Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Yuri Milner

Yuri Milner (born 1961) is a Russian-born Israeli physicist and venture capitalist who founded the investment firm and co-founded the Breakthrough Prize Foundation. After graduating from in 1985 with an advanced degree in , Milner conducted research in before pursuing an MBA at the and entering the technology sector. He established in 2009 to invest in late-stage companies, achieving notable successes with early stakes in Alibaba, , and (now X), which propelled the firm to prominence among global technology investors. In philanthropy, Milner has directed substantial resources toward fundamental , co-founding the Breakthrough Prize in 2012 with his wife Julia Milner and partners including to award $3 million annually for transformative contributions in physics, life sciences, and . He has also supported ambitious projects such as the $100 million initiative launched in 2016 to develop nanocrafts for interstellar exploration. In 2022, Milner renounced his Russian citizenship amid geopolitical tensions.

Early Life and Education

Family Background and Childhood in the

Yuri Borisovich Milner was born on November 11, 1961, in , Russian SFSR, , into a Jewish family of intellectuals. His father, Bentsion Zakharovich Milner (also rendered as Boris Milner), was a prominent Soviet and who specialized in practices, authoring or editing approximately 50 books on business and economics. The family background included Ukrainian-Jewish paternal heritage and Russian-Jewish maternal roots, reflecting the diverse ethnic composition common among Soviet Jewish . As the second child in the family, Milner grew up in amid the intellectual environment shaped by his parents' academic pursuits during the Brezhnev-era . Limited public details exist on specific childhood experiences, but the household emphasis on scholarly work and economic theory—evident in his father's publications—likely influenced his early exposure to theoretical and analytical disciplines. This setting, within a Jewish family navigating Soviet restrictions on religious and cultural expression, provided a foundation in rigorous intellectualism rather than overt material privilege.

Academic Training in Physics and Economics

Milner enrolled at in the late 1970s to study , graduating in 1985 with an advanced degree equivalent to a in the Soviet educational system. Following graduation, he pursued doctoral research in , conducting work in at the of the , a leading Soviet research institution focused on fundamental physics. In 1989, amid the loosening economic controls of , Milner abandoned his physics doctorate to pivot toward applied fields, reflecting a broader trend among Soviet scientists seeking opportunities outside pure research amid systemic constraints on theoretical work. He then relocated to the in 1990 as one of the first Soviet citizens permitted to study abroad post-Cold War thaw, enrolling in the MBA program at the of the to train in and . Milner completed his Wharton MBA in 1992, gaining expertise in financial markets, investment analysis, and , which equipped him for subsequent roles in . This economics-oriented training contrasted with his physics background, emphasizing practical applications of quantitative modeling and market dynamics over abstract theory. Post-graduation, he applied these skills during a three-year stint at the World Bank's financial sector division, analyzing economics before returning to .

Business Career

Foundations in Russian Internet Sector

In 1999, Milner established NetBridge, an investment vehicle designed to adapt and invest in U.S.-style business models for the market, including portals, search engines, and services. The venture focused on early-stage opportunities amid Russia's nascent online ecosystem, where penetration was under 1% and infrastructure lagged behind Western counterparts. The dot-com crash of 2000–2001 severely impacted NetBridge's portfolio, prompting a strategic merger in with Port.ru—a competitor offering similar and services—under Milner's orchestration as NetBridge's manager, with backing from investor Igor Linshits. This consolidation formed Mail.ru, Russia's first major provider, which quickly captured by providing free accounts and localized during a period of economic recovery and rising dial-up adoption. Milner assumed the role of CEO of Mail.ru from to 2003, steering its survival and initial expansion despite ongoing financial pressures. In 2005, Milner co-founded Digital Sky Technologies (DST) as a dedicated to consolidate and expand control over Mail.ru, acquiring a majority stake and integrating additional internet assets such as the social network . DST's strategy emphasized aggressive equity investments in high-growth online platforms, leveraging Mail.ru's user base—reaching millions by mid-decade—for cross-promotions in messaging, gaming, and advertising. By 2006, DST had increased its Mail.ru holdings to near-full ownership, positioning the group as a cornerstone of Russia's , which grew at over 30% annually through the late .

Launch and Expansion of DST Global

DST Global was founded by Yuri Milner in 2009 as a Cayman Islands-registered firm focused on late-stage investments in internet-based companies, marking a pivot from Milner's earlier Russian-centric ventures to global opportunities. The firm's launch coincided with its inaugural major deal: a $200 million investment in on May 26, 2009, securing approximately 2% ownership at a $10 billion without demanding board seats or voting rights, a structure that highlighted Milner's strategy of providing to founders while betting on effects in social platforms. This transaction, executed through DST entities including Mail.ru Group, propelled DST Global's visibility and attracted capital from non-Russian sources, with co-founders Saurabh Gupta, John Lindfors, Rahul Mehta, and Tom Stafford joining to handle operations, investments, and finance. Expansion accelerated through successive funds and diversified bets on high-growth tech firms. DST Global II launched in 2011, followed by DST Global III in 2012 raising $1 billion led by and Yuri Milner, enabling stakes in (acquired 2011, divested May 2014) and gaming platform . Subsequent funds—IV (2014), V (2015), VI (2018), VII and VIII (2019), and IX (2021)—amassed billions from over 150 investors across , , the , and , with no Russian capital accepted after DST Global II and less than 3% prior exposure from (fully divested by 2014). The firm established offices in , , , , and to source deals, culminating in a portfolio exceeding 80 companies, including , , Alibaba, , and , yielding substantial returns from exits like (divested 2012–2013, transforming the initial stake into multibillion-dollar gains). This growth positioned DST Global as a pre-IPO , emphasizing concentrated wagers on platforms with viral user acquisition over broad diversification, though it drew scrutiny for opaque fund structures and limited public disclosure on individual terms. By the mid-2010s, the firm's exceeded $10 billion across funds, funding bets on and mobility disruptors while maintaining a pace of 3–4 annually to prioritize outsized "" outcomes.

