Jim Breyer

$3.23 B

Ranked #1275 in World

About Jim Breyer

James W. Breyer, an American venture capitalist, founder and CEO of Breyer Capital, and a key figure in technology investments, has been pivotal in guiding over 40 companies through public offerings or mergers. Born to Hungarian immigrants in 1961, Breyer's academic excellence is marked by degrees from Stanford and Harvard, supplementing his early tech experiences at Hewlett-Packard and Apple. With a significant hand in tech giants such as Facebook and Spotify, and ranked #389 with a $2.9 billion net worth as per Forbes 2021, his global investment footprint extends to China and India. Breyer's personal life included a marriage to Angela Chao, illustrating a synergy of influential families.

Born

July 26, 1961 in New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.

Age

64 years

Source Of Wealth

Venture Capital

Industries

Finance & Investments

Citizenship

United States

Residence

Austin, Texas

Education

Master of Business Administration, Harvard Business School; Bachelor of Arts/Science, Stanford University

Spouse

Susan Z. Breyer (Divorced: 2004), Angela Chao (Married: 2012; died 2024)

Children

James W. Breyer was born in 1961 in New Haven, Connecticut. The son of Hungarian immigrants, Breyer grew up in a family that valued education and hard work. He excelled academically and showed an early interest in business and technology.

Jim Breyer: Family

Breyer has been married twice. His first marriage was to Susan Zaroff, with whom he had three children: Emily, Daniel, and Theodore (Ted). Daniel and Ted are partners at Breyer Capital and co-founders of Breyer Labs. After his divorce from Zaroff, Breyer married Angela Chao, CEO of Foremost Group and sister of Elaine Chao. They had one son together. Angela Chao passed away in February 2024.

Jim Breyer: Career Highlights

Breyer's career in venture capital began in 1987 when he joined Accel Partners. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a partner in 1990 and managing partner in 1995. During his time at Accel, Breyer led several successful investments, including Facebook, Etsy, and Clinkle.

In 2006, Breyer founded Breyer Capital, a venture capital firm focused on providing capital to high-impact social and for-profit entrepreneurs. Breyer Capital has invested in companies such as Brightcove, Marvel Entertainment, and Legendary Pictures.

Jim Breyer: Companies

Breyer has been involved with numerous companies throughout his career, including:

Accel Partners
Breyer Capital
Facebook
Etsy
Clinkle
Brightcove
Marvel Entertainment
Legendary Pictures

Jim Breyer: Major Achievements

Breyer has achieved significant success in the venture capital industry. He has been recognized for his investment acumen and his ability to identify and support promising startups. Some of his major achievements include:

Leading Accel Partners' $12.7 million investment in Facebook in 2005
Establishing Accel-KKR, a joint venture between Accel Partners and KKR, in 2000
Leading the 2004 management buyout of BBN Technologies from Verizon
Founding Breyer Capital in 2006
Participating in investments including Harvard's Experiment Fund, Brightcove, Marvel Entertainment, and Legendary Pictures

Jim Breyer: Awards & Achievements

Breyer has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the venture capital industry.

Some of his awards include:

Named one of the 10 smartest people in technology by Fortune in August 2010
Ranked number one on the Forbes Midas List of Tech's Top Investors for three consecutive years, from 2011 to 2013
Received the Silicon Valley Forum's Visionary Award in 2012
Named to the Vanity Fair New Establishment Hall of Fame in 2012
Given a Lifetime Achievement Award by Venture Capital Journal in 2014
Received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement in 2014

Jim Breyer: Personal Life & Legacy

Breyer is known for his philanthropy and his commitment to education. He has donated millions of dollars to various educational institutions and organizations, including Stanford University, Harvard University, and the Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management. Breyer is also a strong advocate for immigration reform and education improvements.

Jim Breyer: Trivia

Breyer is an avid art collector and has a collection of over 1,000 pieces of art.
He is a licensed pilot and enjoys flying planes.
Breyer is a fan of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots.
He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Breyer is a trustee of the Brookings Institution.

Wealth History

Timeline

1961

James W. Breyer is born in New Haven, Connecticut.

