Peter Thiel

Who is Peter Andreas Thiel? A Visionary Entrepreneur and Political Activist

The Early Years: From Mathematics to Philosophy

Peter Thiel, an American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and political activist, has carved a unique path in the tech world. Born as a German citizen, he became an American by naturalization and later acquired New Zealand citizenship. His journey began with a passion for mathematics and philosophy, which led him to Stanford University where he co-founded The Stanford Review, a conservative newspaper.

From Law School to Venture Capital

After graduating law school, Thiel clerked for a judge, worked as a securities lawyer, and eventually capitalized on the dot-com boom in California. With financial support from friends and family, he raised $1 million for Thiel Capital Management and began his venture capital career.

The Rise of PayPal: A Digital Wallet Revolution

Thiel’s most notable achievement is co-founding PayPal, a digital wallet service that aimed to provide convenient and secure payment options. The company grew through mergers, including one with Elon Musk’s X in 2000, and raised $3 million in venture funding at its launch. Thiel believed PayPal’s mission was to liberate people from the erosion of currency value due to inflation and provide citizens worldwide with more direct control over their currencies.

From PayPal to Palantir: Big Data Analysis

After eBay bought PayPal for $1.5 billion in 2002, Thiel created Clarium Capital Management and made predictions on currency markets. He founded Palantir Technologies, a big data analysis company, after the September 11 attacks, and it grew to be valued at $20 billion.

Investing in Innovation: From Facebook to SpaceX

Thiel’s investment in Facebook in 2004 was his first outside investment. He met Mark Zuckerberg through Sean Parker and agreed to lead Facebook’s seed round with $500,000 for 10.2% of the company. Thiel allowed the loan to be converted to equity anyway, despite Facebook narrowly missing its user target. He said it was a ‘pretty safe investment’ and thought the valuation was reasonable.

Supporting Startups: Founders Fund and Beyond

In 2005, Thiel created Founders Fund, a San Francisco-based venture capital fund. Other partners in the fund include Sean Parker, Ken Howery, and Luke Nosek. He made early-stage investments in numerous startups, including Airbnb, LinkedIn, Spotify, and SpaceX.

Political Activism: From Mitt Romney to Donald Trump

Peter Thiel is a self-described conservative libertarian who supports national conservatism and has criticized economically liberal attitudes towards free trade and big tech. He donated $1.25 million to Trump’s campaign and became a delegate for Trump’s nomination in 2016. By February 2022, he was one of the largest Republican donors with over $20.4 million in contributions.

Philanthropy: From Seasteading to Anti-Aging Research

Thiel has pledged $500,000 to the Seasteading Institute and created the Thiel Fellowship, which awards $100,000 to young entrepreneurs under 23. He also supports the Human Rights Foundation and has donated over $1 million to the Committee to Protect Journalists since 2008.

Personal Life: A Philosopher and a Chess Master

In his personal life, Thiel married his partner Matt Danzeisen in Vienna, Austria. He is a self-described Christian and promoter of René Girard’s Christian anthropology. Thiel began playing chess at six and holds the title of Life Master, but has not competed since 2003.

Conclusion: A Visionary with Diverse Interests

Peter Thiel is a multifaceted individual whose interests span from technology to politics and philanthropy. His journey from mathematics to philosophy, his investments in groundbreaking companies like PayPal and Facebook, and his political activism make him a fascinating figure in the tech world. Whether you admire or criticize his actions, there’s no denying that Peter Thiel has left an indelible mark on our society.