Major Technology and Social Media Investments

In 2009, Yuri Milner founded as a firm specializing in late-stage investments in internet and technology companies, marking a shift from his earlier Russian-focused ventures to global opportunities. The firm's strategy emphasized large, concentrated bets on high-growth platforms, often providing liquidity to employees and early investors through secondary share purchases. DST Global's breakthrough came in May 2009 with a $200 million investment in , acquiring a 1.96% stake at a $10 billion valuation and offering to buy up to $100 million in employee shares for added . This deal, one of the largest private investments in the company at the time, yielded substantial returns; DST later expanded its stake and sold shares post-IPO, realizing billions in gains. In 2011, DST added $50 million more to at a $50 billion valuation. The firm extended its social media focus to in August 2011, leading an $800 million funding round that included $400 million in new capital from DST, valuing the platform at $8.4 billion and enabling secondary sales to employees. This investment capitalized on 's rapid user growth, with DST benefiting from the company's eventual public listing. Beyond , DST targeted and tech: in September 2011, it partnered with Silver Lake for a $1.6 billion to buy Alibaba employee shares, implying a $32 billion valuation for the Chinese giant ahead of its IPO. In the sector, DST invested hundreds of millions in around 2010–2011, supporting its social gaming expansion before its public debut. Subsequent portfolio additions included and , reflecting DST's broader tech ecosystem plays in and streaming services. These investments, often exceeding $100 million per deal, established DST as a key player, with Milner's approach prioritizing network effects and user scale over diversified smaller bets.

Biotechnology Ventures Including Altos Labs

In 2021, Yuri Milner emerged as a principal founder and investor in , a firm dedicated to advancing cellular programming for restoring and resilience, targeting the reversal of age-related diseases, injuries, and disabilities. The company's origins trace to an October 2020 conference hosted by Milner at his Los Altos Hills mansion, which convened experts in biological reprogramming to explore extending human lifespan through cellular restoration rather than mere disease treatment. was incorporated in both the and that year, with Milner channeling investments via his Research Foundation, providing grants of $1 million annually for three years to support initial research efforts. By June 2021, had raised at least $270 million in funding, drawn from Milner and founder , enabling the recruitment of leading scientists such as Nobel laureate —who chairs the scientific advisory board—Juan Carlos Izpisúa Belmonte of the Salk Institute, Steve Horvath of UCLA, and Wolf Reik, formerly of the Babraham Institute. In January 2022, the company publicly launched with over $3 billion in committed capital from these and other backers, including additional Nobel recipients like and on its advisory board, and appointed Hal Barron—previously chief scientific officer at GlaxoSmithKline—as CEO effective summer 2022. Operations span facilities in and , a hub in , , and partnerships in under Yamanaka's oversight, emphasizing curiosity-driven research without short-term revenue pressures. Altos Labs' core technology leverages partial reprogramming—building on Yamanaka's induced pluripotent stem cell factors—to reset epigenetic clocks in mature cells toward a youthful state, avoiding full dedifferentiation to reduce risks like tumor formation observed in earlier experiments. While proponents highlight potential breakthroughs in longevity, critics including researcher Alejandro Ocampo have noted the field's hype exceeds current evidence, with human translation challenged by safety concerns and unproven scalability despite animal model successes. Milner's stake in Altos represents his primary foray into direct biotechnology investment, distinct from his technology-focused DST Global portfolio, though no other comparable personal biotech ventures have been disclosed.

Investment Controversies and Scrutiny

In , leaked documents from the revealed that , founded by Yuri Milner, received loans totaling approximately $850 million from , a state-controlled institution chaired by ally Andrei Kostin, to finance early-stage investments in U.S. technology firms including and . These funds, routed through offshore entities in and the , supported DST's $200 million purchase of a 1.96% stake in in 2009 and an $80 million investment in in 2011, amid growing concerns over influence in Western tech sectors. VTB's involvement raised questions about potential leverage, as the bank held minority stakes in DST vehicles without direct control over investment decisions, according to Milner. Milner, who maintained that VTB's contribution represented less than 5% of DST's overall funding and was purely commercial with no policy influence on portfolio companies, faced heightened scrutiny in the context of U.S. investigations into election interference. He disclosed the VTB partnership to limited partners and portfolio firms at the time, denying any nondisclosure or ulterior motives, and noted that DST ceased raising capital from sources after 2011. Critics, including U.S. lawmakers, questioned whether such funding enabled indirect access to platforms' data or algorithms, though no evidence emerged of DST exerting influence on behalf of ; the investments were fully exited by 2013 for and earlier for . Further associations included DST's partnerships with Russian oligarch , who co-invested in the funds and held indirect stakes via entities like Mail.ru Group, amplifying perceptions of opaque Russian capital flows into . Post-2017, no formal U.S. regulatory actions targeted Milner or DST directly, but the revelations prompted broader reviews of foreign in , including CFIUS examinations of risks from state-linked funds. Following Russia's 2022 invasion of , Milner publicly condemned Putin, resigned from the Skolkovo Foundation board on March 1, 2022, and relinquished his citizenship in October 2022, actions framed as severing remaining ties amid firms' efforts to purge -linked funding. affirmed no ongoing investor involvement, with post-2011 capital sourced diversely from global limited partners, mitigating prior geopolitical exposures. These steps occurred against a backdrop of intensified sanctions on VTB and entities, though earlier investments predated such measures and yielded no proven security breaches.

