Don Valentine

Don Valentine in 2009. Photograph by Steve Jurvetson

Donald T. "Don" Valentine (born c. 1932) is an influential venture capitalist who concentrates mainly on technology companies in the United States.^[1] He has been called the "grandfather of Silicon Valley venture capital".^[2][3] The Computer History Museum credited him as playing "a key role in the formation of a number of industries such as semiconductors, personal computers, personal computer software, digital entertainment and networking."^[4]

Career

After graduating with a B.A. from Fordham University, he began his technology career in the 1950s and was a founder of National Semiconductor, as well as being a senior sales and marketing executive for Fairchild Semiconductor.^[5]

In 1972, he founded venture capital firm Sequoia Capital, and in that role was one of the original investors of Apple Computer, Atari, LSI Logic, Oracle Corporation, Cisco, Electronic Arts, Google, YouTube and many other companies.^[6]

Valentine is a former Chairman of NetApp and Traiana. He has, over decades, served on the boards of many other technology companies including Apple, Atari, C-Cube, Cisco Systems, Electronic Arts, Linear Technology, LSI Logic, Microchip Technology, NetApp, Oracle, PMC-Sierra.^[7] Valentine was featured in the documentary film Something Ventured which premiered in 2011.

Personal life

Don Valentine has three children and seven grandchildren, all of whom live in the Bay Area.

References

External links

• Sequoia Capital U.S.
• Sequoia website profile
• Stanford Business School presents Don Valentine, Sequoia Capital: "Target Big Markets"

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