Thomas J. Perkins facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas J. Perkins
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Perkins speaking at TechCrunch in San Francisco in 2013
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| Born |
Thomas James Perkins
January 7, 1932 |
| Died | June 7, 2016 (aged 84) Marin County, California, U.S.
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| Alma mater | MIT (BS) Harvard University (MBA) |
| Occupation | Venture Capitalist |
| Known for | Co Founder of Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers |
| Spouse(s) | Gerd Thune-Ellefsen (m. ?–1994) Danielle Steel (1998–2002; divorced) |
Thomas James Perkins (January 7, 1932 – June 7, 2016) was an important American businessman. He was known for helping to start a special kind of company called a venture capital firm. This firm, named Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, helped new technology companies grow.
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Who Was Thomas Perkins?
Thomas Perkins was a smart and forward-thinking person. He played a big part in the world of technology and business. He helped many new companies get started and become successful. He is often called a "venture capitalist."
What is a Venture Capitalist?
A venture capitalist is someone who invests money in new businesses. These businesses often have great ideas but need funding to get started. Venture capitalists take a risk by giving money to these new companies. They hope that these companies will grow very big and successful. When the company does well, the venture capitalist also benefits. This helps new inventions and ideas come to life.
Early Life and Education
Thomas Perkins was born in White Plains, New York, in 1932. He was very good at his studies. He went to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, also known as MIT. There, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree. This is a degree in a science-related field.
After MIT, he continued his education at Harvard University. At Harvard, he earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. This degree teaches people how to manage and run businesses. His strong education helped him understand both technology and business.
Starting Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers
In 1972, Thomas Perkins co-founded a company called Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. He started it with Eugene Kleiner, Frank Caufield, and Brook Byers. This company became one of the most famous venture capital firms in the world.
The firm focused on investing in new technology companies. Many of these companies were just starting out in Silicon Valley, California. Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers helped fund some very well-known companies. These included Genentech, Compaq, Netscape, and Google. By investing in these companies early on, Perkins and his partners helped shape the modern technology world.
Impact on Technology
Thomas Perkins and his firm had a huge impact on the technology industry. They provided the money and advice that many startups needed. Without their support, many of the technologies we use today might not exist. They helped turn small ideas into big, successful businesses. This created many jobs and new products for people around the world.
Later Life and Death
Thomas Perkins continued to be an important figure in business for many years. He passed away on June 7, 2016. He was 84 years old and died at his home in Marin County, California. He left behind a legacy of innovation and support for new ideas.
