Don Valentine
American venture capitalist known as the founder of Sequoia Capital.
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Donald Thomas Valentine (June 26, 1932 - October 25, 2019) was an American venture capitalist who focused primarily on technology companies in the United States.
He has been called the "grandfather of Silicon Valley venture capital."
The Computer History Museum believes it has played "a key role in shaping a number of industries such as semiconductors, personal computers, personal computer software, digital entertainment and networking"
Valentine grew up in the Bronx, New York, was a Catholic and came from a family of Danish descent. He enrolled at Mount St. Michael Academy.
After receiving his bachelor's degree from Fordham University, he began his career as a sales engineer at Raytheon.
He worked in this position for less than a year before moving to Fairchild Semiconductor, where he built up the sales department for seven years. He left and joined National Semiconductor, working as a senior sales and marketing manager.
In 1972 , Valentine founded the venture capital firm Sequoia Capital .
Initially, the company focused on early venture investments in small, risky technology companies.
Sequoia's first investment was in Atari in 1975, before the company was sold to Warner Communications for $28 million.
Sequoia was one of the first investors in Apple Computer and Atari after Valentine met Steve Jobs when he was an Atari line engineer.
And in 1978, Sequoia invested $150,000 in Apple Inc.
Valentine was the chairman of NetApp and Traiana.
He has served on the boards of directors of many other technology companies, including Apple, Atari, C-Cube, Cisco Systems, Electronic Arts, Linear Technology, LSI Logic, Microchip Technology, NetApp, Oracle, PMC-Sierra.
Valentine starred in the documentary "Something Risky", which premiered in 2011.
Valentin died on October 25, 2019 at the age of 87. He is survived by three children and seven grandchildren who live in the Bay area.
Valentin died on October 25, 2019 at the age of 87. He is survived by three children and seven grandchildren who live in the Bay area.He is survived by three children and seven grandchildren who live in the Bay area.
Valentin died on October 25, 2019 at the age of 87. He is survived by three children and seven grandchildren who live in the Bay area.
Valentin died on October 25, 2019 at the age of 87. He is survived by three children and seven grandchildren who live in the Bay area
Valentin died on October 25, 2019 at the age of 87.
Valentin died on October 25, 2019 at the age of 87.
Valentin died on October 25, 2019 at the age of 87.
Valentine starred in the documentary "Something Risky""Something Risky", which premiered in 2011.
Valentine starred in the documentary "Something Risky""Something Risky", which premiered in 2011.
Valentine starred in the documentary "Something Risky", which premiered in 2011.
He has served on the boards of directors of many other technology companies, including Apple, Atari, C-Cube, Cisco Systems, Electronic Arts, Linear Technology, LSI Logic, Microchip Technology, NetApp, Oracle, PMC-Sierra.
He has served on the boards of directors of many other technology companies, including Apple, Atari, C-Cube, Cisco Systems, Electronic Arts, Linear Technology, LSI Logic, Microchip Technology, NetApp, Oracle, PMC-Sierra
Valentine was the chairman of NetApp and Traiana.
Valentine was the chairman of NetApp and Traiana.
Valentine was the chairman of NetApp and Traiana.
And in 1978, Sequoia invested $150,000 in Apple Inc.
And in 1978, Sequoia invested $150,000 in Apple Inc.
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