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About
David Sze is a prominent Chinese-American venture capitalist, entrepreneur, and general/managing partner at Greylock Partners, a leading venture capital firm based in Silicon Valley. Born in 1961 in Oakland, California, to Chinese immigrant parents, Sze grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and developed an early interest in technology and business. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Stanford University in 1983 and later obtained a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School in 1987. Before joining Greylock in 1993, Sze worked at Morgan Stanley in investment banking and at Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers as an associate, gaining experience in tech investments during the early internet boom.
At Greylock Partners, Sze has been instrumental in shaping the firm's portfolio, leading investments in transformative technology companies that have become industry giants. Notable successes include early-stage investments in Facebook (now Meta Platforms), where Greylock participated in the 2006 Series C round; LinkedIn, acquired by Microsoft in 2016; and Palo Alto Networks, a cybersecurity leader co-founded by Nir Zuk, in whom Sze has a direct financial investment relationship. His focus on enterprise software, social media, and cybersecurity has earned him recognition as a key influencer in Silicon Valley's venture ecosystem. Sze also serves on the Northern Lights Venture Capital Board of Advisors and oversees Greylock's investments in related funds, contributing to the firm's strategy in emerging technologies.
Sze maintains a relatively low public profile compared to other VCs, emphasizing mentorship and long-term value creation over personal branding. He is involved in philanthropy, supporting education and Asian-American initiatives, though details remain limited. With decades of experience, Sze continues to play a pivotal role in funding the next generation of tech innovators, solidifying his status as a cornerstone of the American venture capital landscape.