Arthur Rock

original VC; people-first investing (legacy founder-of-VC)

Arthur Rock is a San Francisco-based investor widely regarded as one of the originators of venture capital as a profession. He facilitated the 1957 departure of the 'Traitorous Eight' from Shockley Semiconductor, catalysing Fairchild Semiconductor, then backed Intel at its founding and Apple in its early rounds. His defining thesis — that backing exceptional individuals matters more than evaluating business plans — shaped how the entire industry assesses founders.