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Ken Howery is a Co-founder and Partner at Founders Fund, operating primarily out of Austin, Texas. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Stanford University in 1998, he co-founded the financial technology company PayPal alongside Peter Thiel. He served as the startup's first Chief Financial Officer from 1998 to 2002, managing its financial operations through an initial public offering and subsequent $1.5 billion acquisition by eBay. In 2005, Howery co-founded Founders Fund, helping build the firm to manage over $3 billion in assets while directing early-stage investments across the technology sector. He temporarily stepped away from venture capital to serve as the United States Ambassador to Sweden from 2019 to 2021. Today, his work centers on private investing and supporting the Texas technology ecosystem through his ongoing leadership at Founders Fund.
Ken Howery stands as a pivotal figure in the venture capital landscape, best known as a Co-founder and Partner at Founders Fund. This prominent firm is celebrated for its unique, often contrarian, approach to investing in transformative technology companies. Howery's journey into venture capital is deeply rooted in his foundational role at PayPal, where he was an integral part of the early team, often referred to as the "PayPal Mafia." This experience provided him with invaluable insights into building and scaling disruptive internet companies from the ground up.
At Founders Fund, Ken Howery plays a crucial role in identifying and nurturing companies that challenge conventional wisdom and aim for ambitious, long-term impact. His investment philosophy aligns with the firm's ethos of making large, concentrated bets on companies that have the potential to redefine industries. Howery's investment focus areas are broad yet strategic, encompassing cutting-edge sectors such as artificial intelligence, space exploration, biotechnology, enterprise software, and consumer internet platforms. He is particularly drawn to founders with bold visions who are tackling complex problems with innovative solutions.
Throughout his career, Ken Howery has been associated with some of the most impactful technology companies of the last two decades. While many investments are a collective effort of Founders Fund, the firm's portfolio under his guidance has included early stakes in companies like Facebook, SpaceX, Palantir, Airbnb, Lyft, Spotify, and Stripe. These investments underscore his ability to spot nascent technologies and business models that would later become global giants. His background at PayPal, where he served as CFO and played a key role in its growth and eventual sale to eBay, equipped him with a deep understanding of financial operations, strategic planning, and market dynamics crucial for guiding startups.
Ken Howery's influence extends beyond capital allocation; he is known for his hands-on approach, providing strategic guidance and mentorship to the entrepreneurs he backs. His commitment to fostering innovation and supporting founders who dare to build the future has solidified his reputation as a respected and forward-thinking investor in the global technology ecosystem. His work at Founders Fund continues to shape the trajectory of emerging technologies and industries, making him a significant force in venture capital.
Ken Howery is a Co-founder and Partner at Founders Fund, a leading venture capital firm. He is also recognized as an early team member of PayPal, part of the influential "PayPal Mafia" group of entrepreneurs.
Ken Howery focuses his investments on transformative technologies across various sectors. His key areas of interest include artificial intelligence (AI), space exploration, biotechnology, enterprise software, and consumer internet platforms.
Ken Howery works as a Co-founder and Partner at Founders Fund, a prominent venture capital firm based in San Francisco, California. He has been with the firm since its inception.
