Early Life
Ole Andreas Halvorsen was born in Borge, Norway, in 1961. He graduated from the Norwegian Naval Academy and served as a leader of a Norwegian SEAL team. Halvorsen's early life in Norway and his military service instilled in him discipline and a focus on excellence, qualities that would serve him well in his future career. He later pursued higher education in the United States, attending Williams College and earning a degree in economics in 1986.
Rise to Success
After graduating from Williams College, Halvorsen worked in the investment banking division of Morgan Stanley. His career took a significant turn when he joined Tiger Management Corp, under the mentorship of Julian Robertson. At Tiger Management, Halvorsen held various senior positions, including Senior Managing Director, analyst, and director of equities. In 1999, he co-founded Viking Global Investors with David Ott and Brian Olson, both former colleagues from Tiger Management. Viking Global Investors quickly gained prominence in the hedge fund industry, managing over $30 billion in assets. Halvorsen's success is attributed to his disciplined, research-intensive investment approach and long-term focus.
Key Business Strategies
Halvorsen's investment philosophy emphasizes fundamental research and a long-term outlook. Viking Global Investors employs a long/short equity strategy, allowing it to profit from both rising and falling markets. Halvorsen believes in the power of thorough analysis and disciplined valuation. Adaptability is crucial, and Halvorsen evolves his strategies to stay ahead of trends, combining quantitative and qualitative insights. Diversification is also a core tenet. Viking Global often takes significant positions in companies where their research points to a strong opportunity.
Philanthropy
Halvorsen is involved in philanthropy, especially in education. He serves on the boards of Williams College and Stanford University. This involvement reflects his commitment to shaping future generations of leaders.