Early Life
George Raymond Zage III was born on January 20, 1970, in Schaumburg, Illinois, USA. As a child, Zage assisted his father, a dentist, with the family's investment portfolio. In his early teens, he developed a keen interest in finance, spending hours studying financial reports and market trends. This early exposure shaped his future career path in investments.
Rise to Success
Zage began his career at Goldman Sachs in New York City. He subsequently joined Farallon Capital Management in 2000. During his 18 years at Farallon, he became a star hedge fund manager in Asia, where he spearheaded investments in Asian corporations, distinguishing himself by focusing on special situations and distressed assets. In 2017, Zage founded Tiga Investments, a Singapore-based investment firm, which has become the cornerstone of his wealth.
Key Business Strategies
Zage's investment strategy is characterized by a focus on "special situations," which involve complex deals with specific timing requirements. A significant achievement in his career was the acquisition of Grindr, the LGBTQ dating app, in 2020, which involved navigating regulatory challenges and has contributed significantly to his net worth. Zage has also invested in Indonesian and Australian companies.
Philanthropy
Zage has been active in philanthropic activities. He has served as the chair of the board of the foundation of the Singapore American School and has been involved with Room to Read.