Marc Andreessen, cofounder of Netscape and venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, is one of Silicon Valley’s most influential architects, shaping both the early internet and the modern startup ecosystem. After creating Mosaic, the first widely adopted web browser, and helping launch Netscape, Andreessen turned to investing, backing industry-defining companies across software, crypto, AI, and consumer technology. Through Andreessen Horowitz, he helped institutionalize venture capital as a full-service platform, supporting founders with capital, talent, and strategic insight. Known for his bold technological manifestos and conviction in software’s transformative power, Andreessen remains a central voice in global innovation.

Kavitark Ram Shriram, early Google investor and founding board member, is one of Silicon Valley’s most influential angel investors, helping shape the modern internet economy through strategic backing and mentorship. A veteran of Netscape and Amazon, Shriram was among the earliest believers in Larry Page and Sergey Brin, providing seed capital and guidance that helped Google scale into a global technology giant. Through his family office, Sherpalo Ventures, he has backed dozens of startups across search, AI, ecommerce, and consumer technology, often bringing hands-on operational insight and long-term partnership. Known for his quiet style and deep conviction, Shriram remains a key figure behind some of the most important companies in tech.

Josh Kushner, founder and managing partner of Thrive Capital, is one of the most influential venture investors of his generation, backing category-defining companies across fintech, healthcare, and consumer technology. Since launching Thrive in 2009, he has led early or transformative investments in firms such as Instagram, Stripe, Spotify, GitHub, and OpenAI, building Thrive into a multi-billion-dollar venture platform known for disciplined underwriting and long-horizon conviction. Kushner is also the cofounder of Oscar Health, a technology-driven insurer reshaping the U.S. healthcare landscape. With a rare combination of entrepreneurial experience, investment acumen, and strategic clarity, he has become a central force in shaping the next era of digital innovation.

John Doerr, chairman of Kleiner Perkins, is one of the most influential venture capitalists in Silicon Valley, backing industry-defining companies that helped shape the modern internet and clean-tech revolutions. Since joining the firm in 1980 after a successful career at Intel, he led investments in Amazon, Google, Netscape, Sun Microsystems, and later climate-focused innovators such as Beyond Meat and QuantumScape. Doerr is also a leading voice for mission-driven entrepreneurship, championing OKR management frameworks and ambitious climate policy through philanthropy and his book Speed & Scale. His decades-long impact continues to steer technology, leadership, and climate innovation on a global scale.

Yuri Milner, tech investor and science philanthropist, is one of the most influential figures in global venture capital through his firm DST Global, which backed companies such as Facebook, Airbnb, Spotify, Alibaba, and ByteDance long before they became industry giants. A former physicist, Milner is known for his data-driven approach to identifying transformative internet businesses and for shaping a new model of late-stage tech investing. Beyond finance, he cofounded the Breakthrough Prizes—often called the “Oscars of Science”—and launched initiatives supporting fundamental research, SETI, and human curiosity, establishing himself as one of the world’s leading patrons of science and discovery.

James Breyer, founder and CEO of Breyer Capital, is one of the most successful venture capitalists of his generation, known for early investments in transformative technology companies. As a former partner at Accel Partners, he led the firm’s landmark investment in Facebook, which became one of the most profitable bets in venture history. Through Breyer Capital, he continues to back leading innovators in artificial intelligence, media, and healthcare. With deep ties to both Silicon Valley and China, Breyer has built a global reputation as a visionary investor bridging technology, policy, and capital.

Howard Schultz, former longtime CEO and chairman emeritus of Starbucks, transformed a small Seattle coffee chain into a global brand with more than 35,000 stores worldwide. Inspired by Italy’s espresso culture, he built Starbucks into a company that blended premium coffee with community-driven “third place” experiences. Schultz became known not only for scaling the brand into a multibillion-dollar enterprise but also for his focus on employee benefits, ethical sourcing, and social responsibility. A visionary entrepreneur and occasional political voice, he remains one of the most influential figures in modern retail and consumer culture.

Henry Swieca, billionaire investor and hedge fund manager, cofounded Highbridge Capital Management in 1992, transforming it into one of the world’s leading alternative investment firms before selling a majority stake to JPMorgan Chase in 2004. After exiting Highbridge, he launched Talpion Fund Management, his family office, focusing on a broad range of investments across public and private markets. A child of Holocaust survivors, Swieca has coupled financial success with extensive philanthropy in education, Jewish causes, and healthcare, underscoring his reputation as both a disciplined investor and committed benefactor.

