Jeff Skoll

Private Investment Firm California, United States ·Founded 1999

Overview

Jeff Skoll is a Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist who has dedicated his career to fostering social change through strategic investments. As the first president of eBay, he utilized his wealth to establish the Skoll Foundation in 1999, aiming to catalyze transformational social change by investing in social entrepreneurs and innovators. The foundation's mission is to advance bold and equitable solutions to the world's most pressing problems. In addition to his philanthropic endeavors, Skoll founded Capricorn Investment Group, a private investment firm that focuses on socially responsible investing. The firm manages a diverse portfolio across various asset classes, including private equity and venture capital, with investments spanning multiple stages from seed to pre-IPO. Capricorn's geographical focus includes regions such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and several others, reflecting a global approach to impact investing. Skoll's commitment to social impact extends to the media industry through his former company, Participant Media, which he founded in 2004. The company produced films and television series aimed at inspiring social change, including critically acclaimed works like 'An Inconvenient Truth' and 'Spotlight.' In 2024, Skoll announced the closure of Participant Media after two decades of operation, citing challenges in content creation and distribution. Despite this, his legacy in promoting social change through media continues to influence the industry. Skoll holds a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Toronto and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He has been recognized with several honors, including the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy in 2017 and an appointment as an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2012. His work exemplifies a commitment to leveraging entrepreneurial success for the greater good, aiming to create a sustainable world of peace and prosperity for all.

Investment Focus

  • Social impact focus
  • Innovative solutions
  • Scalable business models
  • Strong management teams
  • Global reach potential

Portfolio Companies

TeslaJoby AviationQuantumScapeParticipant Media

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Frequently asked questions about Jeff Skoll

What sectors does Jeff Skoll invest in?

Jeff Skoll invests in Financial Services, Technology, Healthcare, Energy, Consumer Goods and Real Estate, and is based in California, United States. Jeff Skoll is listed as a private investment firm in the ConnectSafely investor database.

What stage does Jeff Skoll invest at?

Jeff Skoll backs companies at Seed, Early Stage, Growth, Late Stage, Pre-IPO and Buyout, writing cheques of 1M - 50M.

Which regions does Jeff Skoll invest in?

Jeff Skoll invests across United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Japan and Australia.

What companies has Jeff Skoll invested in?

Jeff Skoll's portfolio includes Tesla, Joby Aviation, QuantumScape and Participant Media.

Last updated · Source: ConnectSafely investor database