Early Life
Walter Kortschak was born in Canada to an Austrian father and an American mother. He spent his childhood largely in Geneva, Switzerland, where his father worked for DuPont. Kortschak's international upbringing shaped his perspective and later influenced his investment strategies. Initially, he pursued a career in software engineering, earning degrees from Oregon State University and Caltech.
Rise to Success
Kortschak began his career in the computer graphics field, joining a startup in 1982. He later attended UCLA, where he was a Venture Fellow, gaining early experience in venture capital through an internship at Crosspoint Venture Partners. He joined Summit Partners in 1989, where he spent 26 years as an active partner, playing a key role in the firm's expansion and success. At Summit, he made significant investments, and he later founded Kortschak Investments in 2010. He served as Executive Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of SignalFire until 2023.
Key Business Strategies
Kortschak's investment philosophy is rooted in long-term value creation. He focuses on early-stage technology ventures, growth equity, and private equity. His career has spanned various sectors, including software, communications, and internet infrastructure. A key part of his approach involves disciplined management and technological foresight, seeking out innovative companies with high growth potential. He is known for identifying and nurturing promising startups, helping them navigate capital growth, acquisitions, and public listings.
Philanthropy
Beyond his investment work, Kortschak is actively involved in philanthropy. He and his wife, Marcia, founded the Kortschak Family Foundation in 2002. They established the Kortschak Scholars Program for Ph.D. students in computer science at Caltech and the USC Kortschak Center for Learning and Creativity. They also endowed the Division Chair in Film and Television Production at USC Cinematic Arts.
