Yuri Milner
Yuri Milner
Full Name and Common Aliases
Yuri Milner is a Russian-born Israeli entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and philanthropist.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on December 1961, no death date specified.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Russian-born Israeli, Entrepreneur, Venture Capitalist, Philanthropist
Early Life and Background
Yuri Milner was born in Moscow, Russia. He earned his Master's degree from the Moscow State University in Physics and Mathematics. After completing his education, he moved to Israel where he began his career as an entrepreneur.
In 1990, Milner co-founded a technology firm that would later become one of the first internet service providers in Israel. This early success laid the foundation for his future endeavors in venture capital and philanthropy.
Major Accomplishments
Milner's entrepreneurial journey led him to found New Enterprise Associates (NEA) in 2003, where he served as a General Partner until 2011. During this time, he invested in numerous startups that would go on to become industry leaders.
In 2010, Milner co-founded Breakthrough Prize Foundation with his wife Anna Kamenetskaya and Sergey Brin, the co-founder of Google. The foundation's mission is to recognize excellence in basic science and advance its understanding for the benefit of humanity.
Notable Works or Actions
Milner has been a vocal advocate for investment in scientific research. He believes that breakthroughs in science have the potential to solve some of the world's most pressing problems, such as climate change, disease, and poverty.
In 2012, Milner donated $3 million to the Breakthrough Prize in Physics, which is awarded annually to scientists who have made significant contributions to their field. He has also supported initiatives like the Kavli Foundation's Frontiers of Science symposium, which brings together leading thinkers from various disciplines to discuss emerging ideas.
Impact and Legacy
Yuri Milner's impact on the scientific community extends far beyond his philanthropic efforts. His investments in startups have helped shape the tech industry, driving innovation and growth.
Through Breakthrough Prize Foundation, he has created a platform for scientists to receive recognition and support. This has fostered collaboration among researchers, accelerating progress in fields like medicine, astronomy, and physics.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Yuri Milner is widely quoted due to his influential views on the intersection of science and technology. His advocacy for investment in basic research resonates with people from diverse backgrounds, inspiring others to support scientific endeavors.
His commitment to recognizing excellence in science has created a culture of innovation and collaboration. By promoting breakthroughs that can improve human lives, Milner continues to leave an indelible mark on the world.
This brief biography offers a glimpse into Yuri Milner's remarkable life as a visionary entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and philanthropist. His tireless efforts have not only transformed industries but also inspired future generations of scientists and innovators.
Quotes by Yuri Milner
It's not about revenues: The fundamental economics in digital business is scale and margins. The top line has become the bottom line.
I think top scientists need to be compensated at a different scale in society. Somebody with experience will tell you that true scientists are not motivated by money – they are motivated by the quest itself. That is true. But I think an additional recognition will not hurt.
I have invested in four social networks. More than any other. But that’s in Russia and Poland.
I have this ratio that if you divide age of entrepreneur by market cap of company. For Facebook it’s one. Every year of his life Zuckerberg has been making $1 billion for investors.
Facebook is at the forefront. It’s the company that can fundamentally change the way information is being exchanged and processed. It can be the basis for artificial intelligence to develop over time.
The largest newspaper in the United States is only reaching 1 percent of population. We are kind of assuming that ‘Wall Street Journal,’ ‘USA Today,’ and other newspapers are very important. Yes, they’re extremely important, but only to 1 percent of the population on a daily basis.