About Me

Many types of new technology would never have appeared without the assistance of venture capital firms such as Draper Investment Company. An essential element of the invention and company formation process, Draper Investment Company provides seed funding and aids in transforming ideas into real technology products or services. Draper Investment Company specializes in emerging companies in the information technology, software, or telecommunications fields. From its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, the venture capital firm monitors emerging trends in technology around the world, seeking entrepreneurs developing innovative, cutting-edge business models.

Founded in 2001 by Bill Draper, a member of the Dow Jones Venture Capital Hall of Fame, Draper Investment Company holds a number of promising, global enterprises in its portfolio. Such companies include C2Call GmbH, Dialcom Networks, Imagini Holdings Ltd., and plista GmbH. Potential recipients of Draper Investment Company funding undergo rigorous scrutiny to assess experience, integrity, energy level, creativity, and work ethic. The startups team must work together well and maintain its market position once established. Business models reflecting high gross margins and new advancements in the IT field receive preference. After investing in a company, Draper Investment Company remains proactive, advising and supporting management and providing additional networking and contacts.

A pioneer in the venture capital world, Bill Drapers father, General William H. Draper, Jr., opened one of the first such firms on the U.S. West Coast in 1958. A former Undersecretary of the U.S. Army, he was pivotal in carrying out the Marshall Plan, overseeing the economic reconstruction of Japan and Germany following World War II. Bill Draper started a number of venture capital firms before founding Draper Investment Company, such as Sutter Hill Ventures and Draper Richards, L.P. He also worked in the public service sector internationally before returning to the investment business, opening several companies including Draper Investment Company. A third generation of the Draper family, Bills son, Tim Draper, founded Draper Fisher Jurvetson in 1985, another early-stage venture capital firm that has achieved great success.

Draper Investment Companys Managing Director, Don Plaisted, served as a Senior Manager with the Enterprise Risk Services Group of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited as well as management duties at Northrop Grumman Corporation and personal entrepreneur endeavors. Since joining Draper Investment Company, he has funded companies in India, Europe, and Asia. As always, the criteria remain the same: exceptional entrepreneurs seeking early-stage funding for business models offering unique technology solutions for large, global markets.