Hartley Rogers, chairman of Hamilton Lane, has guided the investment management firm into a global leader in private markets solutions. With decades of experience in private equity and alternative investments, he helped scale Hamilton Lane’s platform to manage and advise on hundreds of billions in assets for institutional clients worldwide. Known for his strategic leadership and deep industry expertise, Rogers has positioned the firm at the forefront of private markets investing, while also serving on boards and engaging in philanthropic initiatives.

Gary Lauder, venture capitalist and heir to the Estée Lauder cosmetics fortune, manages Lauder Partners LLC, investing in emerging technologies, communications, and media ventures. Known for his strategic, long-term approach, he has backed numerous early-stage companies while maintaining active involvement in philanthropic initiatives. As a member of the influential Lauder family, he combines the legacy of one of America’s most iconic beauty empires with a forward-looking vision for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Fred Ehrsam, cofounder of cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, played a pivotal role in bringing digital assets into the financial mainstream. A former Goldman Sachs trader, he launched Coinbase in 2012 with Brian Armstrong, helping it grow into one of the world’s largest crypto platforms. After stepping back from day-to-day operations in 2017, Ehrsam cofounded Paradigm, a leading crypto-focused investment firm backing blockchain startups and decentralized finance projects. Known for his early conviction in Bitcoin and blockchain technology, he remains a prominent voice shaping the future of digital finance.

Fatih Ozmen is a Turkish‑American aerospace engineer and entrepreneur who co‑owns and leads Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC). He began as an intern in 1981 and in 1994, alongside his wife, Eren Özmen, acquired SNC—which then had only 20 employees. Together they expanded it to a global defense and space-technology firm with over 3,000 staff across multiple countries and major programs including the Dream Chaser spacecraft and key NASA and DoD contracts.

Evan Clark “Ev” Williams is an American pioneer of the social internet. He co-founded Pyra Labs, created Blogger, served as CEO of Twitter (2008–2010), and launched Medium, a leading long-form publishing platform. A graduate by drop‑out who popularized blogging and micro‑blogging, he now leads the impact investment firm Obvious Ventures.

Eric Lefkofsky is a tech entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist. He co‑founded Groupon, InnerWorkings, Echo Global Logistics, and Mediaocean, and now serves as CEO of Tempus AI, advancing precision medicine using AI. He also co-leads Lightbank, a venture fund backing disruptive startups, and chairs the Lefkofsky Family Foundation.

Douglas Leone is a billionaire venture capitalist and former Global Managing Partner at Sequoia Capital. Recruited in 1988, he rose to partner in 1993 and later led Sequoia’s international expansion across China, India, and Southeast Asia. Under his stewardship, Sequoia backed major tech wins including ServiceNow, RingCentral, Medallia, Nubank, and YouTube.

David Katzman is the American entrepreneur and venture capitalist behind Camelot Venture Group, and serves as CEO and Chairman of SmileDirectClub. He built Camelot by backing consumer-led disruptors—from Quicken Loans and RealAge to 1‑800‑Contacts and Fathead—and oversaw the Cavaliers business through his vice chair role. Katzman holds a ~10 % stake in SmileDirectClub and maintains a legacy of retail, tech, and sports investing.

Daniel Sundheim is the American billionaire founder and Chief Investment Officer of D1 Capital Partners, a high-conviction global investment firm launched in 2018. A former CIO at Viking Global with 15 years of experience, he built D1 into a multi‑billion‑dollar firm investing across public and private markets—including leading positions in Instacart and SpaceX. He also serves on boards of MoMA, NYU Langone, and Columbia Grammar.

Daniel Och is the American billionaire founder of Och‑Ziff Capital Management (rebranded as Sculptor Capital in 2019). A Wharton alumnus and former Goldman Sachs equities trader, he built Och‑Ziff into a major hedge fund managing tens of billions before stepping down in 2019. He now runs Willoughby Capital, a family office investing in tech startups like Robinhood, Coinbase, and Instacart, while leading major philanthropic initiatives. 

Chris Sacca is an American investor, entrepreneur, and former Google executive who founded Lowercase Capital, backing early-stage winners like Twitter, Uber, Instagram, Twilio, Stripe, and Kickstarter. After retiring from tech investing in 2017, he returned in 2021 through Lowercarbon Capital, channeling capital into startups focused on climate solutions and energy innovation.

Christian W. E. Haub is the German‑American CEO and majority stakeholder of Tengelmann Group, the global retail conglomerate founded by his family in 1867. Since 2018, he has consolidated leadership—acquiring a controlling share after his brother Karl‑Erivan’s disappearance—and now oversees operations in discount grocery, e-commerce, and retail across Europe and North America. He also leads Emil Capital Partners, holds board roles in Metro Inc. and Boston College, and is known for his strategic vision and reputable family legacy.