Peter Thiel

Peter Andreas Thiel (/tiːl/; born October 11, 1967) is an American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and political activist. He co-founded PayPal, Palantir Technologies, and Founders Fund, and was the first outside investor in Facebook. As of June 2023, Thiel's estimated net worth was $9.7 billion, ranking him 213th on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Thiel's career has included roles as a securities lawyer at Sullivan & Cromwell, a speechwriter for former U.S. Secretary of Education William Bennett, and a derivatives trader at Credit Suisse. In 1996, he founded Thiel Capital Management, and in 1998, he co-founded PayPal with Max Levchin and Luke Nosek, serving as its CEO until its 2002 sale to eBay for $1.5 billion.

After PayPal, Thiel established Clarium Capital, a global macro hedge fund, in San Francisco. In 2003, he founded Palantir Technologies, a big data analysis company, where he has served as chairman since its inception. In 2005, he started Founders Fund with PayPal partners Ken Howery and Luke Nosek. Thiel made his mark as Facebook's first outside investor, acquiring a 10.2% stake for $500,000 in August 2004 and later selling most of his shares for over $1 billion in 2012, though he remains on the board of directors. He also co-founded Valar Ventures in 2010, Mithril Capital in 2012 (serving as investment committee chair), and was a part-time partner at Y Combinator from 2015 to 2017.

A conservative libertarian, Thiel has donated significantly to American right-wing figures and causes. His 2011 New Zealand citizenship, granted after intervention by the Fifth National Government, sparked controversy, as he had only spent 12 non-consecutive days in the country, far short of the standard 1,350-day residency requirement.

Through the Thiel Foundation, Thiel oversees grant-making bodies Breakout Labs and Thiel Fellowship, which fund non-profit research in artificial intelligence, life extension, and seasteading. In 2016, Thiel revealed he funded Hulk Hogan in the Bollea v. Gawker lawsuit after Gawker had outed Thiel as gay. This lawsuit led to Gawker's bankruptcy and the bankruptcy of its founder, Nick Denton.

Peter Andreas Thiel, born on October 11, 1967, in Frankfurt am Main, West Germany, is a figure of considerable influence in technology, finance, and politics. His early life is marked by a series of relocations, reflecting the diverse experiences that shaped his worldview. Thiel's family moved to the United States when he was just a year old, settling in Cleveland, Ohio, before eventually making their home in Foster City, California. This move was significant as it placed Thiel in the heart of Silicon Valley, a region that would later become central to his career.

Thiel's early education was marked by academic excellence. He attended San Mateo High School, where he distinguished himself as a top student and a chess prodigy. His intellectual prowess earned him a spot at Stanford University, one of the most prestigious institutions in the country. At Stanford, Thiel pursued a degree in philosophy, a choice that reflects his deep interest in critical thinking and the fundamental questions of human existence. During his time at Stanford, Thiel co-founded the Stanford Review, a conservative-libertarian newspaper that showcased his burgeoning interest in political thought and free-market principles.

After graduating from Stanford in 1989, Thiel continued his academic journey at Stanford Law School. He earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1992, but his time in law school was

bachelor's degree in philosophy, which he completed in 1989. During his time at Stanford, he founded The Stanford Review, a conservative/libertarian newspaper that would later serve as a platform for his ideological beliefs. The Review was a response to what Thiel perceived as the dominance of left-leaning perspectives on campus. It quickly gained notoriety for its provocative articles and became a significant part of Stanford's intellectual landscape.

After completing his undergraduate degree, Thiel attended Stanford Law School, earning his J.D. in 1992. However, his legal career was brief and unfulfilling. He clerked for Judge James Larry Edmondson of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and then worked as a securities lawyer at Sullivan & Cromwell in New York. Dissatisfied with the legal profession, Thiel left after seven months and briefly worked as a derivatives trader at Credit Suisse. His disillusionment with these traditional career paths led him to return to Silicon Valley, where he would soon make his mark as an entrepreneur and investor.

Peter Thiel's career trajectory is a testament to his ability to identify and capitalize on transformative opportunities. His entrepreneurial journey began in earnest in 1998 when he co-founded PayPal, an online payment system, with Max Levchin and Luke Nosek. PayPal revolutionized online payments and became one of the most successful tech startups of the dot-com era. Thiel served as CEO, guiding the company through its initial public offering (IPO) in 2002 and its subsequent acquisition by eBay for $1.5 billion.

The success of PayPal provided Thiel with both the capital and the reputation to become a prominent venture capitalist. In 2004, he made a pivotal investment of $500,000 in Facebook, acquiring a 10.2% stake and a seat on the board. This early investment in what would become one of the world's largest social networks solidified Thiel's status as a visionary investor. His venture capital firm, Founders Fund, founded in 2005, has since invested in numerous groundbreaking companies, including SpaceX, Palantir Technologies, and Airbnb.

Thiel's career is also marked by his role in the founding of Palantir Technologies in 2003, a company specializing in big data analytics. Palantir's software is widely used by government agencies and private companies for data analysis and security purposes. Thiel's vision for Palantir was to create a tool that could address complex data problems, from counter-terrorism to financial fraud. The company has grown significantly and went public in 2020.

In addition to his entrepreneurial and investment activities, Thiel is known for his contrarian views and intellectual pursuits. He authored the book "Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future" in 2014, which has become a seminal work in startup philosophy. The book encapsulates Thiel's belief in the power of innovation and the importance of creating new technologies rather than merely competing in existing markets.

Peter Thiel's legacy is multifaceted, reflecting his impact on technology, finance, and thought leadership. As a co-founder of PayPal, he played a crucial role in shaping the landscape of online payments, a legacy that continues to influence fintech innovations today. His early investment in Facebook and his involvement in other successful startups have cemented his reputation as one of the most astute venture capitalists of his generation.

Thiel's influence extends beyond business into the realms of politics and ideology. A self-described libertarian, he has been an outspoken advocate for free markets, individual liberty, and technological progress. His support for unconventional ideas and willingness to challenge mainstream thinking have made him a polarizing figure. For example, Thiel's backing of Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign drew significant attention and controversy, highlighting his willingness to align with disruptive political movements.

Looking to the future, Thiel's interests continue to evolve. He remains actively involved in Founders Fund and Palantir Technologies, driving innovation in areas such as artificial intelligence, space exploration, and biotechnology. Thiel's interest in life extension and anti-aging research, through his support of initiatives like the Methuselah Foundation and the SENS Research Foundation, indicates his desire to push the boundaries of human potential.

Thiel's legacy will likely be defined by his contributions to both the technological and intellectual landscapes. His emphasis on contrarian thinking, innovation, and the pursuit of transformative ideas continues to inspire entrepreneurs and thinkers around the world. As technology and society face increasingly complex challenges, Thiel's vision for a future driven by bold, unconventional solutions will remain a significant part of his enduring impact.

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