Our deep dive into each Bestie’s background and career leading to @theallinpod 🚀 comes to an end!
We’re down to the last Bestie…
It’s The Dictator, CHAMATH PALIHAPITIYA! 🔥
Let’s explore @chamath's remarkable journey from being a young immigrant to one of the most… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
2/17 🧵
Chamath Palihapitiya was born on September 3, 1976 in Sri Lanka. His family moved to Canada when he was six after his father got stationed at the Sri Lankan High Commission in Ottawa.
When the posting ended in 1986, it wasn’t safe for the family to return home because… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
3/17 🧵
After losing his job, Chamath’s father struggled with alcoholism. His mother had to work nights as a housekeeper and nurse aide. The family had to grind to pay rent on a 400 sqft apartment and survive.
At only age 14, Chamath worked at @BurgerKing to help pay the bills.
4/17 🧵
Despite struggling financially, Chamath was able to attend Lisgar Collegiate Institute, one of the best public high schools in Ottawa.
In 1999, Chamath graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering from @UWaterloo. He also received first-class honors.
5/17 🧵
After college, his first job was being a derivatives trader for the investment bank BMO Nesbitt Burns. However, he felt that this job didn’t fulfill his interest in technology.
So when he was offered a job by @winamp, he grabbed the opportunity. He quit and moved to… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
6/17 🧵
Chamath worked on Product and Business Development at @winamp, which was owned by @AOL.
After just a few years working under AOL, he became the youngest Vice President in the company’s history. He played a significant role in developing the company’s iconic messaging… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
7/17 🧵
During his time at AOL, Chamath formed a connection with Mark Zuckerberg because of a deal they made linking AIM to @facebook.
The two would get together every couple of months, talking about their shared views on business and tech.
In 2007, Chamath left Mayfield to… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
8/17 🧵
Chamath’s first few months at @facebook was not a smashing success. He led the release of Beacon, which failed and led to lawsuits.
But after the setback, he led a team focusing on new user growth. Through his aggressive growth strategy and management, he grew 50… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
9/17 🧵
After leaving Facebook, Chamath established his own venture capital firm, The Social+Capital Partnership. It was renamed @socialcapital in 2015.
The firm focuses on investing in companies that aim to solve large-scale problems, particularly in the areas of climate… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
10/17 🧵
Through @socialcapital, Chamath invested in several companies including:
- @GlookoInc
- Yammer
- SecondMarket
- @SlackHQ
- @relativityspace
11/17 🧵
Chamath is a huge basketball fan 🏀 He made millions after helping buy the Golden State @warriors in 2010. He owned a 10% stake in the team with his initial investment of $25M, which later turned into $520M by 2022.
He reportedly sold his entire stake before the market… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
12/17 🧵
Chamath gained recognition for being outspoken on issues like immigration reform and subsidized housing for low-income residents in San Francisco.
He also actively engaged in philanthropy. He donated $25M to the engineering department of his alma mater, @UWaterloo. He… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
13/17 🧵
Chamath previously said that he regretted helping @facebook become the social media giant it is today. Despite thinking that Facebook is a force for good in the world, he said that many people have grappled with its unintended consequences.
He also said that he keeps… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
14/17 🧵
Chamath was married to entrepreneur Bridgette Lau until 2018. They had three children together. Lau also helped him start Social Capital.
After the split, Chamath started dating Domple Holdings CEO Nathalie Dompe. They share one child.
15/17 🧵
Despite being busy with his professional life, Chamath manages to find time for a regular workout routine to keep himself fit 💪
16/17 🧵
Since high school, Chamath has developed a lifelong obsession with poker. He used to run little blackjack games at lunch tables. He acted as the house, earning about $50 every lunch hour.
He would then use the money to sneak into charity casinos with a fake ID.
Poker… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
17/17 🧵
During the pandemic, he played poker weekly with his best friends @DavidSacks, @Jason, & @friedberg.
After guesting on Jason’s podcast, Chamath approached him to start their own. They invited their poker buddies to join.
Chamath would complete the dynamic ensemble of… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…
That’s a wrap on the highlights of Chamath Palihapitiya’s life and career so far 😄
Did we miss anything?
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