Bill Gurley

Date of Birth: May 10, 1966

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

Date of Death: *Alive*

Biography

John William “Bill” Gurley is a renowned American businessman and venture capitalist, known for his significant contributions to the technology industry. Born in Dickinson, Texas, Gurley graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering and earned an MBA from the University of Texas McCombs School of Business. He started his career as a design engineer at Compaq Computer and later became a highly respected Wall Street technology analyst, working at firms such as Credit Suisse First Boston. Gurley joined Benchmark, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm, in 1999 and has since been involved in numerous successful investments. He has been a major player in the growth of companies like Uber, Grubhub, Zillow, and many others. Known for his keen eye for disruptive technologies and business models, Gurley has established himself as one of the most influential figures in the venture capital world.

5 Interesting Facts about Bill Gurley

1. Bill Gurley was an early investor in Uber, one of the most successful and controversial tech startups of the decade.

2. He is known for his influential tech blog, “Above the Crowd,” where he shares insights on technology and investing.

3. Gurley was named to the Forbes Midas List of top tech investors multiple times.

4. He has a reputation for being a vocal advocate for capital efficiency and sustainable business practices.

5. Before joining Benchmark, Gurley was a partner at Hummer Winblad Venture Partners in San Francisco.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Bill Gurley

1. “When you invest in a startup, you’re really investing in the team and the vision more than the product itself.”

2. “The venture capital business is a lot like the movie business: hits are everything.”

3. “Companies that survive the longest are the ones that work out what they uniquely can give to the world—not just growth or money but their excellence, their respect for others, or their ability to make people happy. Some call those things a soul.”

4. “Success in this business is not about being right all the time; it’s about being right at the right time.”

5. “Capital efficiency is a critical factor in the success of a startup. It’s about achieving more with less.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At his peak, Bill Gurley’s net worth was estimated to be around $8 billion, largely due to his successful investments in companies like Uber.

Children

Bill Gurley is married to Amy Gurley, and together they have three children. The family prefers to keep their personal lives private, with limited public information available about their children.