David Sacks
- Known for
- Internet entrepreneur, PayPal Mafia, Venture Investor
- Born in
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Education
- Juris Doctor degree, University of Chicago Law School
David Sacks is a prominent South African-American entrepreneur, investor, and political commentator known for his role in the PayPal Mafia and his involvement in influential tech ventures. As a general partner at Craft Ventures and a co-host of the All-In podcast, he is a central figure in contemporary tech and right-leaning Silicon Valley discourse.
Signature Positions
Sacks’s career spans founding successful companies and taking on leadership roles in challenging environments:
- PayPal/Yammer: Co-founded Confinity (PayPal) and later Yammer, a leading enterprise social network later acquired by Microsoft.
- Zenefits: Served as interim CEO to resolve regulatory issues and revamp the company's product line and business model.
- Craft Ventures: Co-founded the venture fund in 2017, which has grown to manage significant assets, focusing on early-stage investments.
- Political Appointments: Named White House AI and crypto czar by President Donald Trump in 2024.
Notable Tensions
Sacks’s high-profile political role presents several areas of scrutiny:
- Political Alignment: Transitioned from supporting figures like Hillary Clinton to becoming a significant fundraiser and public supporter for Donald Trump, hosting key RNC events.
- AI/Crypto Czar Status: Serving as a "special government employee" allows him to avoid full financial disclosure and Senate confirmation hearings, raising concerns about transparency given his private business interests.
- Ukraine Stance: Advocates an anti-interventionist position regarding US involvement in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, blaming the US for 'provoking' the conflict.
Beyond his business ventures, Sacks is known for his cultural commentary, often co-authoring critical works on diversity and political correctness early in his career, such as "The Diversity Myth" with Peter Thiel. He is now a leading voice advocating for less regulation in the tech sector, particularly regarding cryptocurrency.