Billionaire Profile

Global Rank

#1073

Image: Public domain | via Wikimedia Commons

Kavitark Ram Shriram

CEO, Alphabet Inc. (Google)

Real-Time Net Worth

$3.7B

As of December 2025

Age

Source

Google, venture capital

Industry

technology

Citizenship

Biography

Kavitark Ram Shriram, a highly successful figure in the tech industry, is a founding board member and early investor in Google. Born in India and educated at the University of Madras, Shriram's career began in the 1990s at Netscape. He later became President of Junglee, which was acquired by Amazon. His early $250,000 investment in Google was pivotal, and he has since invested in numerous technology startups through his venture capital firm, Sherpalo Ventures. As of 2024, his net worth is estimated at $3.7 Billion, with wealth primarily sourced from his Google investment and venture capital activities. Shriram is also known for his philanthropy, particularly his contributions to Stanford University.

Wealth Over Time

Portfolio Holdings

Alphabet Inc. (Google)

Mountain View, California

183,320 employees

Founded 1998

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

Kavitark Ram Shriram was born in Chennai, India, in the mid-1950s. He earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from the University of Madras. He immigrated to the United States in the 1980s.

Rise to Success

Shriram's career began in the tech industry with Bell-Northern Research. In 1994, he joined Netscape as a vice president. Later, he served as the president of Junglee, an online comparison shopping firm. Amazon acquired Junglee in 1998. Shriram then joined Amazon as a vice president. In 1998, Shriram made a crucial investment in the early stages of Google, providing $250,000 to the then-startup, solidifying his position as a founding board member.

Key Business Strategies

Shriram's strategy has been to identify and invest in promising early-stage technology companies. Through Sherpalo Ventures, founded in 2000, he has invested in a variety of tech startups. His ability to recognize potential in emerging technologies and provide strategic guidance to entrepreneurs has been central to his success.

Philanthropy

Shriram and his wife, Vijay, have established the Dhanam Foundation, which supports academically gifted students in India, the United States, and Africa. A significant contribution includes a $61 million donation to Stanford University for the Shriram Center for Bioengineering and Chemical Engineering, underscoring his commitment to education and technological advancement.

Career Milestones

1994

Vice President of Netscape

Joined Netscape as a Vice President, playing a key role in the early days of the internet.

1998

President of Junglee

Served as President of Junglee, which was acquired by Amazon.

1998

Early Investor in Google

Invested $250,000 in Google, becoming a founding board member.

2000

Founded Sherpalo Ventures

Founded Sherpalo Ventures, a venture capital firm.

2020

Ellis Island Medal of Honor

Awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for his contributions.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Education

Dhanam Foundation

Undisclosed

Supports academically gifted students.