Philanthropy and Scientific Initiatives

Creation of the Breakthrough Prize

In 2012, Yuri Milner established the Fundamental Physics Prize—later integrated into the broader framework—to recognize transformative contributions to fundamental physics, awarding $3 million annually to one or more individuals or teams for profound advancements in human understanding of the universe. The prize emphasized recent breakthroughs over lifetime achievements, surpassing the in monetary value (approximately three times greater at the time) to better incentivize high-risk, fundamental research. On July 31, , Milner personally selected and announced the nine inaugural laureates, including physicists for cosmic inflation theory, for related early-universe models, and for research, with each receiving the full $3 million unrestricted award. Concurrently, Milner introduced the $100,000 in Physics Prize to honor up to three early-career researchers demonstrating exceptional promise. Milner, drawing from his physics background, positioned the prize as a means to elevate the visibility of and attract top talent, stating it would "celebrate and reward great minds working on the deepest mysteries of the ." The initiative's creation reflected Milner's view that fundamental science underpins technological progress, with the substantial awards intended to counter the field's funding challenges and inspire younger scientists; he hoped it would encourage more individuals to pursue physics careers amid perceptions of limited practical rewards. Co-founded with his wife Julia Milner from the outset, the prize later expanded in 2013 to include Life Sciences categories through partnerships with , , , and , formalizing the Breakthrough Prize as a multidisciplinary effort while retaining Milner's foundational role in physics. A Mathematics category followed in 2015, broadening the scope to core areas of .

Breakthrough Initiatives for Space and Fundamental Science

The , launched by Yuri and Milner in July , comprise a series of privately funded programs dedicated to exploring and developing technologies for , with an initial commitment exceeding $200 million. These efforts aim to address fundamental questions about the universe's habitability and the feasibility of human expansion beyond the Solar System, leveraging advanced observational and technologies. The programs emphasize empirical and prototypes over speculative theory, partnering with institutions like the , and international observatories. A cornerstone is , a $100 million, decade-long () announced on July 20, , in collaboration with physicist . It utilizes the in and the in to scan one million nearby stars and 100 galaxies for technosignatures, such as narrowband radio signals or pulses, over a petabyte of data annually with high-resolution spectrometers developed at . As of 2025, no confirmed detections have occurred, though the project has released public datasets and advanced instrumentation for anomaly detection, reinvigorating after decades of limited funding. Breakthrough Starshot, initiated in April 2016 with another $100 million allocation, seeks to demonstrate proof-of-concept for light-sail propelled nanocrafts capable of reaching Alpha Centauri—4.37 light-years away—in about 20 years at 20% the . The plan involves launching gram-scale probes equipped with cameras and sensors, accelerated by a ground-based array delivering petawatts of power to ultra-thin . Backed by advisers including Hawking and , early phases funded prototype sail materials and beam control tests, but by 2025, the project faced setbacks including technical hurdles in scaling, regulatory challenges for the array, and waning momentum, leading to a reported quiet scaling-back despite initial ambitions for a full mission costing billions. Complementary efforts include Breakthrough Watch, which employs telescopes like the to directly image Earth-like exoplanets in habitable zones for biosignatures, and Breakthrough Message, a contest soliciting encoded signals for potential transmission to extraterrestrial recipients, though the latter remains conceptual. These initiatives prioritize verifiable technological milestones, such as sail deployment tests and algorithms, over unproven hypotheses, while openly acknowledging the low probabilities of success—estimated at under 1% for Starshot's full realization—yet justifying investment through spillover innovations in and .

Humanitarian Responses to Crises Including COVID-19 and Ukraine Invasion

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Milner Foundation, co-founded by Yuri and Julia Milner, donated $3 million on March 25, 2020, to support Israeli institutions combating the virus. This funding was allocated to Tel Aviv University for research into diagnostics and treatments, Magen David Adom for emergency medical supplies and personnel, and Ichilov Medical Center at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center for expanding intensive care capacity and acquiring protective equipment. The donation aimed to address immediate shortages in testing, ventilation, and frontline response amid Israel's early outbreak phase. Following Russia's of on February 24, 2022, the Milner provided $3 million in emergency aid on March 8, 2022, to the Conference of European Rabbis to assist Jewish fleeing the conflict. This support facilitated evacuation, temporary housing, food distribution, and medical care for thousands escaping violence in 's third week of war. Separately, Yuri and Milner committed $100 million in 2022 to launch for Refugees, a tech-driven initiative partnering with organizations like the to aid Ukrainian through digital tools for job matching, education, and integration. The , co-founded by Milner, issued a statement condemning the as "unprovoked and brutal" and pledged ongoing support for affected scientists, though humanitarian focus remained on welfare. These efforts aligned with Milner's prior renunciation of Russian citizenship in 2022, following his family's departure from in 2014.

Broader Commitments like the Giving Pledge and Eureka Manifesto

In 2012, Yuri Milner and his wife Julia signed , a commitment initiated by , , and encouraging the world's wealthiest individuals to dedicate the majority of their wealth to during their lifetimes or in their wills. Their pledge letter highlighted a focus on addressing fundamental challenges through science and education, noting the creation of the Fundamental Physics Prize as an example of directing resources toward advancing human understanding of the universe's deep structure. This aligns with Milner's stated intent to prioritize investments in problem-solving initiatives over traditional charitable giving, emphasizing empirical progress in scientific fields. Complementing , Milner authored the Eureka : The for Our Civilization in 2021, a concise presenting a philosophical framework for humanity's collective purpose. The posits that humanity's survival and thriving depend on adopting a shared rooted in exploration, positioning advancement as a unifying force to overcome global crises such as geopolitical conflicts, environmental threats, and technological risks. Milner argues that recognizing our species' nascent stage in cosmic —evidenced by the absence of detected civilizations—necessitates prioritizing discovery and expansion beyond , with serving as the "universal " for collaboration. Available for free download, the text draws on Milner's background in physics and to advocate for reallocating resources toward and ambitions, framing inaction as a path to stagnation or . These commitments reflect Milner's broader emphasis on long-term human progress over short-term relief, integrating personal wealth dedication with a civilizational-scale vision that critiques fragmented national priorities in favor of evidence-based global unity. While provides a binding philanthropic structure, the Eureka Manifesto serves as an intellectual call to action, influencing Milner's initiatives like the Breakthrough Prize by underscoring science's role in averting existential vulnerabilities.

