Michael Moritz Biography
Early Life and Education
Born in Cardiff, Wales, to parents who fled Nazi Germany, Moritz's personal background shaped his unique perspective. He attended Howardian High School before earning a bachelor's degree in history from Christ Church, Oxford, and an MBA from the Wharton School.
Journalism and Early Career
Moritz's career started as a journalist, specifically writing about the development of the Mac for a book on Apple. This opportunity led to his involvement in the project and caught the attention of Steve Jobs. He even co-authored a book on the Chrysler story during his time at Time magazine.
Sequoia Capital and Investment Success
In 1986, Moritz co-founded Technologic Partners, a technology newsletter and conference company. He later joined Sequoia Capital, where his investments in companies like Google, Yahoo!, PayPal, and Zappos contributed to Sequoia Capital's current public market value of over $3.3 trillion.
Recognition and Philanthropy
Forbes recognized Moritz as the top dealmaker in the technology industry, ranking him number one in their prestigious "Midas List" in 2006 and 2007. He was also named one of Time's 100 most influential people in 2007. Recently, Moritz made headlines when he left Sequoia Capital after nearly four decades to focus on Sequoia Heritage, an independent wealth-management fund he helped launch. This move showcases his adaptability and success in different industries. Beyond his professional achievements, Moritz's philanthropy is noteworthy. He has made significant donations to educational institutions like Christ Church at Oxford University and the Juilliard School, as well as the University of California, San Francisco. His $20 million donation to the American Civil Liberties Union is the largest the organization has ever received. Furthermore, Moritz and his wife, Harriet Heyman, sponsor the Booker Prize for novelists through their charity Crankstart, and he is a signatory of The Giving Pledge, committing to donating at least half his wealth to charitable causes. His involvement in the Lincoln Project showcases his political engagement and support for causes aligned with his values.
