Yuri Milner

Yuri Milner is a Soviet-born Israeli physicist, entrepreneur, and the founder and Managing Partner of DST Global, a leading technology investment firm with a portfolio including Facebook, Zynga, and Groupon. He previously co-founded and served as chairperson of the internet enterprise VK, formerly known as Mail-ru Group, after launching NetBridge to adapt US internet models like portals and e-commerce. Beyond his internet investments, he is a major science philanthropist who co-founded the Breakthrough Prizes in 2012 to issue the world's largest scientific awards. He also launched the Breakthrough Initiatives, which feature the $100 million Breakthrough Listen project and the 2016 Breakthrough Starshot program developed alongside Stephen Hawking. Milner currently focuses on funding fundamental physics, life sciences, mathematics, and space exploration research while continuing to back major internet companies and fintech launches like Habito.