Personal Life

Family, Residence, and Intellectual Pursuits

Yuri Milner was born into a family of intellectuals; his father, Boris Milner, was a professor specializing in American management practices. In 2004, he married Julia Bochkova, a former high-fashion model and contemporary . The couple has three daughters, with births occurring in and the . In 2014, Milner relocated his family to , where their third daughter was born; the entire family, including his mother, now resides there. His primary residence is a 25,545-square-foot chateau-style mansion in , purchased for $100 million in March 2011—one of the highest-priced home sales in at the time. The estate spans approximately 17 acres overlooking the and features amenities including a , game room, and maid's quarters. Milner's intellectual pursuits are rooted in ; he earned an advanced degree from in 1985 and subsequently conducted research in . This background informs his ongoing passion for fundamental science, manifested through philanthropic initiatives supporting advancements in physics, life sciences, and .

Assets, Citizenship Changes, and Public Stance on

Yuri Milner's primary assets stem from his founding and leadership of , a firm focused on late-stage internet investments, which has backed companies including , (now X), and , generating substantial returns. His estimated stands at approximately $6.9 billion as of September 2025, largely tied to these holdings. Additional personal assets include a named and such as a $70 million in acquired through an entity under his control in 2023. Milner resides in the , reflecting his long-term base in since relocating there in the early 2010s. Born in the , Milner acquired Israeli citizenship after emigrating there in the 1990s and has held it since. He departed permanently in 2014 following the annexation of , citing a desire to distance himself from the geopolitical shifts under . In August 2022, amid 's full-scale invasion of , Milner and his family completed the formal renunciation of their citizenship, a process he announced publicly that October, emphasizing his prior exit from the country and rejection of ongoing ties. This move aligned with actions by other -origin billionaires seeking to sever formal connections to amid and scrutiny. On geopolitics, Milner has publicly condemned Russia's 2022 invasion of as a "heartbreaking tragedy," with his companies issuing statements denouncing the war and halting operations in . He has distanced himself from Putin, transitioning from earlier caution to explicit criticism, including calls for an end to the conflict. Despite historical funding links between and Russian state entities like Vnesheconombank in the 2010s—which facilitated early deals but were disclosed at the time—Milner has maintained no ongoing political affiliations with the , framing his renunciation and stances as a clean break from his birthplace's actions. His commentary remains focused on the Ukraine war, with no prominent public positions on other global issues like U.S.- tensions or conflicts noted.

Recognition and Legacy

Awards and Honors

Yuri Milner has received recognition primarily for his success as a venture capitalist and philanthropist through inclusions in prominent industry rankings and lists. He has been featured multiple times on Forbes' Midas List, which ranks top technology investors based on successful exits and deal-making prowess. In 2011, he ranked 25th; in 2013, 53rd; in 2016, 17th; in 2017, 15th; and in 2018, 52nd. Other honors include his selection for TIME magazine's 2016 list of the 100 Most Influential People, with an entry written by physicist Stephen Hawking praising Milner's investments in scientific initiatives. In 2017, Fortune named him among the World's 50 Greatest Leaders, highlighting his role in funding transformative technologies and science prizes. Earlier, in 2011, Fast Company ranked him third on its list of the 100 Most Creative People in Business for pioneering investments in social media platforms like Facebook. Milner has also appeared on Vanity Fair's New Establishment List (#23 in 2011, #25 in 2014, #23 in 2015) and Wired's Wired 100 (#13 in 2015, #20 in 2016), reflecting his influence in tech and media ecosystems. In , he was named of the Year and Russian GQ's Man of the Year in 2011, alongside topping Russian ' Owners of list that year. These recognitions underscore his impact on global tech investments rather than traditional academic or state honors, with no documented receipt of formal prizes like Nobel equivalents or governmental medals.

