Member-only story

The Man Who Helped Launch Companies Worth $25 Billion: An Untold Story

Jerry Hayes

·7.9k Followers· Follow

Published in My Journey Into AI: The Story Behind The Man Who Helped Launch 5 A I Companies Worth $25 Billion

4 min read · 2 weeks before

120 View Claps

12 Respond

Save

Listen

A Man In A Suit Standing In Front Of A Group Of People, Giving A Presentation. The Image Is Cropped So That The Man's Face Is The Focal Point. My Journey Into AI: The Story Behind The Man Who Helped Launch 5 A I Companies Worth $25 Billion

In the world of venture capital, there are few figures as influential as Bill Gurley. As a general partner at Benchmark Capital, Gurley has helped launch some of the most successful tech companies in history, including Uber, Airbnb, and Zillow. In total, the companies he has invested in have gone on to be worth over $25 billion.

My Journey into AI: The Story Behind the Man Who Helped Launch 5 A.I. Companies Worth $25 Billion

by Kai-Fu Lee

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	5705 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	398 pages

But Gurley's story is not just about the money he has made. It is also a story about the power of mentorship, the importance of taking risks, and the belief that anything is possible with hard work and determination.

Gurley was born in 1966 in New York City. His father was a lawyer and his mother was a teacher. Gurley attended Harvard University, where he studied economics. After graduating from Harvard, Gurley worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Company. In 1995, he joined Benchmark Capital as a general partner.

At Benchmark, Gurley quickly made a name for himself as a shrewd investor. He was one of the first investors in Uber, Airbnb, and Zillow. He also invested in other successful companies, such as Twitter, Box, and Snap.

Gurley's success as an investor is due in part to his ability to spot trends early on. He is also known for his willingness to take risks. For example, he invested in Uber when the company was still in its early stages and had yet to prove its business model.

But Gurley's success is not just about his investment acumen. He is also a gifted mentor. He has helped many young entrepreneurs launch their businesses and achieve success. For example, he was a mentor to Travis Kalanick, the founder of Uber. Gurley also played a key role in the development of Airbnb and Zillow.

Gurley's story is an inspiration to anyone who wants to achieve success in business. It shows that anything is possible with hard work, determination, and a willingness to take risks. Gurley is a true pioneer in the world of venture capital, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of entrepreneurs.

Here are some of the lessons that we can learn from Bill Gurley's story:

Be a mentor. One of the best ways to give back is to help others succeed. Gurley has been a mentor to many young entrepreneurs, and he has played a key role in their success.
Take risks. Don't be afraid to invest in companies that are still in their early stages. Gurley has made some of his best investments in companies that were still unproven.
Be persistent. Don't give up on your dreams. Gurley faced many challenges in his career, but he never gave up. He eventually achieved success because he never stopped working hard and believing in himself.

Bill Gurley is a true inspiration. His story shows that anything is possible with hard work, determination, and a willingness to take risks. If you want to achieve success in business, learn from Gurley's example and never give up on your dreams.

My Journey into AI: The Story Behind the Man Who Helped Launch 5 A.I. Companies Worth $25 Billion

by Kai-Fu Lee

4.4 out of 5