Early Life and Education
James W. Breyer was born in 1961 in New Haven, Connecticut, to Hungarian immigrants. He received a B.S. with Distinction in Interdisciplinary Studies from Stanford University in 1983 and an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he was named a Baker Scholar. His early interest in technology led him to part-time positions at Hewlett-Packard and Apple Inc. during college.
Rise to Success
Breyer's venture capital career began in 1987 when he joined Accel Partners. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a partner in 1990 and managing partner in 1995. During his time at Accel, he led investments in over 40 companies that went public or completed mergers. A pivotal moment in Breyer's career was his 2005 investment in Facebook, which generated returns exceeding 100 times the initial cost. In 2006, Breyer founded Breyer Capital, a global equity investor focused on catalyzing high-impact entrepreneurs.
Key Business Strategies
Breyer's investment strategy focuses on identifying and supporting promising startups, particularly in the technology sector. His ability to move across various social circles and his focus on the people behind the products have contributed to his success. Breyer Capital invests in various sectors, including social media, artificial intelligence, digital health, and financial technologies.
Philanthropy
Breyer is involved in venture philanthropy initiatives, supporting education and the arts. He is a trustee of the American Film Institute and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
