Peter Thiel

Peter Thiel, born October 11, 1967, co-founded PayPal in 1998, serving as its CEO until its sale to eBay in 2002. He played a pivotal role in the company's development of secure online payment systems. In 2004, Thiel founded Palantir Technologies, a firm specializing in big data analytics, which has been instrumental in counter-terrorism operations and data analysis for government agencies. A savvy investor, Thiel made the first outside investment in Facebook in 2004, securing a 10.2% stake for $500,000. His book, "Zero to One," published in 2014, offers insights into startups and innovation. Thiel's influence extends through his role in the Thiel Fellowship, which supports young entrepreneurs.