Overall Impact, Achievements, and Criticisms

Yuri Milner's investments through generated substantial returns, including a 2009 stake in valued at over $1 billion by 2012 and early bets on companies like , , and Alibaba that propelled his net worth to approximately $6.2 billion as of 2023. These successes established him as a pivotal figure in bridging Russian capital with innovation, influencing the global tech landscape by accelerating the growth of and internet platforms. His approach emphasized high-conviction, concentrated bets on transformative technologies, yielding outsized impacts on digital connectivity and data economies. In philanthropy, Milner has channeled hundreds of millions into , most notably co-founding the Breakthrough Prize in 2012, which has awarded over $326 million to laureates in fundamental physics, life sciences, and mathematics by 2025, often exceeding amounts at $3 million per winner. This initiative, supported by figures like and , has elevated scientific recognition through high-profile ceremonies akin to entertainment awards, fostering greater public engagement with research and inspiring early-career scientists via programs like the $100,000 New Horizons Prizes. Complementary efforts, such as the $100 million for searches launched in 2015 and the $100 million Starshot project in 2016 for interstellar probes, have advanced astrobiology and propulsion technologies, drawing collaborations from institutions like the and . Milner's 2013 commitment to , alongside his wife Julia, has extended to targeted , including $100 million for refugee tech initiatives in 2016, $5 million to Israel's Jewish Agency for terror victims in 2023, and $10 million to groups following the October 2023 attacks. These efforts underscore a data-driven model prioritizing measurable outcomes in , crisis response, and scientific progress, with additional impacts like full-tuition Wharton scholarships for students funded by a $10 million gift. His work has been recognized on ' for venture investing prowess and praised for democratizing science's cultural stature. Criticisms of Milner center on his early career ties to Russian state entities, including funding from —a -controlled —for DST Global's U.S. tech investments, as revealed in the 2017 , raising questions about potential foreign influence on platforms like and amid U.S. election interference probes. Milner has maintained these were apolitical commercial decisions, with no evidence of directives over his portfolio choices, though outlets like highlighted the optics of such connections given his proximity to via advisory roles until 2022. In response to Russia's 2022 invasion of , Milner resigned from pro-Putin councils in March 2022 and renounced his citizenship in October 2022, actions viewed by associates as severing long-standing affiliations amid geopolitical scrutiny. Some scientific observers have questioned whether the Breakthrough Prizes prioritize spectacle over substantive advancement, dubbing them informal "Nobels 2.0," though Milner counters that their scale incentivizes bold research without bureaucratic delays.

