tech
   Hyman used technology to disrupt the fashion industry by creating a seamless user experience with real-time inventory, mobile-first UX, and machine learning algorithms.

5. Subscription-Based Success
   The company transitioned to a subscription-based model, introducing unlimited monthly rentals, increasing revenue and building a loyal customer base.

6. Fashion for All Sizes
   Under Hyman’s leadership, Rent the Runway expanded to include plus-size fashion, maternity wear, and workwear—prioritizing inclusivity in luxury.

7. Raised Over $300 Million
   The company attracted top-tier investors including Bain Capital Ventures and T. Rowe Price, helping Rent the Runway scale massively across the U.S.

8. Sustainable Fashion Champion
   Hyman emphasizes sustainability by encouraging clothing reuse, reducing fast fashion dependency, and extending the lifecycle of designer garments.

9. IPO in 2021
   Rent the Runway went public in October 2021, trading on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol “RENT,” marking a major milestone in fashion tech history.

10. Pandemic Pivot
    During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hyman led a strategic pivot, cutting costs, scaling back physical operations, and doubling down on digital services and subscriptions.

Leadership, Legacy & Lessons for Young Entrepreneurs 

1. Outspoken Advocate for Women
   Jennifer Hyman is a vocal advocate for gender equality, pushing for maternity leave policies, equal pay, and diverse leadership teams in every industry.

2. Culture-First CEO
   She fosters a transparent, feedback-driven workplace culture. Hyman’s leadership philosophy emphasizes empathy, empowerment, and mental well-being in corporate environments.

3. First Pregnant CEO to IPO
   Hyman made history as one of the few female tech CEOs to take her company public while pregnant—challenging outdated stereotypes around motherhood and leadership.

4. Mentorship & Public Speaking
   She regularly mentors young entrepreneurs and has been featured in TED Talks, SXSW, and Fortune’s Most Powerful Women events, offering honest advice about building businesses.

5. Board Member at The Estée Lauder Companies
   Hyman serves on the board of The Estée Lauder Companies, extending her influence beyond fashion tech into global beauty and luxury industries.

Conclusion

Jennifer Hyman is a symbol of the modern entrepreneur—fearless, innovative, and compassionate. Her story is not just about creating a billion-dollar fashion tech empire; it’s about rewriting the rules of business, style, and leadership. Through Rent the Runway, she proved that fashion can be accessible, sustainable, and scalable.

More than that, she has redefined what it means to be a female CEO in a male-dominated tech world. Hyman’s journey teaches us that solving real-life problems with empathy and innovation can lead to revolutionary change. She embraced risks, challenged conventional norms, and built a company that mirrors her values—diversity, inclusion, and empowerment.

Her legacy is one that young entrepreneurs, especially women, can draw strength from. Whether it’s her Harvard roots, her IPO achievement while pregnant, or her passionate fight for workplace equality, every chapter of Jennifer Hyman’s life is filled with grit and grace.