Photo Credit: Getty Images:
In a significant show of support from the tech industry, over 100 venture capitalists and investors have pledged their backing for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential race. This move comes as a counterpoint to recent endorsements of former President Donald Trump by some high-profile Silicon Valley figures.
The initiative, dubbed "VCsforKamala," was spearheaded by Seattle-based investor Leslie Feinzaig. Notable signatories include Mark Cuban, billionaire entrepreneur and minority owner of the Dallas Mavericks; Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn; Vinod Khosla of Khosla Ventures; and Ron Conway of SV Angel.
"There are a lot of us that just want to live in a stable, peaceful democracy and have access to government to discuss the things we care about without slinging mud at each other," Feinzaig told GeekWire. "I felt the dominant voices were not speaking for most of us."
The pledge, which as of Wednesday included 110 venture capitalists representing approximately $150 billion in assets, emphasizes a commitment to both business growth and democratic values. "We are pro-business, pro-American dream, pro-entrepreneurship, and pro-technological progress. We also believe in democracy as the backbone of our nation," the group stated.
This movement gained momentum following recent endorsements of Trump by tech luminaries such as Elon Musk and Marc Andreessen. The assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania earlier this month has further intensified the political discourse within the tech community.
The VCsforKamala initiative encourages signatories to support Harris not only with their votes but also with financial resources. The group's website states, "Let's show founders that not all V.C.s have turned MAGA," according to The New York Times.
While Harris's specific stance on key tech policy issues remains largely undefined, her personal connections to Silicon Valley, stemming from her tenure as a California senator and attorney general, may prove advantageous.
The pledge has attracted a diverse array of investors, including Aileen Lee of Cowboy Ventures, Rebecca Kaden of Union Square Ventures, and Brad Feld of Foundry. Seattle-area investors such as Jonathan Azoff of SNØCAP and Gillian Muessig of Sybilla Masters Fund have also joined the cause.
