Early Life and Education
Scott Louis Shleifer was born in Portland, Oregon, in 1977. His father ran a family business, Shleifer Furniture. Scott graduated from Beaverton High School in 1995. He then went on to study at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, earning a bachelor's degree in 1999.
Rise to Success
After graduating, Shleifer worked as an analyst at Blackstone for three years. In 2003, he co-founded Tiger Global Management's private equity investing business, where he has been a key driver of the company's venture capital expansions. Shleifer played a crucial role in expanding Tiger Global's investments in China. He made successful investments in Chinese tech companies like JD.com, Didi Chuxing, and Meituan. In 2019, he was recognized by Wharton magazine as one of its "40 under 40." In late 2023, Shleifer stepped down as the head of private investments at Tiger Global and transitioned to a senior advisor role at the start of 2024.
Key Business Strategies
Shleifer's investment strategy focuses on identifying promising startups, particularly in the tech sector, and supporting their growth. His focus on the Chinese market and his ability to identify high-growth opportunities have been pivotal to Tiger Global's success.
Philanthropy
Scott and Elena Shleifer have demonstrated their philanthropic spirit by donating significant sums to the University of Pennsylvania, including an $18 million gift to support the Penn First Plus program. They also donated $1.8 million to Beaverton High School. They have also invested in multiple undergraduate scholarships.