ROELOF BOTHA
Managing Partner, Sequoia Capital
Background and current role
- Former PayPal CFO, part of the original PayPal Mafia
- Managing Partner at Sequoia Capital, one of the world’s most influential venture firms
- Based in the US, investing globally across tech and consumer internet
Notable deal
- Early investment and board role in Instagram — backed by Sequoia and later acquired by Meta (Facebook), a major win in his portfolio.
Core investment thesis and 2026 focus
- Backs companies that build enduring category leaders, not quick flips
- Strong belief in platform-scale businesses with pricing power
- 2026 lens: AI-native companies, vertical SaaS with embedded AI, cybersecurity, fintech infrastructure, healthcare tech
- Increasing focus on companies that combine software with real-world impact
Signature deals and portfolio highlights
- YouTube
- Square (Block)
- Unity
- Stripe
- Eventbrite
- Airbnb (Sequoia-wide involvement)
Net worth
Estimated net worth sits roughly between $240 million and $470 million+ as of late 2025, based on disclosed share holdings in companies like Natera, Block (Square) and MongoDB.
Primary sources of income
- Venture capital compensation at Sequoia Capital includes carried interest and management share of profits from successful investments.
- Equity holdings and board shares in public and private firms (e.g. Natera, Block, MongoDB), generating value through appreciation, dividends, and occasional sales.
- Past executive salary and equity from PayPal, where he was CFO during its IPO.
What he looks for in founders
He values founders who show clear thinking under pressure, bring deep product intuition instead of buzzword fluency, learn fast and change course without ego, and stay obsessed with solving the core problem over the long term rather than chasing valuation.
Decision-making style and risk appetite
Calm, analytical and data-driven in approach, he is willing to take bold risks when conviction is high. He prefers making fewer bets with deep involvement and is comfortable backing founders through long, messy journeys.
How he adds value beyond capital
He brings strategic clarity during scale and crisis moments, with strong guidance on unit economics and financial discipline, while giving founders access to Sequoia’s global network of operators and follow-on capital, and helping them think in decades rather than funding cycles.
Reputation in the ecosystem
He is known as a steady, founder-first partner, highly respected for his integrity and long-term thinking, and seen as one of the quiet power centres in global venture capital.
What should know before pitching
- Come prepared with clear numbers and sharp logic
- Be honest about risks; he spots spin instantly
- Show how your company can become a category-defining business by 2026 and beyond
- He values clarity more than charisma
