Tom Perkins was an American venture capitalist and entrepreneur, best known for co-founding the venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins. He played a significant role in the growth of Silicon Valley and was instrumental in funding many successful technology companies, including Genentech and Amazon. In addition to his business achievements, Perkins was also an author and wrote several books, including his memoir, which detailed his experiences in the tech industry. He was known for his outspoken views on various topics, including innovation and wealth, which often sparked public debate.