Early Life and Education
Michael Jonathan Moritz was born in Cardiff, Wales, on September 12, 1954, to a Jewish family. His father was a professor at Cardiff University, and his mother also fled Nazi Germany. Moritz attended Howardian High School in Cardiff and later earned a bachelor's degree in history from Christ Church, Oxford. In 1978, he received an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Rise to Success
Moritz began his career as a journalist, working for Time magazine in the early 1980s. While there, he was contracted by Steve Jobs to document the development of the Macintosh computer. In 1986, he joined Sequoia Capital, where he became a prominent partner. His investments in Google, PayPal, and other tech companies led to significant financial success. Moritz was ranked the number one venture capitalist on Forbes' Midas List in 2006 and 2007, solidifying his reputation as a top dealmaker.
Key Business Strategies
Moritz is known for his keen eye for identifying promising tech companies and his willingness to invest early. His strategy involved identifying and investing in innovative companies with the potential for high growth. His early investments in Google, LinkedIn, and PayPal were key to his success. He stepped down from his leadership role at Sequoia Capital in 2023, but remains on the boards of several companies.
Philanthropy
Moritz is a committed philanthropist. He and his wife, Harriet Heyman, signed The Giving Pledge, promising to donate at least half of their wealth to charitable causes. They have made substantial donations to educational institutions, including Christ Church, Oxford, and the University of Oxford. Their philanthropic efforts also include supporting various social causes.