How Did David Cheriton Make His Money?

David Cheriton’s Profile Summary

Company	Arista Networks
Position	Co-founder, Investor
Source of wealth	Early investments in Google, Arista Networks, Tech Ventures
Also known as	Google Investor
Age	76
Education	Ph.D. in Computer Science, Stanford University
Citizenship	Canada, United States
Residence	Palo Alto, California, USA
Family	Married, children
Website, Social Media	https://www.arista.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/arista-networks

David Cheriton’s biography

David Cheriton, born in 1949 in Vancouver, Canada, is a Canadian-American computer scientist, entrepreneur, and investor. He is best known for his early investment in Google and as the co-founder of Arista Networks, a leading cloud networking company. Cheriton earned his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Stanford University, where he later became a professor. His research and teaching in computer networking and distributed systems laid the groundwork for many successful ventures.

Cheriton’s business journey began in the 1980s, when he founded Granite Systems, a network equipment company that was later acquired by Cisco Systems. This sale marked his first major financial success. He then co-founded Kealia, a company focused on high-performance computing, which was sold to Sun Microsystems in 2004.

In 1998, Cheriton made his most profitable investment when he became one of the first investors in Google, contributing $100,000 to the startup. His early stake in Google turned into a multibillion-dollar fortune after the company’s IPO in 2004. He also co-founded Arista Networks in 2004, a company that provides high-speed networking solutions to large enterprises and cloud service providers. Arista Networks went public in 2014, further increasing his wealth.

Despite his wealth, Cheriton is known for leading a modest lifestyle. He is a strong advocate for education and research funding and has donated millions to Stanford University. As of 2025, his net worth is estimated at $10 billion, making him one of the wealthiest investors in Silicon Valley.

How did David Cheriton make money?
David Cheriton built his fortune through early-stage investments in tech companies, particularly Google, and through his entrepreneurial ventures. His journey began in the 1980s, when he founded Granite Systems, a network equipment company that was later acquired by Cisco Systems. This sale gave him his first major financial success.

Cheriton’s most notable financial move was his early $100,000 investment in Google in 1998, when the company was still a startup. As one of Google’s first investors, his stake turned into billions of dollars after the company’s IPO in 2004. This investment remains his primary source of wealth.

In 2004, Cheriton co-founded Arista Networks alongside Andy Bechtolsheim, another tech billionaire. Arista became a key player in the cloud networking market, providing high-speed data center switches to companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and Facebook. The company’s IPO in 2014 significantly boosted Cheriton’s fortune.

In addition to his entrepreneurial ventures, Cheriton has made strategic investments in various tech startups. His investment philosophy focuses on backing innovative companies with strong technical foundations. His wealth also stems from consulting roles and advisory positions in several tech firms.

Today, Cheriton’s fortune primarily comes from his holdings in Arista Networks and his early investment in Google. His influence in Silicon Valley extends beyond wealth, as he remains an active investor and philanthropist, supporting education and research.
What is David Cheriton net worth?

As of 2025, David Cheriton’s net worth is estimated to be $14.9 B.

What is David Cheriton also known as?

David Cheriton is widely known as one of the first investors in Google, contributing $100,000 when the company was a startup. He is also recognized as the co-founder of Arista Networks, a key player in cloud networking solutions. His influence in Silicon Valley extends through his investments and philanthropic efforts.

Prominent achievements of David Cheriton

David Cheriton was one of the first investors in Google, turning a $100,000 investment into billions of dollars. He co-founded Arista Networks, a leading cloud networking company, and has sold companies to major players like Cisco and Sun Microsystems. He is recognized as a major philanthropist in education and research.

What are David Cheriton’s key insights?

David Cheriton emphasizes supporting technically strong companies with innovative solutions. He believes in long-term investments and modesty, focusing on sustainable growth over quick financial gains.

David Cheriton’s personal life

David Cheriton is married and has children who remain out of the public spotlight. His family is actively involved in his philanthropic activities, particularly in education and research funding through Stanford University.