At the age of 13 or 14, Chris Sacca embarked on a journey that would eventually make him a billionaire. Today, Sacca, a 49-year-old venture investor and entrepreneur, is celebrated for his sharp investment acumen and his role in funding transformative companies. His initial foray into the world of finance began with trading commodities, specifically live hogs, an experience that ignited his lifelong passion for investing.
Sacca's introduction to investing was serendipitous. While working for a family friend who ran a construction equipment rental business, he learned about the potential of earning through investments. His various childhood ventures, such as mowing lawns, detailing cars, and even running a gambling card game at his high school, all point to his early interest in making money.
His boss granted him the opportunity to make a trade using the company account under the condition that any profits would be shared equally or he would cover any losses. Demonstrating remarkable foresight, Sacca identified a "pattern anomaly" in live hog futures and executed a trade. Two weeks later, he cashed out with a profit of $171. Reflecting on this period, he said:
"I went to the library, I started learning about Stochastics, about charts, and technical analysis."
Sacca's experience trading live hogs was pivotal. It was this realization that he could earn more by using his intellect rather than manual labor that drove him further. While he earned $4.25 per hour doing manual labor downstairs at his boss's business, he aspired for more:
"I was like, 'I want to be the guy who works upstairs.'"
His determination led him to Georgetown University, where he obtained a law degree in 2000. Soon after, Sacca landed a position as an in-house lawyer at Google. His tenure at Google became a stepping stone to his career as an angel investor. Recognizing potential in early-stage startups, he became one of Twitter's earliest backers.
In 2010, Sacca launched Lowercase Capital, a venture capital firm that invested in companies now synonymous with success, such as Uber, Kickstarter, Stripe, and Blue Bottle Coffee. His strategic insights and willingness to take risks propelled him to the forefront of venture investing.
Despite achieving monumental success in venture capital, Sacca announced his retirement from the field in 2017. His focus shifted towards environmental sustainability with the establishment of Lowercarbon Capital, a climate investment fund. By 2021, Forbes estimated his net worth at an impressive $1.2 billion.
Throughout his journey, Sacca's relentless pursuit of knowledge has been a constant theme. Describing his commitment to learning, he remarked:
"I went all in. I read everything, I studied everything."
His entrepreneurial spirit was evident from a young age:
"From the time I was 6 years old, I was going around the neighborhood selling walnuts that I'd poke holes in and call air fresheners, or rocks that I had found in a parking lot."