Read what political and business leaders are saying about The Startup Game
“Whether you’ve experienced the joys and pains of Silicon Valley directly or just want to learn from those who have, you can’t do better than this firsthand account of the storied three generations of Drapers. Bill has done a huge favor for those of us who are passionate about technology and innovation by chronicling their experiences. Theirs is a tale worth knowing.”
— ERIC SCHMIDT, Chairman and CEO, Google
"Bill Draper, who began investing back when Silicon Valley was only known for its fruit orchards, tells the story behind some of the most pivotal companies of the last half-century and offers a fascinating look at the inner workings of the venture capital industry."
— ELON MUSK, Co-Founder of PayPal; Co-Founder, CEO, and CTO of SpaceX; Co-Founder and CEO of Tesla Motors; Chairman of Solar City
"No single venture capitalist more embodies the best in venture capital; Bill Draper sets the bar high. It is not just his demonstrable success in business, but it is also his high ethical standards that earn him the respect and the following that he has in the world of business."
— PRESIDENT GEORGE H.W. BUSH
"I wish I had this book when I started salesforce.com. This is more than a book about how to win over a venture capitalist, or an inside look at this mysterious and powerful industry. This is a book about innovation. Anyone trying to transform a good idea into a breakthrough company with massive impact must read this book."
— MARC BENIOFF, Chairman and CEO, salesforce.com
"This is an inspirational tale about using entrepreneurial talent and energy to improve the world. In this book, Bill describes a life of meaning and impact that spans venture capital, public service, and philanthropy. We need more Drapers!"
— WILLIAM A. SAHLMAN, Dimitri V. D'Arbeloff, MBA Class of 1955, Professor of Business Administration and Senior Associate Dean for External Relations, Harvard Business School
"Bill Draper is one of the most successful and respected individuals in the venture capital industry. Having funded several hundred technology companies, he has seen it all. The Startup Game is not only a captivating account of Silicon Valley, its entrepreneurs, and the venture capitalists who backed them, but it is also an intriguing depiction of how the world of entrepreneurship works."
— JOHN DOERR, Partner, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers
"An absolutely fascinating and well-told story by one of the great men — and gentlemen — of the Silicon Valley startup world. Must — indeed, required — reading for anyone interested in the American entrepreneurial adventure."
— CHRISTOPHER BUCKLEY, Author and Political Satirist
"While Bill has a famous reputation as a venture capitalist, the best untold story is how strategic he has been in backing a cadre of world-class social entrepreneurs who are creating massive change. Consider the stories of Bill as a philanthropist as an unexpected bonus of reading this book."
— JOHN WOOD, Founder and Executive Chairman, Room to Read
