Managing director, Sequoia CapitalRank: 4Why he matters: Sequoia has edged out Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers in Silicon Valley's venture capital hierarchy, and Moritz is the chief reason. Every VC outfit has money, but under Moritz's leadership, Sequoia has shown that it has the connections, the smarts, and the cojones to build large, lasting companies.
Google? Sequoia was an early investor. PayPal? Sequoia was there. YouTube? Yup, that one too. Thanks in no small part to Moritz's track record, Sequoia often gets first dibs on hot new startups. "Always available for thoughtful, hungry, and imaginative people" is how Moritz describes himself on his LinkedIn profile. Believe it.
Meet 50 Who Matter winner Gina Bianchini. Her site, Ning, lets anyone be a social networking mogul. (more) 
