Armas Clifford "Mike" Markkula Jr. (born 1942) is a legendary venture capitalist who provided early critical funding for Apple Computer.
Mike made millions exercising stock options he acquired working as a marketing manager for Intel and Fairchild Semiconductor retiring at 38. Lured out of retirement after visiting Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs in their garage, Markkula brought his business expertise along with $250,000 to buy a third of Apple Computer in 1977. He also brought in Apple Computers first CEO, Michael Scott, before taking over that position himself from 1981 to 1983.
Last updated: 08-17-2005 14:24:41