Chamath Palihapitiya (born September 3, 1976) is a Sri Lankan-born Canadian-American venture capitalist, engineer, and SPAC sponsor, serving as the founder and CEO of Social Capital.
He was an early senior executive at Facebook from 2007 to 2011. After leaving Facebook, Palihapitiya launched The Social+Capital Partnership, investing in companies like Yammer and Slack. He co-hosts the technology podcast All-In with David Sacks, Jason Calacanis, and David Friedberg.
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Chamath Palihapitiya Net Worth
Chamath Palihapitiya has a net worth of $1 billion and has made significant investments through Embarcadero Ventures. In 2010, he played a key role in purchasing the Golden State Warriors for $450 million, maintaining a minority stake.
He is also a notable philanthropist, donating $25 million to the University of Waterloo’s engineering department and $7 million to improve access to clean drinking water for families in California’s Central Valley.
Early Life
Chamath Palihapitiya was born in Sri Lanka, and his family moved to Canada when he was five due to his father’s political views during the Sri Lankan Civil War. Facing financial difficulties, Palihapitiya worked at Burger King at 14 to support his family.
After graduating from the University of Waterloo in 1999 with an electrical engineering degree, he worked as a derivatives trader at BMO Nesbitt Burns before moving to California to join Winamp. His father passed away in October 2014.
Career
After graduating from the University of Waterloo, Chamath Palihapitiya worked at BMO Nesbitt Burns as a derivatives trader and then joined AOL as its youngest vice president, leading its instant messaging division.
He left AOL in 2005 to join Mayfield Fund and soon moved to Facebook, where he led user growth and helped the platform reach one billion users by 2009. Despite his success, he was criticized as a bully by some subordinates.
In 2011, Palihapitiya founded Social+Capital Partnership, now Social Capital, investing in tech startups like Slack and Box. The firm faced challenges and transitioned to a family office in 2018, focusing on life sciences, biotechnology, and blockchain technology.
Personal life
After graduating, Chamath Palihapitiya moved to California with his future wife, Brigette Lau. They had three children before divorcing in 2018. Palihapitiya now lives in California with his second wife, Nathalie Dompé, an Italian pharmaceutical heiress and model.
They married at Castello Brown in Italy in July 2023 and have two children together. He keeps his children away from social media, preferring less reliance on devices. Palihapitiya has earned $175,801 in poker tournaments, including a 101st place finish at the 2011 WSOP Main Event. He bought a $75 million Bombardier Global 7500 in 2020.
Who is the Indian billionaire venture capitalist?
Vinod Khosla, born January 28, 1955, is an Indian-American billionaire businessman and venture capitalist.
Conclusion
Chamath Palihapitiya’s journey from working at Burger King to being a billionaire venture capitalist is a testament to his dedication, grit, and smart investment strategies. His influence in the tech world, combined with his strategic investments, solidifies his standing as a prominent figure in the venture capital space.
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FAQs about Chamath Palihapitiya Net Worth
- How did Chamath Palihapitiya begin his career?
He started at Winamp and later moved to AOL, eventually joining Facebook in 2007. - What’s the significance of Social Capital?
It’s Chamath’s venture capital firm, which has invested in numerous tech companies. - How much is Chamath worth?
As of now, his net worth is estimated to be over $4 billion. - Did he invest in Bitcoin?
Yes, Chamath holds a significant amount of Bitcoin, valued at around $5 million. - Which companies did Social Capital invest in?
Some of the significant investments include Slack, Yammer, and Box.
