Early Life
Eduardo Luiz Saverin was born on March 19, 1982, in São Paulo, Brazil, to a wealthy Jewish-Brazilian family. His family later moved to Rio de Janeiro. In 1993, they immigrated to the United States and settled in Miami, Florida, due to safety concerns. Saverin attended Gulliver Preparatory School in Miami and later enrolled at Harvard University. At Harvard, he became a member of the Phoenix S.K. Club and president of the Harvard Investment Association. During his time at Harvard, he used his interest in meteorology to predict hurricane patterns and made $300,000 via investment in oil futures.
Rise to Success
In 2004, during his junior year at Harvard, Saverin co-founded Facebook with Mark Zuckerberg, Dustin Moskovitz, Andrew McCollum, and Chris Hughes. Saverin served as the chief financial officer and business manager. He provided the initial investment of $15,000, which helped cover the company's early expenses. However, disputes over the direction of the company led to a legal battle, and Saverin's stake was diluted. Despite the reduced ownership, the success of Facebook has made Saverin a billionaire.
Key Business Strategies
After Facebook, Saverin focused on venture capital. In 2015, he co-founded B Capital Group, a venture capital firm focused on investing in technology companies. The firm has offices in Singapore, New York, and Los Angeles, reflecting Saverin's global approach. He has been involved in funding and nurturing startups, with a focus on Southeast Asia and emerging markets.
Philanthropy
In 2022, Eduardo and his wife, Elaine, co-founded the Elaine and Eduardo Saverin Foundation, a Singapore-based charitable organization. The foundation focuses on education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability. Saverin and his wife view philanthropy as a responsibility.