Tech's New Kingmakers

(Business 2.0 Magazine) -- 1. NETWORKED INVESTOR

Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn

Startups: Digg, Facebook, Flickr, Six Apart, Tagged, Wikia

Busy with his own startup, but has pitch meetings on Sundays. You'll need a LinkedIn referral to get one.

2. SOCIAL BUTTERFLY

Jeff Clavier, SoftTech VC

Startups: Buzznet, Dogster, Edgeio, Mashery, Wikio

Has a proven knack for helping entrepreneurs turn passionate user networks into thriving businesses.

3. HELPING HAND

David Hornik, August Capital

Startups: Done Right, PayCycle, Six Apart, VideoEgg

Not as interested in seed-stage companies, but the go-to guy for a substantial round of funding to get you to the next level.

4, 5. 2.0 EAST

Brad Burnham and Fred Wilson, Union Square Ventures

Startups: Del.icio.us, Etsy, FeedBurner, Indeed

Wilson is the bigger name but says Burnham is the brains behind New York's top VC shop.

6. THE MENTOR

Ram Shriram, Sherpalo

Startups: Cleartrip, Google, Platial, Pod-Show, StumbleUpon

Google board member Shriram doesn't invest as often as some of his counterparts, but when he does, it gets attention.

7. EVERYONE'S ANGEL

Ron Conway, Angel Investors

Startups: BuzzLogic, Digg, Google, StumbleUpon, Wikia

Averages an amazing 60 deals a year. The amounts are modest, but startups knock on his door first.

8. MR. BIG

Michael Moritz, Sequoia Capital

Startups: Eons, Google, Kayak.com, PayPal, Plaxo, Yahoo, Zappos.com

The most powerful VC in the Valley today. Only megamarket potential will get you in his door.

9, 10. WONDER TWINS

James Slavet and David Sze, Greylock Partners

Startups: Digg, Facebook, Farecast, Glimpse, LinkedIn, Revision3

They are nothing if not aggressive. Win them over and they'll go all in.

11. FREE THINKER

Peter Thiel, Founders Fund

Startups: Facebook, Geni, LinkedIn, Slide

The PayPal co-founder and outspoken Libertarian leans toward early-stage investments and personally backs nonprofit ventures.

12. THE OUTSIDER

Josh Kopelman, First Round Capital

Startups: Del.icio.us, Krugle, LinkedIn, Mashery, Riya, StumbleUpon, Wikia

Based in Philadelphia, he keeps a low profile but still manages to get in on all the hot deals.

13. EURO CONNECTION

Danny Rimer, Index Ventures

Startups: Fon, King.com, Last.fm, Skype, Spot Runner

London-based Rimer has become the "it" VC for Europe, but he invests anywhere if he likes the company.