Mike Maples

Mike Maples, Jr. is a prominent venture capitalist and the co-founding partner of Floodgate, a venture capital firm he established in 2006. He has made significant contributions to the startup ecosystem, being recognized on the Forbes Midas List eight times for his investments in transformative companies such as Twitter, Twitch, Lyft, and Okta.126

Background and Career

Before venturing into the world of investing, Maples was an entrepreneur himself. He co-founded Motive Communications, which went public in 2004 and was later acquired by Alcatel-Lucent. He also played a key role at Tivoli Systems, which was acquired by IBM.135 His background in technology and startups has informed his investment philosophy, which focuses on identifying and nurturing "Thunder Lizards," a term he coined to describe exceptionally disruptive companies.15

Investment Philosophy

Maples is known for his unique approach to venture capital, which emphasizes early-stage investments in companies that have the potential for exponential growth. He believes in the importance of identifying startups that are not just following trends but are instead creating new paradigms in their respective industries. His book, Pattern Breakers, explores the characteristics that differentiate successful startups from those that fail, drawing from his extensive experience as an investor and entrepreneur.246

Education and Interests

Maples holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Stanford University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. His interests include calligraphy, cinematography, and automotive pursuits, reflecting a diverse range of passions beyond his professional endeavors.13

Through his work at Floodgate, Maples continues to influence the landscape of technology startups, aiming to help founders achieve extraordinary outcomes by leveraging his insights and experience in the venture capital field.