HISTORY

The name "Draper" is synonymous with Venture Capital. There are now four generations of Draper VCs.

General William H. Draper was the first Silicon Valley venture capitalist in 1957, William Draper was a great pioneer in venture capital with Sutter Hill Ventures, Tim Draper started Draper Associates in 1985, and three of Tim's children - Jesse, Adam, and Billy - started Halogen Ventures, Boost VC, and Path Ventures.

Draper Associates has become a leader in early-stage venture capital having funded companies including Hotmail, Skype, Baidu, Tesla, SpaceX, Twitch, Cruise, Carta, Webflow, Robinhood, and Coinbase. Draper Associates continues to innovate in providing capital to technology companies of all sizes and all geographies.

The firm is well known for being entrepreneur friendly, and supporting entrepreneurs through thick and thin, and for the long haul.

The Draper Associates team is based in Silicon Valley and invests in companies around the world.

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1985

Draper Associates is founded

In 1985, Tim borrowed $6M from the US Small Business Administration’s SBIC program to invest in private technology companies. Five of those companies went public, including PTC the most valuable software company in New England.

1991

Draper Associates grows to Draper Fisher Jurvetson (DFJ)

In 1991, John Fisher joined Draper Associates, and by 1995 Tim and John changed the name to Draper Fisher Associates. In 1994, Steve Jurvetson joined the team, and in 1997, the firm came to be known as Draper Fisher Jurvetson (DFJ). The team would go on to invest in category defining companies such as Tesla, SpaceX, Skype, Baidu, Hotmail and many others.

1999

DFJ ePlanet is the first global VC fund out of Silicon Valley

In 1999, DFJ ePlanet fund is raised, and becomes the first global VC fund raised by a Silicon Valley firm. DFJ ePlanet would deliver big wins such as Baidu and Skype.

2008

Draper Associates is relaunched

In 2008, Tim relaunched the original Draper Associates to make angel investments in technology startups. Tim Draper, Andy Tang, and Billy Draper invest in big winners such as Twitch, Thumbtack, DocuSign, Cruise Automation, Carta, Robinhood and many others.

2015

Draper Associates opens to outside LPs for the first time

In 2015, Draper Associates is opened to outside Limited Partners for the first time with the launch of flagship early-stage fund: Draper Associates 5. Recent winners include companies like Coinbase, Oklo, Arkham, Webflow, Iceye, Colossal, and more.

2025

Draper Associates celebrates 40-years of pioneering venture capital with its eye on the next 40 years.

In 2025, Draper Associates celebrated 40-years of pioneering venture capital and spreading entrepreneurship around the world. With the launch of Draper Associates Fund 8, the team has its eye on the next 40 years.

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