Who Invested in Theranos? A Breakdown of Major Investors and Their Motives

Introduction

Theranos was once a Silicon Valley darling, a technology company that promised to revolutionize the healthcare industry. Founded by Elizabeth Holmes in 2003, Theranos promised to revolutionize the way people access medical information with a revolutionary blood testing system. But its promise quickly unraveled when the company was hit with numerous lawsuits alleging fraud and false claims. Ultimately, the company filed for bankruptcy in 2018 and its founder was charged with criminal fraud.

This article will explore who invested in Theranos and the motivations behind their investments. We’ll take a look at the major investors and analyze the risks and rewards they faced when deciding to invest in the controversial company. We’ll also look at the individuals behind the money and how they came to invest in Theranos.

A Look at Who Invested in Theranos: A Breakdown of Major Investors

Theranos received a significant amount of investment from some of the biggest names in the tech industry. According to an investigation by The Wall Street Journal, the company raised more than $900 million from venture capitalists and private investors between 2004 and 2015. Here’s a breakdown of some of the biggest investors in Theranos:

• Rupert Murdoch – News Corporation CEO and one of the world’s most powerful media moguls
• Laurie Glimcher – CEO of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
• Don Lucas – Founder of venture capital firm Lucas Venture Group
• Tim Draper – Founder of venture capital firm Draper Fisher Jurvetson
• Larry Ellison – Oracle founder and one of America’s wealthiest men

Analyzing the Biggest Investors in Theranos: What Were Their Motives?

When it comes to understanding why these major investors chose to put their money into Theranos, there are a few key factors to consider. First, there was the promise of a revolutionary new technology that could dramatically reduce the cost of healthcare. Second, there was the appeal of being associated with a high-profile Silicon Valley startup. Finally, there was the potential for a huge return on investment if the company succeeded.

The risks, however, were considerable. There were questions about the accuracy of Theranos’ technology and allegations that the company had misled investors and consumers. In addition, the company was facing increasing pressure from government regulators, which added to its financial woes.

Meet the People Behind the Money: An Inside Look at Who Invested in Theranos

So who are the people behind the investments in Theranos? Let’s take a closer look at some of the major investors in the company:

Rupert Murdoch

Rupert Murdoch, the CEO of News Corporation, was one of the earliest investors in Theranos. According to an investigation by The Wall Street Journal, Murdoch invested $125 million in the company between 2005 and 2014. He later sold his shares for a reported $100 million.

Laurie Glimcher

Laurie Glimcher is the CEO of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and one of the leading figures in the healthcare industry. She invested in Theranos in 2013, reportedly buying roughly $20 million worth of stock.

Don Lucas

Don Lucas is a venture capitalist and the founder of Lucas Venture Group. He invested in Theranos in 2006, reportedly buying $100 million worth of stock. Lucas has since sold his shares for a reported $50 million.

Tim Draper

Tim Draper is the founder of venture capital firm Draper Fisher Jurvetson and one of the leading figures in Silicon Valley. He invested in Theranos in 2011, reportedly buying $40 million worth of stock. Draper later sold his shares for a reported $30 million.

Larry Ellison

Larry Ellison is the founder of Oracle and one of the wealthiest men in America. He invested in Theranos in 2014, reportedly buying $25 million worth of stock. Ellison has since sold his shares for a reported $20 million.

The Theranos Story: How Investors Bet on a Controversial Company

When investors put their money into Theranos, they were taking a gamble. On the one hand, there was the potential for a huge return on investment if the company succeeded. On the other hand, there was the risk that the company would fail, leaving investors with nothing but losses.

“Investors in Theranos were betting that it could revolutionize the healthcare industry,” says Dr. Robert Pearl, professor of medicine at Stanford University and author of The New York Times bestseller Mistreated: Why We Think We’re Getting Good Health Care—And Why We’re Usually Wrong. “But they were also taking a big risk. Theranos had yet to prove its technology and was facing increasing scrutiny from government regulators.”

Ultimately, the gamble didn’t pay off. Many of the investors who put their money into Theranos ended up losing millions. But despite the losses, the story of Theranos serves as a cautionary tale for investors looking to put their money into risky startups.

Conclusion

Theranos was a controversial company that promised to revolutionize the healthcare industry. This article explored who invested in Theranos and the motivations behind their investments. We looked at the risks and rewards that major investors faced when deciding to invest in the company and examined the individuals behind the money. Ultimately, the gamble didn’t pay off and many of the investors who put their money into Theranos ended up losing millions. But the story of Theranos serves as an important lesson for investors looking to put their money into risky startups.

From Rupert Murdoch to Larry Ellison, many of the biggest names in the tech industry put their money into Theranos. While their investments didn’t pay off, the story of Theranos serves as a reminder that even the largest investors can be burned if they don’t do their due diligence.