References

  1. [1]
    Yuri Milner - Forbes
    Yuri Milner is a Russian-born, Israeli tech investor who was an early backer of Facebook and Twitter through his venture fund, DST Global.
  2. [2]
    Yuri Milner | Breakthrough Foundation
    He took the firm public in 2010 and founded DST Global to focus on global internet investments. DST Global became one of the world's leading technology ...
  3. [3]
    DST Global, Yuri Milner and Russia Fact Sheet
    In 2009, Yuri founded the technology investment company DST Global to focus exclusively on internet investments globally.
  4. [4]
    DST Global
    Its investments include some of the world's fastest-growing and most valuable companies. DST Global's founder is Yuri Milner and its co-founders are Saurabh ...
  5. [5]
    Fundamental Physics - Breakthrough Prize
    The Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics was founded in 2012 by Yuri Milner to recognize those individuals who have made profound contributions to human ...
  6. [6]
    Yuri Milner - Breakthrough Initiatives
    And in 2016 Yuri Milner and Stephen Hawking launched the $100m Breakthrough Starshot, the first serious attempt to design and engineer an interstellar space ...
  7. [7]
    Early Facebook Investor Yuri Milner Renounces Russian Citizenship
    Oct 11, 2022 · Born in Moscow in 1961, Yuri Milner grew up in the Soviet Union and graduated in 1985 from Moscow State University with a degree in theoretical ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  8. [8]
    The Billionaire Who Friended the Web - Forbes
    Mar 10, 2011 · Yuri Milner was born into a family of Moscow intellectuals. His father, Boris, was a professor specializing in American management practices.Missing: background childhood<|separator|>
  9. [9]
    Yuri Milner: saving physicists from Wall Street | MoneyWeek
    Aug 22, 2012 · Milner was born into a family of Moscow intellectuals, says Forbes. His father, Boris, was a professor specialising in American management ...Missing: background childhood
  10. [10]
    Milner Yuri Borisovich (Bentsionovich) - TAdviser
    Oct 10, 2022 · Yuri Milner was born on November 11, 1961, the second child in the Jewish family of the famous economist Benzion (Boris) Zakharovich Milner ( ...Missing: childhood Soviet Union
  11. [11]
    Yuri Milner | Biography & Facts | Britannica Money
    After earning a degree in theoretical physics from Moscow State University (B.A./B.S., 1985), he pursued a Ph.D. in particle physics. While a graduate student, ...
  12. [12]
    A Firm Commitment - Inspiring Impact at Penn
    Sep 21, 2020 · Wharton MBA alumnus Yuri Milner, WG'92, and his wife Julia have committed $10 million to create the Friends of Israel MBA Fund at the Wharton School.
  13. [13]
    Profile/Case study: Mail.ru - - Global Corporate Venturing
    Sep 13, 2012 · In 1999, Milner had created an internet investment vehicle, Netbridge, to clone US online business models for the Russian market before merging ...
  14. [14]
    A Q&A With Internet Guru Yuri Milner: Moving On From Russia And ...
    Sep 28, 2017 · You started your Internet journey investing from the balance sheet of Mail.ru and then pivoted to investing from DST Global. Can you explain how ...
  15. [15]
    Mail.ru | Jobs, Benefits, Business Model, Founding Story - Cleverism
    In 2001 Yuri Milner, manager of Internet services firm NetBridge, persuaded entrepreneur Igor Linshits to support a merger between Port.Ru and NetBridge.Missing: involvement timeline
  16. [16]
    Software:Mail.Ru - HandWiki
    ... Mail.ru had to seek merger partners. In 2001, Yuri Milner, at the time managing NetBridge (the owner of several internet brands), persuaded the entrepreneur ...Missing: timeline | Show results with:timeline
  17. [17]
    Yuri Milner, Digital Sky Technologies | TIME Tech 40 - Business
    May 29, 2013 · He was one of the earliest and most prominent investors in Russia's Internet industry. In 2005, he founded Digital Sky Technologies (DST) as a ...
  18. [18]
    Facebook Receives Investment from Digital Sky Technologies
    May 26, 2009 · DST is run by its three partners who have complementary backgrounds in operations, investments and finance: Yuri Milner, previously CEO of Mail.
  19. [19]
    How Much Did DST Global Raise? Funding & Key Investors - Clay
    May 23, 2025 · Details: Yuri Milner is a Russian-Israeli entrepreneur and venture capitalist. He is the founder of DST Global and has been instrumental in its ...
  20. [20]
    DST Global: The Quiet Conqueror - by Mario Gabriele - The Generalist
    Dec 19, 2021 · Yuri Milner is no figurehead. Though DST's founder is in his seventh decade, he shows no signs of slowing down. A source close to the firm ...
  21. [21]
    DST Invested Over $500 Million in Facebook - Business Insider
    Dec 9, 2010 · DST's $500 million investment in Facebook underscores the platform's growing influence and potential.
  22. [22]
    DST Global's Deal With Facebook - The New York Times
    Feb 9, 2012 · DST Global, the investment firm founded by the Russian billionaire Yuri Milner, agreed to an extended lockup schedule for its Facebook ...Missing: first details
  23. [23]
    Twitter Said to Raise $400 Million From Russian Billionaire
    Aug 2, 2011 · Twitter Inc., the biggest microblogging service, has raised $400 million in funding from DST Global, the investment fund led by Russian ...Missing: date | Show results with:date
  24. [24]
    Twitter valued at $8bn after large investment | X - The Guardian
    Aug 2, 2011 · Social media site boosted by DST Global's $400m, as value doubles since December and daily traffic triples in a year.
  25. [25]
    PE firms Silver Lake, DST Global to invest in Alibaba - Reuters
    Sep 22, 2011 · Silver Lake and DST Global did not disclose the terms of the transaction but tech blog AllThingsD said the tender offer is worth $1.6 billion.Missing: date | Show results with:date
  26. [26]
    Yuri Milner's DST Global - Where They've Been, Where They Might Go
    Jul 24, 2014 · DST has slowed down its pace to between 3-4 deals per year, after a flurry of investments in 2011 which included future Unicorns Zynga ($329M ...Missing: timeline | Show results with:timeline
  27. [27]
    Yuri Milner's DST Global raises $1.7B for its fifth fund -- without ...
    The DST Global funds continuously invested in leading international Internet companies, including Airbnb, Spotify, Twitter, and Zalando, as well as in ...
  28. [28]
    Yuri Milner's Unparalleled Global Tech Gold-Mining Machine - Forbes
    Mar 25, 2015 · DST has cashed out of Zynga and Groupon, but continues to hold a stake in AirBNB. Milner's big quest in China kicked off all at once in 2011.
  29. [29]
    Meet Altos Labs, Silicon Valley's latest wild bet on living forever
    Sep 4, 2021 · Milner is a Russian-born billionaire who made a fortune on Facebook and Mail.ru and previously started the glitzy black-tie Breakthrough Prizes, ...
  30. [30]
    Jeff Bezos, Yuri Milner-Backed Longevity Startup Hire A-List Leaders
    Jan 21, 2022 · Altos Labs, a longevity startup funded by Jeff Bezos and Yuri Milner, has tapped the chief scientific officer of GSK and multiple Nobel ...
