Chamath Palihapitiya

Chamath Palihapitiya is a prominent venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and former Facebook executive, widely recognized as the founder and CEO of Social Capital. Established in 2011, Social Capital initially operated as a traditional venture capital firm, focusing on disruptive technology companies with the potential for significant societal impact. Palihapitiya's investment philosophy often emphasizes long-term vision and backing founders who are tackling complex, large-scale problems. His early career at Facebook, where he served as Vice President of User Growth, provided him with deep insights into scaling technology platforms, which he later applied to his investment strategies.

Social Capital evolved significantly under Palihapitiya's leadership, transitioning from a pure-play VC firm to a diversified technology holding company. This strategic pivot allowed the firm to engage in a broader range of investment activities, including public market investments and, notably, Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs). By 2018, Social Capital managed over $2.5 billion in assets, reflecting its substantial presence in the investment landscape. Palihapitiya became a leading figure in the SPAC market, utilizing these vehicles to take private companies public, a strategy that garnered both significant attention and debate within the financial community.

His investment portfolio spans a wide array of sectors, including healthcare, fintech, and enterprise software. Notable early investments through Social Capital include companies like Slack, Box, and SurveyMonkey. A landmark deal was the 2019 SPAC merger that took Virgin Galactic public, valuing the space tourism company at approximately $1.5 billion. Palihapitiya is known for his outspoken views on market dynamics, technology, and social issues, often leveraging his public platform to advocate for his investment theses and broader economic reforms. His approach combines deep technological understanding with a bold, often contrarian, investment style.