I’m doing a school research project on tech billionaires for a class, and I have a question. It seems like most successful tech entrepreneurs were into tech or coding from a young age, but I’m curious—are there any who were just regular kids growing up? Maybe ones who weren’t coding at 10 or didn’t grow up as ‘geeks’ but still made it big in tech? I’m looking for examples of people who might have been considered ‘cool’ or ‘normal’ as kids and still became successful in the tech world. Are there any exceptions to the stereotype of the ‘tech geek’?
Are There Any Tech Billionaires Who Weren't 'Nerds' Growing Up?
1–10 of 18 posts
Re: Are There Any Tech Billionaires Who Weren't 'Nerds' Growing Up?
#2Larry Ellison.
Re: Are There Any Tech Billionaires Who Weren't 'Nerds' Growing Up?
#3Steve Ballmer
Re: Are There Any Tech Billionaires Who Weren't 'Nerds' Growing Up?
#4I find this a more fun question than I would expect.
It would be like being surprised that a famous athlete was into athletics as a kid. It seems somewhat expected?
That said, I can't help but find myself trying to think of counter examples. To both the successful athlete and the tech person. :D
Re: Are There Any Tech Billionaires Who Weren't 'Nerds' Growing Up?
#5look at the story of Evan Spiegel, Snapchat. Also his mentor, Scott Cook.
Re: Are There Any Tech Billionaires Who Weren't 'Nerds' Growing Up?
#6Not sure if 'strong passion / entrepeneurial drive' would be considered "normal" but:
Jack Dorsey; Richard Branson; Evan Williams
Depends on how 'tech/coding'nerd defined: Michael Dell; Jan Koum; Mark Zuckerberg
Re: Are There Any Tech Billionaires Who Weren't 'Nerds' Growing Up?
#7I would suspect the best (proto) coders end up being employed by the (proto) business people. Internal vs external interests, Woz vs Steve.
The money and the status-in-field really differ, though.
Re: Are There Any Tech Billionaires Who Weren't 'Nerds' Growing Up?
#8John McAfee was probably as far away from a nerd as you can get? I could be wrong.
Re: Are There Any Tech Billionaires Who Weren't 'Nerds' Growing Up?
#9Jeff Bezos ? I believe he worked in finance and saw an opportunity selling books online.
Re: Are There Any Tech Billionaires Who Weren't 'Nerds' Growing Up?
#10I find this a more fun question than I would expect. It would be like being surprised that a famous athlete was into athletics as a kid. It seems somewhat expected? That said, I can't help but find myself trying to think of counter examples. To both the successful athlete and the tech person. :D
The Venn Diagram of jocks and nerds in high school has as intersection the null set.