Mike Markkula
| Mike Markkula | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Armas Clifford Markkula Jr. February 11, 1942 Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Alma mater | University of Southern California |
| Known for | CEO of Apple Computer, Inc. |
Armas Clifford "Mike" Markkula Jr. (born February 11, 1942) is an American entrepreneur who was an angel investor and second CEO of Apple Computer, Inc., providing early critical funding and managerial support.
Markkula was introduced to Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak when they were looking for funding to manufacture the Apple II personal computer they had developed, after having sold some units of the first version of this computer, the Apple I. With his guidance and funding, Apple ceased to be a partnership and was incorporated as a company.
Dermot Mulroney portrayed him in the 2013 film Jobs and Jeffrey Nordling portrayed him in the 1999 TNT film, Pirates of Silicon Valley.
Mike Markkula's great-grandfather Isak Ferdinand Markkula was born in Sievi, Finland. He and his wife moved to the United States in 1865 or 1883, depending on the source.
Markkula's first name Armas and last name Markkula are traditional Finnish names. His first name Armas means "dear" or "beloved" in the Finnish language.
Markkula received Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California.
He made millions on he acquired as a marketing manager for Fairchild Semiconductor and Intel, and retired at 32.
He was lured out of retirement by Steve Jobs, who was referred to him by Regis McKenna and venture capitalist Don Valentine. Valentine—who after meeting the young, unkempt Jobs asked McKenna, "Why did you send me this renegade from the human race?"—was not interested in funding Apple, but mentioned Jobs' new company to Markkula. Jobs visited him and convinced Markkula of the market for the Apple II and personal computers in general. In 1977, Markkula brought his business expertise along with US$250,000 ($80,000 as an equity investment in the company and $170,000 as a loan) and became a one-third owner of Apple and employee number 3.
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