Shervin Pishevar facts for kids

{{Infobox person | honorific_prefix = | name = Shervin Pishevar | honorific_suffix = | native_name = شروین پيشه ور | native_name_lang = fa | image = Shervin Pishevar (25449316342).jpg | image_size = | alt = | caption = | birth_name = Shervin Kordary Pishevar | birth_date = (1974-03-24) March 24, 1974 (age 51) | birth_place = Tehran, Iran | disappeared_date = | disappeared_place = | disappeared_status = | death_date = | death_place = | death_cause = | body_discovered = | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates = | monuments = | nationality = Iranian American | other_names = | citizenship = United States | education = | alma_mater = University of California, Berkeley

| occupation =

Shervin Kordary Pishevar (Persian: شروین پیشه ور) was born on March 24, 1974. He is an Iranian-American entrepreneur and venture capitalist. This means he starts new businesses and invests money in other new companies. He is also known as a super angel investor and helps others through charity.

Shervin Pishevar co-founded Hyperloop One, a company working on super-fast transportation. He also co-founded Sherpa Capital, a fund that has invested in popular companies like Airbnb and Uber. As an early investor, he has supported over 60 companies. Before this, he worked at Menlo Ventures, where he helped invest in companies like Warby Parker and Tumblr. He also helped start technology companies such as webs.com and HyperOffice.

From 2011 to 2013, he was part of the United Nations Foundation's Global Entrepreneurs Council. In 2012, the U.S. Government recognized him as an "Outstanding American by Choice." In 2015, Barack Obama appointed him to the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. He also received an Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2016.

Early Life and Education

Shervin Pishevar was born in Tehran, Iran. His father, Abraham Pishevar, worked in television and radio. His mother was Eshrat Kordary Pishevar. Shervin's father moved to the United States after facing danger in Iran. He became a taxi driver in Silver Spring, Maryland. Shervin and his family joined him 18 months later. Even while driving a cab, his father earned a Ph.D. in Mass Communication from Howard University.

Shervin's parents wanted him to become a doctor. He attended Montgomery Blair High School, a special school for math and science. As a student, he was elected to the Montgomery County Board of Education. He worked to create a small education tax and donate student projects to charity.

While studying at UC Berkeley, he researched special peptides. He also co-authored an article in the Journal of the American Medicine Society in 1996. This article helped create the Istanbul Protocol, which are international rules for documenting torture.

As a senior at Berkeley, Pishevar started Berkeley Scientific. This was the first peer-reviewed student research journal in the United States. He also took graduate courses in health economics.

Career Highlights

Starting New Companies (1997–2004)

Instead of medicine, Pishevar chose to become an entrepreneur. At 23, he founded WebOS. This company created early web-based operating systems. In 1999, the Financial Times called WebOS "disruptive technology." Pishevar believed it would change how software was shared. He was the CEO until 2001, when the company closed. He and a co-founder later used the software to create HyperOffice.

In 2001, Pishevar also helped start Seges Capital. This company managed investments for Vanderbilt University. He also co-founded Ionside Interactive, where he led product development. He helped create advanced 3D graphics and AI for Pocket PCs. He also co-founded Application Corporation, which made the HyperOffice messaging suite.

Growing Businesses (2005–2012)

In 2005, Pishevar became the founding president of Webs Inc.. This company helped people create websites. Webs Inc. became one of the largest social publishing communities. Pishevar left Webs in 2008 to lead SGN, but stayed on Webs' board until 2012.

Pishevar co-founded and was CEO of the Social Gaming Network (SGN). SGN raised $15 million from investors in 2008. The company was later bought by MindJolt in 2011. At that time, Pishevar was the executive chairman of SGN.

In 2010, he was appointed chief application officer at Mozilla Corporation.

In 2011, Pishevar joined Menlo Ventures, a large investment fund. He led their $26 million investment in Uber. He also worked with companies like Machine Zone and Warby Parker. He helped launch the Menlo Talent Fund, which invested in many new companies.

Sherpa Capital (2013–Present)

In 2013, Pishevar left Menlo Ventures to start Sherpa Capital with Scott Stanford. This company acts as a venture capital fund and helps new companies grow. Sherpa Capital made its first investment in July 2013.

In July 2014, Sherpa raised $154 million to invest in consumer technology startups. By July 2016, they had raised $470 million for two new funds. As of July 2017, investors had put almost $640 million into Sherpa. Sherpa Capital has invested in companies like Uber, Airbnb, and Rent the Runway.

Virgin Hyperloop One

In 2014, Pishevar took on Elon Musk's challenge to build a hyperloop. A hyperloop is a new type of super-fast transportation system. In late 2014, Pishevar, Josh Giegel, and Brogan BamBrogan co-founded Hyperloop One. Sherpa Capital led the first investment round, raising $37 million for the company.

In October 2017, Richard Branson's Virgin Group invested in Hyperloop One. The company was then renamed Virgin Hyperloop One.

Angel and Seed Investments

As an angel or seed investor, Pishevar has invested in over 60 companies. These are very early investments in new businesses. Some of these companies include Aardvark, Dollar Shave Club, Gowalla, Klout, Postmates, and Taskrabbit.

Activism and Community Work

On January 27, 2011, after the Egyptian government shut down the internet, Pishevar started the Open Mesh Project. He asked for help to create software that could turn laptops into low-cost internet routers. This would create a 'mesh network' to share internet access. Later that year, he visited Egypt to see the Arab Spring protests.

In the United States, Pishevar has supported the Startup Visa Act. This act would create a new type of visa for immigrant entrepreneurs. In 2016, he suggested a mobile app to help police officers and citizens during traffic stops. The app would share information before officers approached a car. This could help reduce the need for face-to-face contact during stops.

Political Involvement

Shervin Pishevar was a top fundraiser for both of Barack Obama's presidential campaigns. In April 2016, he hosted a fundraising event for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign at his home.

Awards and Recognition

Pishevar was a main speaker at President Obama's Summit on Entrepreneurship in Algeria. He also helped create the Obama Technology and Innovation Plan in 2008. From 2011 to 2013, he was one of 10 members of the United Nations Foundation's Global Entrepreneurs Council. He helped create the UN's first mobile application.

In 2012, the United States government chose him as an "Outstanding American by Choice." This award celebrates the achievements of naturalized Americans. In 2013, Pishevar was one of 15 technology leaders who met with President Obama. They discussed topics like government information technology. He also served as an Entrepreneurial Ambassador for the United States Department of State.

In 2015, Obama appointed him to the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. Pishevar received an Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2016.

In 2017, Vanity Fair included Pishevar on its "New Establishment" list. He was also on the Forbes Midas List for the fourth year in a row.

Philanthropy and Giving Back

While at the University of California, Berkeley, Pishevar volunteered in a children's hospital emergency room. He also reached out to a New York Times writer in 1994. He wanted to help a doctor at a Bosnian children's clinic mentioned in a story about the Bosnian War.

Throughout his career, he has supported several charities. He has traveled to Africa to volunteer with Invisible Children and charity: water. He has also been active with the Bay Area Boys & Girls Clubs of America. He served on the boards of Illuminate the Arts and BUILD.

In 2011, Pishevar co-founded 1% of Nothing with Matt Galligan, Michael Birch, and Scott Harrison. This organization connects startups and their founders to various good causes.

In 2013, he created the Cyrus Prize. Named after Cyrus the Great, it is a $100,000 grant for Iranian inventors.

Pishevar is a single father and has two children.