Billion Dollar Moves™ with Sarah Chen-Spellings | Global Venture Capital The Purpose-Driven Power Player Behind Silicon Valley’s Quiet Money w/ Mike Anders, ICONIQ
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Jul 24, 2025 In a captivating dialogue, Mike Anders, Partner at ICONIQ, shares his journey from Wall Street to shaping tech's financial landscape. He discusses his activist roots and the drive behind building a purpose-led investment firm managing over $80B. Mike reveals insights on ICONIQ’s successful investments in AI and data centers, emphasizing the importance of collaborative philanthropy. He discusses adapting to market shifts while maintaining enduring values, all while offering a glimpse into the evolving role of wealth stewardship in today’s world.
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Formative Years Shaped By Service
- Mike Anders grew up with activist, academic parents and early exposure to public service that shaped his values.
- A summer in Congressman Jack Reed's office and advice to "start outside politics" sent him toward Wall Street first.
Early Philanthropy Startup That Flopped
- Mike founded a firm building donor-advised fund products for banks but it failed to scale because brokers wouldn't sell low-fee philanthropy.
- The company signed big banks but was sold cheaply after advisors prioritized higher-paying products.
The Coffee That Started Iconiq
- A 2005 coffee with Divesh Makan became the origin story of Iconiq and a long-term partnership.
- They decided to be "the best caddy" to top founders and build a community that informs their investment view.