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Michael Moritz

Person

A legendary investor and former leader at Sequoia Capital, admired by Roelof Botha for his profound 'imagination' and ability to envision a company's long-term potential.


First Mentioned

10/10/2025, 3:08:04 AM

Last Updated

10/10/2025, 3:10:26 AM

Research Retrieved

10/10/2025, 3:10:26 AM

Summary

Sir Michael Jonathan Moritz is a highly influential Welsh billionaire venture capitalist, philanthropist, author, and former journalist, renowned for his significant contributions to Silicon Valley. Born on September 12, 1954, he is most notably associated with Sequoia Capital, where he served as a partner for 38 years and was recognized for exemplifying the power of imagination in investing, a trait that influenced current leader Roelof Botha. Moritz authored "The Little Kingdom," the first history of Apple Inc., and "Going for Broke: Lee Iacocca's Battle to Save Chrysler." His diverse career includes roles as a staff writer and bureau chief at Time magazine, co-founder of Technologic Partners, and a board member at Google. He was named the top venture capitalist on the Forbes Midas List in both 2006 and 2007. In 2023, he transitioned from Sequoia Capital to focus on his role as Chairman at Crankstart and Senior Advisor at Sequoia Heritage, continuing his legacy of strategic vision and impact in the tech industry.

Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • Born

    1954-09-12

  • Awards

    Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE)

  • Education

    University of Oxford (Bachelor of Arts in History, Christ Church), Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania (MBA, Thouron Scholar)

  • Full Name

    Sir Michael Jonathan Moritz

  • Nationality

    Welsh, British

  • Occupations

    Venture capitalist, Philanthropist, Author, Former journalist, Businessperson

  • Place of Birth

    Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom

  • Time '100' List

    2007

  • Current Role (2023)

    Chairman at Crankstart, Senior Advisor at Sequoia Heritage

  • Key Investing Trait

    Imagination

  • Forbes Midas List Ranking

    No. 1 (2006, 2007)

Timeline
  • Born in Cardiff, Wales. (Source: summary, wikipedia, wikidata)

    1954-09-12

  • Immigrated to the U.S. (Source: web_search_results)

    1976

  • Co-founded Technologic Partners and became a venture capitalist. (Source: summary, wikipedia)

    1980s

  • Paul Graham (YC) commented on Michael Moritz, describing him as a 'good guy' with a 'sense of humor'. (Source: web_search_results)

    2005

  • Named as the No. 1 venture capitalist on the Forbes Midas List. (Source: summary, wikipedia, web_search_results)

    2006

  • Dick Kramlich (Arthur Rock & Co., NEA) praised Moritz as 'pretty exceptional' with a 'great way of thinking'. (Source: web_search_results)

    2006

  • Named as the No. 1 venture capitalist on the Forbes Midas List for the second consecutive year. (Source: summary, wikipedia, web_search_results)

    2007

  • Earned a place on the Time '100' list of most influential people. (Source: web_search_results)

    2007

  • Keith Rabois (Founders Fund, Khosla Ventures) called him 'the best VC of all time'. (Source: web_search_results)

    2010

  • Elad Gil (Investor) referred to him as 'the Michael Jordan of investing'. (Source: web_search_results)

    2010

  • Bill Gurley (Benchmark) compared him to Babe Ruth in terms of exceptional performance. (Source: web_search_results)

    2016

  • Doug Leone (Sequoia) described Moritz as 'a Brit, strategic, man of few words, thinks 14 steps ahead'. (Source: web_search_results)

    2020

  • Stepped down from Sequoia Capital after 38 years to focus on Sequoia Heritage. (Source: web_search_results)

    2023-07-19

Michael Moritz

Sir Michael Jonathan Moritz (born 12 September 1954) is a Welsh billionaire venture capitalist, philanthropist, author, and former journalist. Moritz works for Sequoia Capital, wrote the first history of Apple Inc., The Little Kingdom, and authored Going for Broke: Lee Iacocca's Battle to Save Chrysler. Previously, Moritz was a staff writer at Time magazine and a member of the board of directors of Google. He studied at the University of Oxford and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and went on to found Technologic Partners before becoming a venture capitalist in the 1980s. Moritz was named as the No. 1 venture capitalist on the Forbes Midas List in 2006 and 2007.

Web Search Results
  • Michael Moritz - The Network

    Michael Moritz is the Chairman at Crankstart in Menlo Park, California, with a background as a Senior Advisor and Partner at Sequoia Capital. He has made significant investments in notable companies like Stripe and LinkedIn, showcasing his expertise in e-commerce, venture capital, and strategic partnerships. With a Master's degree from the University of Oxford, Moritz has a successful track record of investing in companies at various stages and sectors, including AI, consumer internet, and [...] MM # Michael Moritz ## Senior Advisor, Sequoia Heritage at Sequoia Heritage ### Menlo Park, California ### Overview [...] enterprise. His leadership roles at Sequoia Capital and current position at Crankstart highlight his strategic vision and impact in the tech industry.