  31. [31]
    Kremlin-owned Firms Linked to Major Investments in Twitter and ...
    Nov 5, 2017 · Paradise Papers leak shows the Russian government quietly held a financial interest in social media giants.
  32. [32]
    Kremlin Cash Behind Billionaire's Twitter and Facebook Investments
    Nov 5, 2017 · Mr. Milner, 55, studied theoretical physics at Moscow State University before moving to the United States, where he attended the Wharton School ...
  33. [33]
    Russia funded Facebook and Twitter investments through Kushner ...
    Nov 5, 2017 · The investments were made through a Russian technology magnate, Yuri Milner, who also holds a stake in a company co-owned by Kushner, Donald ...
  34. [34]
    DST Global letter to LPs denies impropriety in Facebook, Twitter ...
    Nov 8, 2017 · “DST Global is a well known entity in Silicon Valley and a big investor in tech (they have invested significantly in Facebook, Groupon, Zynga, ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  35. [35]
    Russian billionaire Yuri Milner's early backing of Facebook, Twitter ...
    Nov 6, 2017 · He earned a degree in physics from Moscow State University in 1985 but later abandoned physics, studied business at the University of ...
  36. [36]
    Foreign Plutocrats Hold Huge Stakes in U.S. Tech Companies. Does ...
    Nov 6, 2017 · The case of Yuri Milner, like many stories of suspected Russian meddling, is suspicious but not yet conclusive. Milner had a convoluted ...<|separator|>
  37. [37]
    U.S. Wealthiest Russian Yuri Milner Quits Vladimir Putin After ...
    Mar 21, 2022 · Milner says the investment in SpaceX was for about $10 million. He sold his position two years later for $23.56 million. The SpaceX deal ...
  38. [38]
    DST Global's Yuri Milner says he's given up Russian citizenship
    Oct 11, 2022 · The venture capitalist has long had to defend himself and DST Global from allegations of early ties to Russia.Missing: controversies | Show results with:controversies
  39. [39]
    Silicon Valley Tries to Disentangle Itself From Russian Money
    Mar 14, 2022 · DST has taken funding from Russian state-owned VTB Bank, according to documents revealed in the Paradise Papers. After Russia invaded the ...
  40. [40]
    Theoretical physicists win massive awards - Nature
    Jul 31, 2012 · Yuri Milner, who has made his fortune investing in social-media companies, announced the newly created Fundamental Physics Prize this morning.Missing: education | Show results with:education
  41. [41]
    Russian Gazillionaire Lobs Money at Theoretical Physicists - Science
    Milner has personally chosen the nine to receive the inaugural Fundamental Physics Prizes, which were announced today, awarding each of them $3 million - about ...
  42. [42]
    New annual US$3 million Fundamental Physics Prize recognizes ...
    Mar 1, 2012 · Yuri Milner commented: 'I am delighted to announce the launch of the Fundamental Physics Prize and welcome its first recipients. I hope the new ...
  43. [43]
    9 Scientists Win Yuri Milner's Fundamental Physics Prize
    Jul 31, 2012 · Mr. Milner also announced that there would be a $100,000 prize to honor promising young researchers. Advertisement.
  44. [44]
    Alan Guth wins $3 million Fundamental Physics Prize | MIT News
    Jul 31, 2012 · MIT physicist among nine inaugural winners of prize awarded by Russia's Milner Foundation. News Office. Publication Date: July 31, 2012.
  45. [45]
    New annual US$3 million Fundamental Physics Prize recognizes ...
    Yuri Milner commented: "I am delighted to announce the launch of the Fundamental Physics Prize and welcome its first recipients. I hope the new ...
  46. [46]
    Breakthrough Prize announced by Silicon Valley entrepreneurs
    Feb 20, 2013 · Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, Sergey Brin of Google and venture capitalist Yuri Milner set up foundation to reward excellence in life sciences with 11 ...Missing: motivations | Show results with:motivations
  47. [47]
    Breakthrough Initiatives
    The Breakthrough Initiatives are a suite of space science programs funded by the foundation established by Julia and Yuri Milner.Listen · Starshot · Yuri Milner · About
  48. [48]
    Yuri Milner | Technology Investor & Science Philanthropist
    Yuri Milner's investments focus on the following areas: Internet Technology. Yuri is the founder of DST Global, one of the world's leading technology investors ...Fact Sheet · Internet Technology · Science Philanthropy · Ukraine Crisis Response
  49. [49]
    Internet investor Yuri Milner joins with Berkeley in $100 million ...
    Jul 20, 2015 · For the Breakthrough Listen program, UC Berkeley will build high-speed digital electronics and high-bandwidth signal processing instruments to ...
  50. [50]
    Listen - Breakthrough Initiatives
    Breakthrough Listen is the largest ever scientific research program aimed at finding evidence of civilizations beyond Earth. The scope and power of the ...Missing: Yuri Milner
  51. [51]
    Yuri Milner Launches $100 Million Search for Extraterrestrial Life
    Jul 20, 2015 · The endowment—dubbed Breakthrough Listen—will fund telescope time in North America and Australia as well as data processing to look for ...
  52. [52]
    Breakthrough Starshot Project - Breakthrough Initiatives
    Breakthrough Starshot is a $100 million research and engineering program aiming to demonstrate proof of concept for light-propelled nanocrafts.
  53. [53]
    Billionaire backs plan to send pint-sized starships beyond the Solar ...
    Apr 13, 2016 · The project's initial US$100-million budget covers only research and development of such a spacecraft. But Breakthrough Starshot's ultimate goal ...
  54. [54]
    How a Billionaire's Plan to Reach Another Star Fell Apart
    Sep 16, 2025 · Milner and his Breakthrough Initiatives, a group of space science research projects related to life in the universe, were pledging $100 million ...
  55. [55]
    Why Russian Billionaire Yuri Milner Is Spending $100 Million On A ...
    Sep 20, 2017 · Last year Milner funded a $100 million “Breakthrough Starshot” project to test the feasibility of the light-sail approach. He brought on ...
  56. [56]
    Milner Foundation Donates $3 million to Tel Aviv University, Magen ...
    Mar 24, 2020 · The Milner Foundation, founded by renowned tech investor and science philanthropist Yuri Milner and his wife Julia, has donated $3 million to three Israeli ...Missing: humanitarian | Show results with:humanitarian
  57. [57]
    Russian-Israeli billionaire donates $3 million to Israel to fight ...
    Mar 26, 2020 · Russian-Israeli billionaire Yuri Milner donated $3 million through his Milner Foundation to three Israeli institutions working to combat the coronavirus ...Missing: humanitarian | Show results with:humanitarian
  58. [58]
    Milner Foundation donates $3 million to three Israeli institutions
    Mar 24, 2020 · The Milner Foundation, founded by renowned tech investor and science philanthropist Yuri Milner and his wife Julia, has donated $3 million to three Israeli ...Missing: humanitarian | Show results with:humanitarian
  59. [59]
    Milner Foundation donates $3 million to assist Jewish refugees from ...
