Michael Moritz

Michael is a venture capitalist at Sequoia Capital focusing on software and services investments. Prior to joining Sequoia Capital in 1986, he worked in a variety of positions at Time Warner and was a Founder of Technologic Partners. (From Forbes) Influential investor urged portfolio companies to slash costs in a gloomy presentation in late 2008; quickly circulated through Silicon Valley, causing a stir among venture capitalists. Later insisted he never meant the glum slides to reach the public. Early Google investment alongside Doerr keeps him at the top of our list. Notched smaller win last year with social network Plaxo, sold to Comcast for $175 million. Oxford-educated Welshman chronicled tech for Time before becoming a venture capitalist. Shored up endowment of alma mater Christ Church college at Oxford with $50 million gift in June.