1983

Breyer receives a B.S. with Distinction in Interdisciplinary Studies from Stanford University.

1987

Breyer receives an MBA from Harvard University, where he is named a Baker Scholar.

1987

Breyer joins Accel Partners, mentored by founders Arthur Patterson and Jim Swartz.

1990

Breyer is named partner at Accel Partners.

1995

Breyer is named managing partner at Accel Partners.

2000

Breyer establishes Accel-KKR, a joint venture between Accel Partners and KKR.

2004

Breyer leads the management buyout of BBN Technologies from Verizon.

2005

Breyer leads Accel Partners' $12.7 million investment in Facebook.

2005

Breyer helps establish a joint venture between Accel Partners and China-based IDG Capital Partners.

2006

Breyer founds Breyer Capital, focused on providing capital to high-impact social and for-profit entrepreneurs.

2010

Breyer is named one of the 10 smartest people in technology by Fortune.

2011-2013

Breyer is ranked number one on the Forbes Midas List of Tech's Top Investors for three consecutive years.

2012

Breyer receives the Silicon Valley Forum's Visionary Award.

2012

Breyer is named to the Vanity Fair New Establishment Hall of Fame.

2013

Breyer is elected a fellow of the Harvard Corporation.

2013

Breyer co-founds FWD.us, a lobbying group aimed at immigration reform and improvements to education.

2014

Breyer receives a Lifetime Achievement Award by Venture Capital Journal.

2014

Breyer receives the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.

2016

Breyer joins the board of The Blackstone Group.

2019

Breyer helps found the Stanford HAI program.

2020

Breyer establishes a second office for Breyer Capital in Austin, Texas.

2024

Breyer's wife, Angela Chao, passes away.

Jim Breyer : FAQs

What is Jim Breyer's current net worth?

Jim Breyer's current net worth is $3.23 billion.

What is Jim Breyer's current global rank among billionaires?

Jim Breyer holds the 1275th position globally among billionaires.

What is Jim Breyer's current ranking within the United States?

Jim Breyer holds the 462nd position in United States.

What was the change in Jim Breyer's net worth compared to the previous year?

Jim Breyer's net worth increased by 123.24 million dollars compared to the previous year 2025, when his net worth was 3.11 billion dollars.

What are Jim Breyer's main sources of wealth?

Jim Breyer's main source of income comes from Venture Capital.

In which industry does Jim Breyer primarily operate?

Jim Breyer is primarily involved in the Finance & Investments industry.

What is Jim Breyer educational background?

Jim Breyer holds a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Arts/Science from Stanford University.

How old is Jim Breyer?

Jim Breyer is 64 years old.

How many children does Jim Breyer have?

Jim Breyer has 4 children.

Who is James W. Breyer and what is he known for?

James W. Breyer is an American venture capitalist, the founder and CEO of Breyer Capital, and a former managing partner at Accel Partners. He is notable for investing in over 40 companies that went public or completed a merger and was ranked #389 on the Forbes 2021 list of the 400 richest Americans with a net worth of US$2.9 billion.

What distinguished honors did James W. Breyer receive from his alma maters?

James W. Breyer graduated with Distinction in Interdisciplinary Studies from Stanford University and received an MBA from Harvard University, where he was named a Baker Scholar.

Can you outline James W. Breyer's notable early investments and their outcomes?

James W. Breyer led Accel Partners' $12.7 million investment in Facebook in 2005 and established Accel-KKR. He also led the management buyout of BBN Technologies and made several successful Series A investments, including in firms like Etsy and Spotify.

How has James W. Breyer contributed to investment ventures in China?

James W. Breyer helped establish a joint venture between Accel Partners and China-based IDG Capital Partners in 2005 and continues to invest in China through Breyer Capital and partnerships with IDG. He is also a member of the advisory board of the Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management in Beijing.

What are some of the achievements and awards received by James W. Breyer?

James W. Breyer was named one of the 10 smartest people in technology by Fortune in 2010, topped the Forbes Midas List for three consecutive years from 2011 to 2013, and received awards such as the Silicon Valley Forum's Visionary Award and the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.