Peter Thiel

Peter Thiel is an influential American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and political activist, best known for co-founding several high-profile technology companies and venture capital firms.

Early Life and Education

Born on October 11, 1967, Thiel graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and later earned a Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School. His early career included roles as a securities lawyer and a derivatives trader.

Major Contributions

Thiel co-founded PayPal in 1998, where he served as CEO until its acquisition by eBay in 2002 for $1.5 billion. He was also the first outside investor in Facebook, acquiring a 10.2% stake for $500,000 in 2004, which he later sold for over $1 billion.

In 2003, he founded Palantir Technologies, a big data analytics firm, where he continues to serve as chairman. Thiel is also a co-founder of Founders Fund, a venture capital firm established in 2005 that has invested in numerous successful startups, including SpaceX, Airbnb, and LinkedIn.

Philanthropy and Writing

Thiel established the Thiel Fellowship, which provides funding to young entrepreneurs, and leads the Thiel Foundation, which supports technological advancement and long-term thinking. He is also the author of Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future, a bestselling book on entrepreneurship.

Political Involvement

Thiel is known for his conservative libertarian views and has been involved in various political causes, including significant donations to right-wing figures and initiatives. His controversial acquisition of New Zealand citizenship in 2011, despite minimal residency, has drawn media attention.

As of 2024, Thiel's estimated net worth is around $11.2 billion, and he continues to influence the tech and investment landscape through his roles in various companies and funds.1234