Yuri Milner is a prominent figure in the global technology investment landscape, having founded DST Global, which made early and impactful investments in companies like Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, and Alibaba.
Originally trained as a physicist, Milner transitioned into business, becoming a key player in shaping the internet economy.
Beyond his investment prowess, he is a significant philanthropist, co-founding the Breakthrough Prizes to recognize achievements in fundamental science.
Yuri Milner's wealth is primarily derived from his strategic early investments in leading technology companies globally through his venture capital firm, DST Global. His portfolio has included significant stakes in social media, e-commerce, and ride-sharing platforms.
Yuri Milner was born in Moscow, Soviet Union, in 1961. His father was a professor who authored a book on American management, and his mother worked for a state-run laboratory.
He pursued higher education at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, where he earned a Ph.D. in theoretical physics in 1985. His early career involved working at the Lebedev Physical Institute.
Milner later moved to the United States, where he became one of the first non-emigre Russians to earn an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1990.
After his MBA, Milner worked at the World Bank in Washington, D.C., focusing on banking sector development in Russia. He returned to Russia in the mid-1990s and began his entrepreneurial journey.
He served as CEO of Alliance-Menatep, a brokerage firm, and later as CEO of NetBridge, an internet company that mirrored successful U.S. internet businesses in Russia.
In 2001, NetBridge merged with Port.ru to form Mail.ru, which under Milner's leadership, grew into one of Russia's largest internet companies. This venture laid the foundation for his future success.
His true breakthrough came with the founding of Digital Sky Technologies (DST) in 2005. DST initially focused on Russian internet assets but quickly expanded its scope globally.
DST Global, the international investment arm, made a series of highly successful early-stage investments in global tech giants. Notably, in 2009, DST invested $200 million in Facebook for a 1.96% stake, a move that significantly amplified Milner's fortune.
Subsequent investments included Twitter, Spotify, Airbnb, Alibaba, and Xiaomi, solidifying DST Global's reputation as a shrewd and prescient tech investor. These strategic bets on future market leaders were instrumental in scaling his wealth.
DST Global: A leading venture capital firm focused on late-stage private investments in internet and technology companies globally. It has invested in some of the world's most successful tech firms.
Significant stakes in various private technology companies through DST Global's portfolio.
Real estate holdings, including a notable estate in Silicon Valley.
Facebook (now Meta Platforms)
Twitter (now X)
Spotify
Airbnb
Alibaba
Xiaomi
Zynga
Yuri Milner and his wife, Julia, are prominent philanthropists, most notably through the Breakthrough Foundation. They co-founded the Breakthrough Prizes, often referred to as the 'Oscars of Science,' which award significant sums to top researchers in fundamental physics, life sciences, and mathematics.
Their philanthropic efforts also extend to the Breakthrough Junior Challenge, an annual global science video competition for students, and Breakthrough Starshot, a research and engineering project aiming to develop a fleet of light-driven nanocraft for interstellar travel.
Milner maintains a relatively private personal life despite his public profile, residing in a substantial estate in Silicon Valley, California.
Milner's influence stems primarily from his role as a major capital provider in the global technology sector, giving him significant sway over the development and direction of numerous influential companies.
He has publicly stated his decision to leave Russia and renounce his Russian citizenship, emphasizing his Israeli citizenship and his family's long-standing ties to Israel. This move was a clear distancing from the Russian political landscape.
His philanthropic initiatives, particularly the Breakthrough Prizes, also grant him considerable influence in the scientific community, fostering research and recognizing leading minds globally.
Yuri Milner's legacy is poised to be multifaceted: as a visionary tech investor who identified and fueled the growth of some of the most impactful internet companies of the 21st century, and as a dedicated philanthropist committed to advancing fundamental science and inspiring future generations.
His long-term vision includes pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery and human exploration, particularly through projects like Breakthrough Starshot, which aims to make interstellar travel a reality.
He seeks to leave a lasting mark not just through financial success but through significant contributions to human knowledge and progress.