Who is Ken Howery: Tech investor tied to Trump’s Greenland plan and Musk’s ventures

Trump has expressed a desire to purchase Greenland, and Howery, in his new role, will likely play a key part in handling the delicate negotiations. (Image creadit: NYT/Shutterstock)

Ken Howery, a well-known venture capitalist from Silicon Valley, has built a career largely out of the public eye. Despite his preference for discretion, Howery now finds himself at the centre of two high-profile political storylines tied to the Trump administration.

Silicon Valley Success

Howery is best known for his role in the creation of PayPal, the online payment system that transformed the tech landscape. Along with Peter Thiel and Elon Musk, Howery helped build PayPal into one of the most influential companies in Silicon Valley. After PayPal, he co-founded Founders Fund, a leading venture capital firm that has supported some of the biggest names in tech, including Facebook, SpaceX, and Airbnb.

Though Howery has had considerable success, he remains a relatively low-profile figure compared to his more outspoken peers, Thiel and Musk. While Thiel and Musk have gained fame for their strong opinions and public personas, Howery’s career has been defined by a quieter approach, focusing more on investment and private business dealings.

Ambassador to Denmark

In 2024, Howery was nominated by President Donald Trump to be the US ambassador to Denmark. His appointment is significant because it places him at the centre of a geopolitical debate over Greenland, a territory of Denmark that the US has shown interest in acquiring. Trump has expressed a desire to purchase Greenland, and Howery, in his new role, will likely play a key part in handling the delicate negotiations.

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Howery previously served as US ambassador to Sweden during Trump’s first term, where he defended Trump’s policies and worked on maintaining diplomatic relations with European countries. His experience in Sweden will be helpful as he navigates Denmark’s firm stance against selling Greenland. Despite the challenges ahead, Howery is tasked with managing this complex situation while representing US interests in Denmark.

A Private Life with Public Connections

Outside of his professional life, Howery is known for his adventurous spirit. According to The New York Times, he enjoys travelling and has visited nearly 100 countries, engaging in activities like kiteboarding, surfing, and yacht racing. He is also known for hosting extravagant parties, such as a birthday celebration at a castle in Stockholm and a Halloween event in Transylvania, the NYT report adds.

Despite his adventurous side, Howery remains a private individual. He has maintained a close relationship with Elon Musk, offering support with business dealings and personal matters. However, he has kept his friendship with Musk low-key and does not seek public attention for their connection.

Political Involvement

Howery has become more politically active in recent years, especially since the Trump administration came into power. He is a member of the Rockbridge Network, a group of Republican donors with ties to Silicon Valley, and has supported Trump’s political efforts with significant financial contributions.