Best Bill Gurley book recommendations

Bill Gurley is one of those people that success seems to follow wherever he goes. He succeeded as a venture capitalist, research analyst, and board member, accomplishments shared by few in the tech industry.

But one of his secrets to success might be his passion for reading insightful books.

Who is Bill Gurley?

Bill Gurley is a Benchmark venture capitalist and one of the top technology dealmakers alive. Few know that he is one of the first financiers of Uber. But that’s one of the many notches under his belt with tech startups.

Born John William Gurley in Dickinson, Texas, in 1966, this American venture capitalist has billions of dollars in shares in his portfolio. Whether directly or through his company, Gurley has associations with the following companies:

• Microsoft
• Uber
• GrubHub
• Compaq Computer
• Amazon
• Dell
• Zillow
• Stitch Fix
• Nextdoor
• Benchmark
• HackerOne

Despite his wealth, Bill Gurley is a private individual. Little is known about his upbringing and education. He graduated at 23 from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree. Gurley later finished the University of Texas McCombs School of Business with a Master’s in Administration.

But Gurley’s first jobs put him at the center of the technology industry. He worked at Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) before joining Compaq.

He also spent a few years on Wall Street as a research analyst and covered top San Francisco industry giants in Silicon Valley.

Gurley was even the primary analyst on Amazon’s IPO before joining Benchmark. His investments through Benchmark led to amazing finds like Nextdoor, Grubhub, DogVacay, OpenTable, and many others.

But his most important investment was the $11 million invested in Uber in 2011. The early investment puts Gurley’s net worth at around $8 billion in Uber shares alone. That’s even after resigning as a board member around the same time CEO and co-founder Travis Kalanick left.

And despite many business dealings, it’s challenging to point at Gurley’s failures. Most of his deals and investments yielded positive and profitable results.

That’s why when the venture capitalist offers advice, new entrepreneurs and investors will do well to listen. The red flags regarding the company culture caused both to leave the company.

Gurley has a knack for finding unicorns through his venture capital firm and is one of the few tech investors to become a long-term shareholder in the early stage of profitable companies.

Best books recommended by Bill Gurley

Benchmark general partner and venture capitalist Bill Gurley knows how to spot good valuations and companies with growth potential. As a man with nothing but success to show, he has an interesting list of reading material for budding success seekers.

Shoe Dog by Phil Knight

This book, by the creator of Nike, is an amazing success story. It covers a series of relevant decisions behind one of the largest apparel brands in the world.

It’s a must-read for people who want to learn about taking chances and spotting great ideas. Not many CEOs talk about their success and failures like Phil Knight.

Brotopia by Emily Chang

Brotopia is a book on gender equality, Silicon Valley, and succeeding in the tech industry. Entrepreneurs and investors in the space must read about the trends and behind-the-scenes dealings that happen in an environment ruled by powerful men.

Security Analysis by Benjamin Graham

This book isn’t only a favorite of Bill Gurley. It’s also a book that Warren Buffett recommends for any investors looking for a straightforward blueprint.

Built to Last by Jim Collins

Gurley recommends Built to Last to anyone struggling to accomplish long-term goals. It’s a book about successful habits and how to grow visionary companies. Jeff Bezos also approves the business model presented in the book.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

While this isn’t a business book, it does show how far imagination and vision can take you. The science fiction epic by Ernest Cline is spectacular and tackles tech topics like digital currency and virtual reality.

Negotiating the Impossible by Deepak Malhotra

Gurley’s renowned deals and investments earned him billions. And anyone wishing to follow in his footsteps can learn a lot from Negotiating the Impossible. It’s a realistic blueprint to use in tough negotiations on either side of the table.

The Success Equation by Michael Mauboussin

Another investing-centered book, The Success Equation discusses the many concepts. This particular narrative differentiates between skill and luck in business, sports, and investing.

The Sixth Man by Andre Iguodala

Former Warrior, sixth man of the year, and Finals MVP, Andre Iguodala wrote one of the best sports books of all time. The author’s on-the-court experience makes it easy to clarify concepts of team execution and tenacity. It’s a book for basketball lovers and leaders struggling to improve their teams.

Startup by Jerry Kaplan

Gurley recommends this book to new and experienced entrepreneurs alike. It thoroughly explains the challenges, strategies, and rewards of starting a new business and doing it correctly.

Mastering the Market Cycle by Howard Marks

Marks has a history of asking tough finance questions and working the odds in his favor. That’s why Gurley finds it a great read for people who need to learn the basics of investing.

Listen to Bill Gurley book recommendations on Speechify Audiobooks

It still takes practice and experience to achieve the same results as Bill Gurley. But reading some of his favorite books can help put you in the right frame of mind as an entrepreneur, analyst, and investor.

The Speechify Audiobook service has thousands of titles you may find useful for future business endeavors. It also contains audiobooks with Gurley’s stamp of approval. Some you can listen to for free, while others require spending subscription credits.

The Speechify player works on almost all mobile and desktop devices. And by signing up, you’re one step closer to redeeming your first premium audiobook for free.

Try Speechify and enter a new era of productivity and learning.

FAQ

What is Bill Gurley’s net worth?

Some estimate Gurley’s net worth at around 8 billion dollars, based on his stake in Uber. It’s difficult to tell how much more money he owns in crypto and other assets.

How much is Benchmark Capital worth?

Benchmark Capital is a company that raised 2 billion dollars for its six funds. 

How old is Bill Gurley?

At the time of writing this article, Bill Gurley, born in 1966, is 56 years old.

What is Bill Gurley investing in now?

According to the Wall Street Journal, Bill Gurley took a step back from investing in 2020. He likely continues to serve on the board of directors for some companies and mentors budding entrepreneurs and investors. Gurley also has a stake in a cryptocurrency company since 2021.