Ken Howery

Ken Howery is an American venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and former diplomat. He is best known as a co-founder of the online payment company PayPal and a founding partner of the venture capital firm Founders Fund. Howery later served as the United States Ambassador to Sweden from 2019 to 2021, appointed by President Donald Trump.

Early life and education

Ken Howery was born in 1977 in San Francisco, California. He pursued his higher education at Stanford University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Policy. During his time at Stanford, he developed an interest in technology and entrepreneurship, which would later shape his career path. His academic background provided a foundation for his future roles in both the private sector and public service.

Career

Howery's professional career began in earnest after his graduation from Stanford University. In 1998, he co-founded Confinity with Max Levchin and Peter Thiel, a company initially focused on developing security software for handheld devices. The company soon pivoted to a digital wallet service, which merged with Elon Musk's online bank X.com in 2000 to form the entity that would become PayPal. Howery served as the company's first chief financial officer, playing a critical role during its rapid growth and its landmark initial public offering in 2002, followed by its acquisition by eBay later that year. After leaving PayPal, Howery became a founding partner at Founders Fund, a San Francisco-based venture capital firm established in 2005 by several PayPal alumni, including Peter Thiel. At Founders Fund, he focused on investing in transformative technology companies across sectors such as aerospace, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence.

PayPal Mafia

Ken Howery is a prominent member of the so-called "PayPal Mafia," the influential network of former PayPal employees and founders who have since founded and funded numerous successful technology companies. This group includes figures like Peter Thiel, Reid Hoffman, Max Levchin, and Elon Musk. The collective influence of the PayPal Mafia on the Silicon Valley ecosystem is profound, with its members having been instrumental in the creation of companies such as LinkedIn, YouTube, Palantir Technologies, and Tesla. Howery's role as a co-founder and early executive at PayPal, coupled with his subsequent venture capital work at Founders Fund, solidified his position as a key connector and investor within this powerful network.

Government service

In 2019, Howery transitioned to public service when President Donald Trump nominated him to serve as the United States Ambassador to Sweden. The United States Senate confirmed his appointment, and he presented his credentials to King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden in October 2019. As Ambassador, Howery's portfolio focused on strengthening bilateral ties between the United States and Sweden, with an emphasis on trade, security cooperation, and shared democratic values. His tenure included navigating complex issues such as 5G telecommunications security and the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He served in this diplomatic post until the conclusion of the Trump administration in January 2021.

Personal life

Howery maintains a relatively private personal life. He is known to be an avid supporter of philanthropic causes, particularly those related to education and technological innovation. His success with PayPal and Founders Fund has placed him among the wealthiest figures in Silicon Valley. Howery continues to be active in the venture capital and technology sectors, leveraging his extensive experience from both entrepreneurship and government service. Category:1977 births Category:Living people Category:American venture capitalists Category:PayPal people Category:United States ambassadors to Sweden Category:Stanford University alumni