  • Letter #134: Michael Moritz and Robert Lacher (2023)

    Michael Moritz is a Partner at Sequoia Capital and Senior Advisor of Sequoia Heritage. His investments include: Alphabet (Google), Instacart, Kayak, Klarna, LinkedIn, LinkExchange, PayPal, Stripe, Yahoo, and Zappos. He started his career as a journalist, and has written five books, four of which have been published [insert Bernie Sanders meme where I once again ask if anyone can get me a copy of DTV]. In 2023, he stepped down from Sequoia Capital to focus on Sequoia Heritage. [...] Paul Graham (YC): I’ve met a few VCs I like. Mike Moritz seems a good guy. He even has a sense of humor, which is almost unheard of among VCs. (2005) Dick Kramlich (Arthur Rock & Co., NEA): Mike Moritz is about as good as anybody, and that’s not just because he’s around today. I really think he’s pretty exceptional. He has a way of thinking that’s just great. It’s very unusual. Always at the corner. He was with Time Magazine when I met him. He’s a smart man. (2006) [...] Keith Rabois (Founders Fund, Khosla Ventures): He is the best VC of all time. (2010) Elad Gil (Investor): He is like the Michael Jordan of investing. (2010) Bill Gurley (Benchmark): Saying “other than Moritz” is like saying who hit home runs excluding Babe Ruth? (2016) Doug Leone (Sequoia): Mike Moritz is a Brit, strategic, man of few words, thinks 14 steps ahead. (2020)

  • Sequoia's Michael Moritz: Look out for “the Unexpected”

    As one of Silicon Valley’s top venture capitalists, Sequoia Capital’s Sir Michael Moritz has helped launch some of the globe’s most significant tech companies of the past 30 years. He’s done it by continually educating himself, despite no formal technical training. “I wish I understood more about the details of technology and engineering and all the rest of it,” he says. “But you can’t be an expert in everything.” [...] Named the no. 1 venture capitalist on Forbes’ “Midas List” in 2006 and 2007, Moritzopen in new window also earned a place on the 2007 Time “100” list of most influential people. Educated at Oxford, the Welsh native immigrated to the U.S. in 1976, earned an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, and went on to work as bureau chief for Time magazine in San Francisco, where he covered technology in Silicon Valley. He’s the author of books, including The Little Kingdom, an [...] Today’s hot industries may be data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, but Moritz watches for investment opportunities where the ideas “don’t fit in a convenient bucket,” such as Airbnb and Chinese drone company DJI. Quote I wish I understood more about the details of technology and engineering and all the rest of it. But you can’t be an expert in everything. Author Name — Michael Moritz

  • Sequoia Capital partner Michael Moritz to exit firm after 38 years

    Sequoia Capital partner Michael Moritz to exit firm after 38 years | Reuters Skip to main content Exclusive news, data and analytics for financial market professionals Learn more about Refinitiv - Michael Moritz, the storied venture capitalist who sits on the boards of Stripe and Instacart, is leaving Sequoia Capital after 38 years, according to a letter sent to limited partners on Wednesday and viewed by Reuters. [...] Moritz, one of the most well-know investors in tech, was an early backer and long-running board member at tech companies including Google (GOOGL.O), opens new tab and PayPal(PYPL.O), opens new tab, and once led Sequoia to become one of the most high-profile venture capital firms. It now has more than $53 billion in assets under management in the United States and Europe.

  • The Extraordinary Journey of Sir Michael Moritz

    As we look to the future of technology and innovation, one thing is clear: the influence of the Moritz waves will continue to shape the landscape for generations to come. In a world often fixated on short-term gains, Michael Moritz is a guiding force for those who dare to dream big and who have the perseverance to turn those dreams into reality. His legacy serves as an inspiration not just for investors, but for anyone who believes in the power of innovation to change the world. Like Like [...] Born on September 12, 1954, to parents who fled Nazi Germany, Moritz's early life was shaped by resilience and intellectual curiosity. His pursuit of knowledge led him from Howardian High School in Cardiff to the prestigious Oxford University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History. His academic journey continued at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, where he obtained an MBA as a Thouron Scholar. [...] In the world of venture capital, few names shine as brightly as Michael Moritz . From his humble beginnings in Cardiff, Wales, to becoming one of the most influential figures in Silicon Valley, Moritz's journey is a testament to the power of vision, adaptability, and an unwavering commitment to innovation. ### From Pen to Profit: The Early Years

Sir Michael Jonathan Moritz KBE (born 12 September 1954) is a Welsh billionaire venture capitalist, philanthropist, author, and former journalist. Moritz works for Sequoia Capital, wrote the first history of Apple Inc., The Little Kingdom, and authored Going for Broke: Lee Iacocca's Battle to Save Chrysler. Previously, Moritz was a staff writer at Time magazine and a member of the board of directors of Google. He studied at the University of Oxford and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and went on to found Technologic Partners before becoming a venture capitalist in the 1980s. Moritz was named as the No. 1 venture capitalist on the Forbes Midas List in 2006 and 2007.

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Location Data

Michael Kors, Via Serlas, Sur Chaunt, Sankt Moritz Bad, Sankt Moritz, Maloja, Graubünden/Grischun/Grigioni, 7500, Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera/Svizra

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Coordinates: 46.4977251, 9.8407348

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