Michael Moritz

Michael Moritz – Life, Career, and Influence

Discover the remarkable journey of Sir Michael Moritz (born 1954), the Welsh-born venture capitalist, philanthropist, and former journalist. Learn about his path from writing to investing, his role at Sequoia Capital, his philanthropic legacy, and his worldview.

Introduction

Sir Michael Jonathan Moritz KBE (born September 12, 1954) is a Welsh-born businessman, venture capitalist, philanthropist, former journalist, and author. He is best known for his long and influential role at Sequoia Capital, where he made early bets on some of the world’s most transformative technology companies. Beyond investing, Moritz has also made major philanthropic gifts, particularly in education and social causes. His trajectory from journalist to tech investor offers a rare window into both narrative and capital as forces of change.

Early Life and Family

Michael Moritz was born on 12 September 1954 in Cardiff, Wales, into a Jewish family whose parents fled Nazi Germany.

• His father, Ludwig Alfred Moritz (1921–2003), was a German Jew who escaped from Nazi Germany and later became a professor of Classics and vice-principal at Cardiff University.

• His mother, Doris (née Rath; 1924–2019), also escaped Germany (via the Kindertransport) before World War II.

He grew up in Cardiff, attended Howardian High School, and was raised in an environment that combined intellectual ambition with the knowledge of exile and survival.

His family background—rooted in displacement, scholarship, and striving—shaped his worldview and ambitions.

Education

• Moritz studied History at Christ Church, University of Oxford, where he earned his undergraduate degree.

• Later, he went to the United States and earned an MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, as a Thouron scholar (in 1978).

His academic training in history plus business gave him a capacity to weave narrative insight with financial judgment—skills that would characterize his later career.

Early Career: Journalism & Writing

Before entering the world of venture capital, Moritz built a career in journalism:

• He worked for Time magazine, and in the early 1980s, Steve Jobs commissioned him to document the development of the Macintosh for a book project.

• Moritz became the San Francisco bureau chief for Time, covering the early technology scene in Silicon Valley.

• In 1984, he published Going for Broke: Lee Iacocca's Battle to Save Chrysler, co-written with Barrett Seaman.

• He also wrote The Little Kingdom: The Private Story of Apple Computer, chronicling the early years of Apple and Steve Jobs.

• Later, he expanded and reissued the Apple book as Return to the Little Kingdom.

His experience as a storyteller and technology observer gave him rare access into tech entrepreneurs and the architectural narratives shaping Silicon Valley.

Transition to Venture Capital & Sequoia Capital

Founding Technologic Partners

After journalism, Moritz co-founded Technologic Partners, a newsletter, conference, and services company focused on tech.

Joining Sequoia Capital

In 1986, Moritz joined Sequoia Capital, a venture capital firm.

During his tenure, he was instrumental in early investments in numerous landmark technology companies, including: Google, Yahoo!, PayPal, YouTube, LinkedIn, Klarna, Stripe, and more.

His success in these bets led to Moritz being ranked number one on Forbes’s Midas List of top venture capitalists in 2006 and 2007, and among the top in subsequent years.

Later Roles & Departure from Sequoia

In May 2012, Moritz announced he would step back from day-to-day responsibilities at Sequoia after being diagnosed with a rare medical condition, though he remained involved as chairman.

In July 2023, Moritz officially departed Sequoia after nearly four decades. He indicated that he would focus on Sequoia Heritage, a wealth-management arm he helped create.

Despite leaving, he retains board roles in companies like Stripe, Klarna, and Instacart.

Philanthropy & Public Impact

Moritz has committed significant time and resources to philanthropy, especially in education and social causes.

• He and his wife, Harriet Heyman, are signatories of The Giving Pledge, promising to donate at least half their wealth.

• In 2012, he donated £75 million to Oxford University to provide scholarships for students from families with low incomes—one of the largest single gifts to an undergraduate institution in Europe.

• He and his wife also donated US$50 million to UC San Francisco to support graduate and postdoc fellowships.

• In 2016, they gave US$50 million to the University of Chicago to bolster scholarships and support for talented students from lower-income backgrounds.

• In 2018, Moritz made a $20 million donation to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)—the largest the organization had ever received.

• Through his foundation Crankstart, Moritz has also supported literary and cultural causes: for instance, sponsorship of the Booker Prize for novelists.

His philanthropic philosophy often merges with his investing ethos: backing potential, opening access, and supporting institutions that cultivate talent.

Personality, Philosophy & Strengths

Narrative + Number Sense

Moritz stands out among venture capitalists because he combines storytelling, historical sensibility, and deep intellectual curiosity with financial acumen. His background as a journalist helps him see the arc and potential of emerging trends.

Continuous Learner

He has spoken about his own limitations in technology and engineering—but also about learning continuously rather than expecting mastery in every domain.

Contrarian Vision

He often emphasizes looking for “the unexpected”—investing where others do not yet see the possibility.

Humility & Stewardship

Despite his immense success, Moritz seldom seeks the limelight. He frames much of his work (especially philanthropy) as stewardship—leveraging capital, networks, and insight to fuel others’ potential.

Selected Quotes

Here are a few representative statements attributed to Moritz:

• “Look out for the unexpected.” (on finding investment opportunities)

• “I wish I understood more about the details of technology and engineering and all the rest, but you can’t be an expert in everything.”

• From his philanthropic remarks and in interviews, he often references the moral dimension of wealth: that to accumulate is not enough; to distribute in ways that uplift is a responsibility. (Implicit in his Giving Pledge and public statements)

Though Moritz is less quotable than politicians or philosophers, his writing and interviews reflect a blend of curiosity, humility, and purpose.

Legacy & Influence

Michael Moritz’s legacy is multifaceted:

1. Defining modern venture capital
   His track record—from early bets on Google, PayPal, YouTube, and more—helped shape the profile of what a high-performance venture firm could do.

2. Bridging narrative and capital
   Because he started as a writer, he brings narrative insight—seeing patterns, stories, and inflection points—to investment decisions, and that approach is now cited by many in the industry.

3. Philanthropic transformation
   His large donations and institutional giving have reshaped educational access, scholarship programs, and cultural support.

4. Role model for giving back
   Moritz is seen by some as a model for how ultra-wealth can be harnessed for lasting social good rather than merely personal accumulation.

5. Influence beyond investing
   Because he straddles literature, technology, and social purpose, his voice carries in multiple domains—capital markets, academia, philanthropy, and public policy.

Lessons from Michael Moritz’s Journey

1. Don’t lock in a single identity
   Moritz evolved from journalist → author → investor → philanthropist. He did not limit himself to early roles.

2. Narrative matters
   Seeing patterns, telling stories, understanding context—these are as vital as spreadsheets.

3. Bet on the long game
   Many of his investments required patience; transformative companies often take years to mature.

4. Use success to elevate others
   His philanthropy is not auxiliary—it is central to his values and impact.

5. Stay humble and curious
   Even with massive success, Moritz speaks of what he doesn't know—and that openness helps him adapt and learn.

Conclusion

Sir Michael Moritz is a rare figure who bridges the worlds of ideas and capital, of narrative and investment, of ambition and generosity. His life story—the son of refugees, Oxford history student, journalist, investor, and philanthropist—demonstrates how intellectual curiosity and purpose can scale into systemic influence.