    Mar 8, 2022 · In the recent past, the Milners have donated $3 million to Israel for COVID-19 research and $10 million to the Wharton School to create ...<|separator|>
  60. [60]
    Milner Foundation donates $3 million to assist Jewish refugees from ...
    Mar 8, 2022 · The emergency funds will support humanitarian efforts to help those fleeing the country in the third week of the Russian military invasion.Missing: response | Show results with:response
  61. [61]
    Russian Jewish billionaire to donate $100 million for Ukrainian ...
    Apr 29, 2022 · Yuri Milner made billions in Silicon Valley with early support ... Russian invasion of Ukraine. If you'd like to comment, join. The Times ...
  62. [62]
    Yuri Milner's Red Line & The Chesa Boudin Money Bomb - Puck
    Mar 15, 2022 · “The Breakthrough Prize Foundation strongly condemns Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its unprovoked and brutal assaults against the ...Missing: response | Show results with:response
  63. [63]
    Silicon Valley Billionaire Milner Renounces Russian Citizenship
    Oct 11, 2022 · Milner's nonprofit Breakthrough Prize Foundation has condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine. My family and I left Russia for good in 2014 ...
  64. [64]
    Yuri and Julia Milner - The Giving Pledge
    Dec 10, 2013 · In creating the Giving Pledge, Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates have not just encouraged us to invest in problem-solving.
  65. [65]
    Eureka Manifesto
    Eureka Manifesto. The mission for our civilization. A book about humanity's place in the Universe and our role in its future, by Yuri Milner.
  66. [66]
    [PDF] the mission for our civilization - Eureka Manifesto
    Yuri Milner is a technology investor and science philanthropist. Born in 1961, he was named after Yuri Gagarin, who ear- lier that year had become the first ...
  67. [67]
    Yuri Milner's Eureka Manifesto - Breakthrough Prize
    Eureka Manifesto is a book written by Yuri Milner, one of the co-founders of the Breakthrough Prize. It makes the case that humanity has a fundamental ...
  68. [68]
    Manifesto - Yuri Milner | Technology Investor & Science Philanthropist
    The manifesto gives his perspective on humanity's place in the Universe, the mission it entails, and the future we could be part of if we embrace this mission.
  69. [69]
    Yuri Milner - Genealogy - Geni
    Oct 11, 2022 · Yuri Milner Born 11 November 1961 (age 58) Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union Nationality Israeli, Russian Alma mater Wharton School of the ...Missing: background childhood
  70. [70]
    Cover Story: Breakthrough Prize Founders Yuri & Julia Milner On ...
    Oct 1, 2018 · Julia had her modelling career in Europe and Japan. I studied at Wharton. Our kids were born in Israel and the US. We live in Silicon Valley. We ...
  71. [71]
    This is YURI MILNER: Billionaire, DST Global Founder, and Yacht ...
    Wife: Julia Milner ; Children: 3 daughters ; Residence: Los Angeles, California, USA ; Private Jet: Pls send a message if you have info ; Yacht, Andromeda ...
  72. [72]
    Billionaire Yuri Milner 'Overpaid' On $100 Million Mansion By 100 ...
    Jul 5, 2012 · Nestled among 17 hilltop acres in Los Altos Hills, Calif., the French chateau-style mansion encompasses 25,545 square feet of living space ...
  73. [73]
    Yuri Milner buys $100 million Los Altos Hills home - SFGATE
    Mar 31, 2011 · Milner, a Russian billionaire investor, has purchased a 25,000-square-foot mansion in Silicon Valley for $100 million, one of the highest prices ...
  74. [74]
    Inside Yuri Milner's $100 Million Silicon Valley Mansion - Forbes
    Mar 31, 2011 · See photos of the Russian billionaire tech investor's new Palo Alto pad.<|separator|>
  75. [75]
    Science Philanthropy - Yuri Milner
    Yuri began his career as a theoretical physicist, and science remains his great passion. In 2012 he and his wife Julia, together with Sergey Brin, ...Missing: education | Show results with:education
  76. [76]
    World's Richest People 2025: The Top Billionaires Globally
    Sep 18, 2025 · CEOWORLD reveals the richest billionaires in 2025 with net worths surpassing $200 billion ... Yuri Milner, Tech investments, $6.9 B, Israel.
  77. [77]
    Silicon Valley Billionaire Yuri Milner Is Mystery Figure Behind $70 ...
    Oct 2, 2023 · He's listed on documents filed by MFRD Property Holdings as the person with “significant” control over the entity that acquired the apartment.
  78. [78]
    Silicon Valley billionaire Yuri Milner renounces Russian citizenship
    Oct 14, 2022 · Yuri Milner, a Jewish tech investor, Bay Area resident and Israeli citizen with an estimated net worth of $7.3 billion who is often called the richest Russian ...
  79. [79]
    Billionaire investor Yuri Milner renounces Russian citizenship - Axios
    Oct 11, 2022 · "My family and I left Russia for good in 2014, after the Russian annexation of Crimea," he said.
  80. [80]
    Opinion | Yuri Milner's Russian Clapback - The New York Times
    Mar 17, 2022 · A Times investigation in 2017 detailed how a series of shell companies backing Milner's company, now known as DST Global, were linked to Russian ...Missing: controversies | Show results with:controversies
  81. [81]
    https://www.forbes.com/midas/#71729ed25650
  82. [82]
    http://fortune.com/worlds-greatest-leaders/yuri-milner-40/
  83. [83]
    Awards and Recognition - Yuri Milner
    Awards and Recognition. Yuri came in at number 52 on Forbes' 2018 Midas List of the best dealmakers in hi-tech and life sciences venture capital.Missing: prizes | Show results with:prizes
  84. [84]
    Inside the 2025 Breakthrough Prize: How Yuri Milner's "Oscars of ...
    Jun 10, 2025 · The Breakthrough Prize represents a bold reimagining of how scientific achievement is recognized and celebrated in our culture.<|separator|>
  85. [85]
    Where Science Meets Celebrity: The Cultural Impact of Yuri Milner's ...
    May 28, 2025 · The Breakthrough Prize ceremony dramatically reimagines this paradigm by placing scientists center stage, with Hollywood stars serving as their heralds.Missing: motivations | Show results with:motivations
  86. [86]
    Julia and Yuri Milner donate $5 Million to the Jewish Agency's Fund
    Oct 13, 2023 · Julia and Yuri Milner donate $5 Million to the Jewish Agency's Fund for the Victims of Terror. Gift from the foundation established by Julia and ...
  87. [87]
    Billionaire Tracker: Mike Bloomberg, Yuri Milner And The Other Ultra ...
    Oct 11, 2023 · Billionaire Yuri Milner, who was born in Russia but has long been a citizen of Israel, has promised $10 million in donations to Israeli humanitarian groups.
  88. [88]
    Yuri Milner says he was not working for Russia to turn social media ...
    Nov 5, 2017 · In the 2000s I had helped to grow Mail.ru into one of the largest Internet companies in Europe. Later on, together with partners from Finland, ...
  89. [89]
    Biggest science prize takes web tycoon from social networks to ...
    Jul 31, 2012 · Yuri Milner awards make nine fundamental physics pioneers rich. But founder denies new prizes are Nobels 2.0.<|separator|>