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How Did Don Valentine Build Sequoia Capital
- Don Valentine studied chemistry at Fordham University but made his way to California in the 1950s to make a career in the emerging tech sector.
- Valentine learned the inner workings of the semiconductor industry during his time at Fairchild Semiconductor and witnessed how crucial venture capital was in enabling groundbreaking ideas to turn into viable businesses.
- In 1972, he founded Sequoia Capital, which focused on investing in disruptive tech startups led by visionary founders.
- Valentine looked for founders who had an unyielding commitment to their vision, were adaptable, and had deep expertise in their field.
- His investment decisions centered on identifying founders who had the potential to be great and didn’t focus on established business plans.
- Some of Sequoia’s earliest investments include Atari, the video game company, and Apple in its earliest stages.
- Valentine’s influence and principles continue to shape Sequoia’s approach, and in 2020, the company’s portfolio included companies collectively worth over $3.3 trillion.
- Valentine retired from active investing in 1996, but his values remain deeply embedded in Sequoia’s DNA.
- Valentine's journey with Sequoia Capital transformed venture capital by showing that true value lies in backing visionary founders with revolutionary ideas.
- His legacy will continue to resonate across Silicon Valley for generations to come.
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