John Doerr
InvestorFounderChairman at Kleiner Perkins · Lifetime Director at NewSchools Venture Fund · Board director at Watershed Technology · Board Director (Kleiner Perkins) at Shyp · Board director at Coursera
Menlo Park, CA
Writes $100K – $25M checks · typically $10M
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About
John Doerr joined Kleiner Perkins in 1980 after selling chips at Intel and went on to back Google, Amazon, Netscape, and Sun Microsystems. He brought Andy Grove's OKR goal-setting system to Google and turned it into the management bestseller Measure What Matters. Now the firm's chairman, he devotes much of his time to climate technology and funded Stanford's school of sustainability.
Invests in
CleantechClimate Tech
Beyond investing
- Founded
- Doerr co-founded FWD.us, a lobbying group focused on immigration reform, education, and scientific research, along with Mark Zuckerberg and Reid Hoffman. Doerr co-founded TechNet, a policy network of high-tech CEOs advocating education and litigation reform.
- Education
- Studied at Rice University (BS, electrical engineering) Studied at Harvard Business School (MBA, 1976) Studied at Chaminade College Preparatory School
- Boards
- Doerr co-founded and serves on the board of the New Schools Venture Fund, an education reform and charter public schools fund. Doerr serves on the board of Bono's ONE campaign to fight global poverty. Doerr serves on the board of the Obama Foundation. Doerr is a member of the Global Advisory Board of Khan Academy.
- Charities
- Works with social entrepreneurs tackling systemic issues in climate, public health, and education. Doerr and his wife Ann signed the Giving Pledge in August 2010. Doerr and his wife Ann donated $1.1 billion to Stanford University in 2022 to establish the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability.
- Communities
- Doerr was appointed a member of the President's Economic Recovery Advisory Board in February 2009 by President Barack Obama.
- Awards
- Doerr was named a Distinguished Alumnus of Rice University in 1997 for his accomplishments in business. Doerr was named a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences in 2009. Doerr was inducted into the California Hall of Fame in 2010. Doerr received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement in 2019. Doerr was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering in 2026.
- Family
- Doerr is married to Ann Howland Doerr and they live in Woodside, California with their two children.
- More
- Wrote the bestselling book Measure What Matters. Co-authored Speed and Scale: An Action Plan for Solving Our Climate Crisis Now. Was a pioneer of Silicon Valley's cleantech movement, investing in zero-emissions technologies since 2006.
From John's own website — common ground for a warm intro.
Board director at Watershed Technology
Intro paths
In turn, John can intro founders to Watershed Technology's investors below.
Watershed Technology's investors · 4
Co-founders at Watershed Technology
Board Director (Kleiner Perkins) at Shyp
Intro paths
In turn, John can intro founders to Shyp's investors below.
Shyp's investors · 3
Co-founders at Shyp
Board director at Coursera
Intro paths
In turn, John can intro founders to Coursera's investors below.
Coursera's investors · 16
Co-founders at Coursera
Experience
- Kleiner PerkinsPartnercurrent1980 — present
Skills & more
From John's professional profile.
Deals · 9
ASAPPBoard seat
via Kleiner Perkins · filed May 2026 · $24.1M raise
Watershed TechnologyBoard seat
via Kleiner Perkins · filed Jan 2026 · $14.5M raise
Cardinal AnalytxBoard seat
via Kleiner Perkins · filed Dec 2022 · $11.2M raise
RenmatixBoard seat
via Kleiner Perkins · filed Apr 2020 · $48.6M raise
AmyrisBoard seat
via Kleiner Perkins · filed Feb 2016 · $20M raise
TradesyBoard seat
via Kleiner Perkins · filed Sep 2015
CourseraBoard seat
via Kleiner Perkins · filed Sep 2015 · $62.6M raise
ShypBoard seat
via Kleiner Perkins · filed Apr 2015 · $50.7M raise
Commonwealth Fusion SystemsQuoted
via Kleiner Perkins · filed Nov 2021
Attribution from SEC filings, press coverage, and firm rosters.
Other disclosed investments
Led
Investor
AmazonAmazon.comBetterworksBloom EnergyBloom Energy IncCompaqCompaq Computer CorporationDoorDashDreamBoxdrugstore.comGoogleIControl NetworksIntuit®LumerisMacromediaMyFitnessPalNetscapeNunaOpenEvidenceQuantumScapeRemindSlackSun MicrosystemsSymantecUberWatershedZynga
Sources: curated public sources · SEC Form D filings · the firm's website · the investor's own website.
Books by John Doerr
Podcasts & interviews
featuring John DoerrJohn Doerr & Ryan Panchadsaram of Kleiner Perkins + VC Sunday School: cap table management | E1379
This Week in Startups
John Doerr on Picking Winners — From Google in 1999 to the Climate Crisis Now | The Tim Ferriss Show
Tim Ferriss
Kleiner Perkins Chairman John Doerr and Congressman Ro Khanna | Full Interview | Code 2022
Recode
Watch CNBC's full interview with legendary investor John Doerr
cnbc.com
Colleagues at Kleiner Perkins
Network5
Investors connected to John in public investor directories — a warm-intro map.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is John Doerr?
- John Doerr joined Kleiner Perkins in 1980 after selling chips at Intel and went on to back Google, Amazon, Netscape, and Sun Microsystems. He brought Andy Grove's OKR goal-setting system to Google and turned it into the management bestseller Measure What Matters. Now the firm's chairman, he devotes much of his time to climate technology and funded Stanford's school of sustainability.
- Where does John Doerr work?
- John Doerr is Chairman at Kleiner Perkins and Board director at Watershed Technology and Board Director (Kleiner Perkins) at Shyp and Board director at Coursera.
- What does John Doerr invest in?
- John Doerr invests in Cleantech, Climate Tech.
- What check size does John Doerr write?
- John Doerr typically writes checks of $100K – $25M.
- What boards does John Doerr sit on?
- John Doerr holds tracked board seats at Alphabet, Inc., Amyris, Amyris Biotech, ASAPP, ASAPP, Cardinal Analytx, Coursera, Google, Renmatix, Shyp.
- What companies has John Doerr invested in?
- Investments tracked here include Twitter, Amazon, Amazon.com, Amyris, Betterworks, Bloom Energy, Bloom Energy Inc, Compaq, Compaq Computer Corporation, Coursera, DoorDash, DreamBox, and 18 more.
- What awards has John Doerr received?
- Doerr was named a Distinguished Alumnus of Rice University in 1997 for his accomplishments in business. Doerr was named a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences in 2009. Doerr was inducted into the California Hall of Fame in 2010. Doerr received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement in 2019. Doerr was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering in 2026.
- Does John Doerr lead rounds?
- Yes — John Doerr has led 1 tracked investment.
Paths to reach John
People who overlapped with John at the same organization — a shared school or employer with one of them is a warm way in.
