Bill Elmore

Last updated
William B. Elmore
Born1953
Long Beach, California, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
EducationB.S., M.S. Electrical Engineering, Purdue University; MBA, Stanford Graduate School of Business
Occupation(s)Electrical engineer, entrepreneur, venture capitalist
Employer(s) Foundation Capital, Handshake Ventures
Known forCo-founder of Foundation Capital, philanthropy at Purdue University
Board member ofPurdue Research Foundation Board
AwardsInstitutional Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award, Purdue University

William B. Elmore (born 1953) is an American electrical engineer, entrepreneur, and venture capitalist. He is the co-founder of Foundation Capital, a venture capital firm in Silicon Valley. Purdue University School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, one of the largest of its kind in the US, has been named after his $25M gift in 2023. [1] Elmore earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in electrical engineering at Purdue University College of Engineering.

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Early Life and Education

Elmore was born in Long Beach, California, and raised in Centerville, Ohio. He showed early interest in business and technology, founding a T-shirt business as a teenager and investing in stocks while still in school. [2] He earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering in 1975 and an M.S. in 1976 from Purdue University, followed by an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business in 1981.

Career

Elmore began his career in marketing management at Hewlett-Packard before becoming president of the startup Visual Engineering. He later joined the venture capital firm Inman & Bowman as a general partner. In early 1990s he led early investments in biotech, healthcare and software companies in East Bay Area, helping expand Silicon Valley geographical footprint. [3]


In 1995, Elmore co-founded Foundation Capital in Menlo Park, California. The firm focuses on investments in software, communications, and technology-enabled services. The firm was one of the few that continued to invest actively following the dot-com bust in early 2000s, when their fourth fund closed at $595 million in commitments, about 50% more than a target, per quote from Elmore in Los Angeles Times in May 2001. [4] Under his leadership, Foundation Capital has backed over 28 companies that went public, including Netflix, Atheros Communications, Lending Club, Envestnet, and Financial Engines. Elmore served as the president of National Venture Capital Association, a trade organization that represents the American venture capital community and advocating for policies that reward long-term investment. [5]

In 2018, Elmore founded Handshake Ventures, which invests in seed and pre-seed technology startups. His portfolio includes companies such as Hitch, Fitted, Directus, PocketLab, and Stream Elements.

Philanthropy and Purdue Engagement

Elmore has been a long-time supporter of Purdue University. In 2021, he donated $25 million to the university, leading to the naming of the **Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering**, the largest academic unit at Purdue. He has served on the Purdue Research Foundation Board and actively mentors students and entrepreneurs through Purdue's innovation ecosystem. [2]

He is also committed to expanding access to education, particularly for first-generation college students and those pursuing STEM fields. He teaches personal finance to high school students and supports Eastside College Preparatory School in California.

Honors

References

  1. ↑ "Venture Capitalist Elmore gives $25 million to Purdue's School of Electrical and Computer Engineering". Purdue for Life Foundation. Purdue University. August 10, 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award 2017 – Elmore". Purdue University College of Engineering. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
  3. ↑ Eckhouse, John (June 22, 1991). "East Bay Takes on a High Tech Look". San Francisco Chronicle. p. 19.
  4. ↑ "New Venture Capital Plunges over 56%". Los Angeles Times. May 7, 2001. p. 98.
  5. ↑ "William B. Elmore - Distinguished Engineering Alumni". Purdue University College of Engineering. Purdue University. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
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