David Cheriton's Biography

David Cheriton is a Canadian computer scientist, Stanford University professor, and renowned billionaire investor. Born on March 29, 1951, Cheriton has made a remarkable impact on the technology industry through both his academic contributions and strategic investments. He is best known for his early investment in Google, which transformed his life and significantly shaped the tech landscape. Cheriton's expertise in distributed computing and networking led to the co-founding of several successful startups, including Granite Systems, which was acquired by Cisco, and Arista Networks, a leader in cloud networking solutions. Despite his immense wealth, Cheriton is noted for his frugality, famously driving an old Honda and living modestly. He is recognized for his dedication to teaching and research at Stanford, where he has mentored many successful entrepreneurs and innovators. Cheriton's influence extends beyond academia, as his investments and guidance have helped launch some of Silicon Valley’s most important companies. With an estimated net worth of $11.8 billion in 2024, David Cheriton continues to inspire through his commitment to innovation, education, and understated living.