Episode 13: Tim Draper - Founder of Draper Fisher Jurvetson

This week, I had the privilege of sitting down with Tim Draper, a legendary venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and advocate for innovation and freedom. As the founder of Draper Fisher Jurvetson (DFJ), Draper Associates, and Draper University, Tim has played a pivotal role in shaping the startup ecosystem, backing companies like Tesla, SpaceX, Baidu, Coinbase, Robinhood, Skype, and Twitch.

Coming from a long line of investors—his grandfather was the first venture capitalist in Silicon Valley—Tim has spent decades pushing boundaries in finance, technology, and education. He was an early advocate for Bitcoin, making headlines in 2014 when he purchased 29,656 BTC in a U.S. Marshals auction.

Beyond investing, Tim has championed entrepreneurial education through Draper University, where he helps young founders develop real-world skills. He is also known for his bold ideas, including his controversial proposal to split California into multiple states, and his strong views on decentralization and the future of innovation.

In our conversation, we dive into his upbringing, how he built his venture capital empire, and the big bets he believes will shape the future. Tim shares his insights on Bitcoin, AI, and investing in transformative technologies, as well as his advice for young entrepreneurs looking to break into the world of business and venture capital.

This episode is packed with incredible stories, valuable lessons, and bold ideas—I hope you enjoy it!