Paul G. Allen, Founder
Investor and philanthropist Paul G. Allen creates and advances world-class projects and high-impact initiatives that change and improve the way people live, learn, work and experience the world through arts, education, entertainment, sports, business and technology. He co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates in 1976, remained the company's chief technologist until he left Microsoft in 1983, and is the founder and chairman of Vulcan Inc. and chairman of Charter Communications (a broadband communications company). In addition, Mr. Allen's multibillion dollar investment portfolio includes large stakes in DreamWorks SKG, Oxygen Media and more than two dozen other technology, media and content companies. Mr. Allen also owns the Seattle Seahawks NFL and Portland Trail Blazers NBA franchises.
Named one of the top 10 philanthropists in America, Mr. Allen gives back to the community through the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, whose mission is to transform lives and strengthen communities by fostering innovation, creating knowledge and promoting social progress. Mr. Allen is also the sponsor of SpaceShipOne, the first civilian effort to successfully put man in suborbital space; founder of Experience Music Project, Seattle's critically acclaimed interactive music museum; the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame; the $100 million Allen Institute for Brain Science and its cutting-edge Allen Brain Atlas initiative, and Vulcan Productions, the independent film production company behind Todd Haynes' Far From Heaven, the Evolution series on PBS, and the award-winning film series, The Blues, executive produced by Martin Scorsese in conjunction with Mr. Allen and Jody Patton.