Eugene Kleiner was a prominent venture capitalist and co-founder of Kleiner Perkins, a well-known Silicon Valley investment firm. Born in 1923 in New York City, he played a significant role in funding and nurturing technology startups, particularly during the rise of the Silicon Valley tech boom. His work helped launch several successful companies, including Amazon and Google. Kleiner earned a degree in electrical engineering from New York University and later served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was known for his keen insight into emerging technologies and his ability to identify promising entrepreneurs, making him a key figure in the development of the modern tech industry.