Hank Green Converts Education Company Complexly to Nonprofit

Hank Green, a longtime friend of Decoder and the co-founder of Complexly, an online education company he started with his brother John in 2012, has just converted Complexly into a nonprofit and given up their ownership of the company.

This move is significant, as it speaks to how Hank and John want to structure their company and make decisions about changing that structure. As Hank explains, the story of Complexly is also about media and how any of us can look at the internet and video landscape of 2026 and try to do something meaningful and ethical with it — while still growing an audience and making enough money to survive.

Hank and John's decision to convert Complexly into a nonprofit is a testament to their commitment to the company's mission of providing meaningful, educational content to their audience. By giving up their ownership, they are ensuring that the focus remains on the ethical and impactful nature of their work, rather than on maximizing profits.

In this exclusive interview, Hank delves into the reasons behind this transition, the challenges they faced, and their vision for Complexly as a nonprofit organization. He discusses the importance of maintaining a sustainable business model while staying true to their values and creating content that truly makes a difference.

The decision to convert Complexly into a nonprofit is a bold move that sets it apart from many other online education platforms. By prioritizing mission over profits, Hank and John are demonstrating a unique approach that could inspire others in the industry to follow suit and put the needs of their audience and the greater good before their own financial interests.

As Complexly embarks on this new chapter, it will be fascinating to see how the nonprofit model shapes the company's future and its ability to continue delivering high-quality, impactful educational content to its growing audience. This move by Hank and John is a bold and admirable step that could have far-reaching implications for the online education landscape.