TIM DRAPER
The Risk Master of Silicon Valley. Investor in the future.
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BIOGRAPHY
Tim Draper is not just an investor; he is a catalyst for global change, championing decentralization and the entrepreneurial spirit.
Born to be Wild
June 11, 1958: Timothy Cook Draper arrives and a year later, his father and mother move the family to California to join his grandfather at the first Silicon Valley venture capital firm, Draper, Gaither and Anderson, started in 1957.
His grandfather had previously led the economic reconstruction of Germany and Japan with the Marshall Plan after WWII, had served as the President of the Long Island Railroad, the President of the Mexican electric company, Undersecretary of the Army under Eisenhower and Undersecretary of State under Truman, and the first US Ambassador to NATO.
His father, Bill Draper became one of the pioneers of venture capital, building Sutter Hill Ventures, and then served under Reagan as Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the US, and under Bush 41, served as the Administrator of UNDP. He then went on to create the first venture capital firm in India, Draper Richards, and the first venture philanthropy fund, DRK Foundation.
Tim Draper became the first third-generation venture-capitalist. Three of his children are also venture capitalists, adding to the Draper Dynasty. Through his career as a VC, Tim Draper has built a rare visionary and moonshot mindset that still fuels every bold prediction you'll find in the Media & Press section below.
Investing in the Future and Making history
Tim Draper graduated from Stanford in electrical engineering (1980), and received a Harvard MBA (1984), then after a brief stint working with Alex. Brown & Sons, founded Draper Associates in 1985, which he grew into what became DFJ in 1995.
What followed were the investments that changed everything — Hotmail (where Tim invented viral marketing), Baidu, Skype, Tesla, SpaceX, Twitch, and Bitcoin, which he purchased from the US Marshall's office in a public auction. These are the stories of intuition, risk, and legendary returns told in detail in the Legendary Investments section.
Building the Hero Factory
In 2011 Tim bought a historic 1927 hotel in downtown San Mateo and, in 2012, turned it into Draper University — the world's only live-in bootcamp that trains "Startup Heroes."
Over 6,000 alumni from 104 countries have graduated, launching 2,000+ companies. As of this writing, DU founders have built 8 unicorns already. Everything that happens inside those walls (and the global ecosystem it powers) is explored in The Network section.
The Journey of a Lifetime
From his 1958 birth into VC innovators who became VC royalty, through Stanford and Harvard, founding Draper Associates, the Bitcoin auction win, Draper University, his book, "The Startup Hero", the TV show, "Meet The Drapers", and Draper Associates' 40th anniversary in 2025 — every key milestone is mapped out with photos and exact dates in the interactive Life of a Hero timeline.
The Playbook He Lives By
These four unbreakable principles — Viral Marketing, Decentralization, The Startup Hero, and Free Markets — guide every investment and every speech. Read them in Tim’s own words in the Philosophy section.
The Show That Turned Pitching Into Prime Time
In 2017 Tim brought his entire family on screen and launched Meet The Drapers — now in Season 9, watched in 167 countries, investing $1 million prizes to the next wave of heroes. Watch the latest episodes, winner stories, and behind-the-scenes clips right now in The Show section.
LEGENDARY INVESTMENTS
Stories of intuition, risk, and massive returns. Click to reveal the lessons learned.
Life of TIM
Born in Silicon Valley
Third-generation venture capitalist.
Born in Silicon Valley
Third-generation venture capitalist.
Stanford Engineering Degree
Studied electrical engineering.
Stanford Engineering Degree
Studied electrical engineering.
Harvard MBA
Business fundamentals and network building.
Harvard MBA
Business fundamentals and network building.
Founded Draper Associates
First fund, focused on early-stage tech.
Founded Draper Associates
First fund, focused on early-stage tech.
Co-Founded DFJ
Partnership with Fisher and Jurvetson for global reach.
Co-Founded DFJ
Partnership with Fisher and Jurvetson for global reach.
Hotmail and Viral Marketing
Pioneered viral marketing strategy.
Hotmail and Viral Marketing
Pioneered viral marketing strategy.
First U.S. VC to Invest in China
Early bet on Baidu when others passed.
First U.S. VC to Invest in China
Early bet on Baidu when others passed.
Early Investor in Tesla
Backed electric vehicles during early uncertainty.
Early Investor in Tesla
Backed electric vehicles during early uncertainty.
Acquired Hotel Benjamin Franklin
Purchased historic building for entrepreneurship school.
Acquired Hotel Benjamin Franklin
Purchased historic building for entrepreneurship school.
Founded Draper University
Hands-on entrepreneurship education program.
Founded Draper University
Hands-on entrepreneurship education program.
Won U.S. Marshals Bitcoin Auction
Acquired 30,000 BTC for $19 million.
Won U.S. Marshals Bitcoin Auction
Acquired 30,000 BTC for $19 million.
Published Startup Hero Book
Documented entrepreneurship lessons.
Published Startup Hero Book
Documented entrepreneurship lessons.
Launched Meet The Drapers
TV show for startup pitches.
Launched Meet The Drapers
TV show for startup pitches.
Partner at Draper Goren Holm
Blockchain-focused investment firm.
Partner at Draper Goren Holm
Blockchain-focused investment firm.
Founded BitcoinFi Accelerator
Supporting Bitcoin-native startups.
Founded BitcoinFi Accelerator
Supporting Bitcoin-native startups.
40 Years, Fund VIII Raised
Raised $200M for eighth fund.
40 Years, Fund VIII Raised
Raised $200M for eighth fund.
Tim's Principles
Viral Marketing
Tim coined 'viral marketing' with Hotmail's email footer strategy. It changed how software grows forever: organic, exponential, and user-driven.
Decentralization
Advocating for a world where trust is distributed, not mandated. Governments should compete for citizens, not control them.
The Startup Hero
They fight the status quo, risk everything, and build the future. Government and policy should support, not hinder them.
Free Markets
Open markets and competition create the best outcomes for humanity. Regulation often stifles the very innovation we need.
How to Be the Startup Hero
A guide for entrepreneurs to change the world. Embrace the risk, lead with vision, and never give up.Get the Book
GET THE BOOK