Chase Coleman III: The Quiet Billionaire Behind Tiger Global’s Rise

Charles Payson “Chase” Coleman III, born on June 1, 1975, in Glen Head, Long Island, is an emblematic figure in the world of finance. Raised in an affluent environment, his father, C. Payson Coleman Jr., was a partner at a prominent New York law firm, and his mother, Kim Coleman, operated an interior design business. Coleman’s lineage traces back to Pieter Stuyvesant, the last Dutch governor of New Amsterdam, underscoring a heritage steeped in history.

Educated at Deerfield Academy and later at Williams College, Coleman graduated in 1997 with a degree in Spanish and Economics. During his college years, he showcased leadership as the co-captain of the lacrosse team. His foray into the financial sector began shortly after graduation when he joined Tiger Management, the hedge fund led by Julian Robertson. Their relationship was more than professional; Coleman had been childhood friends with Robertson’s son, Spencer. Recognizing Coleman’s potential, Robertson entrusted him with over $25 million to manage when Tiger Management closed in 2000, positioning Coleman among the notable “Tiger Cubs”.

In 2001, leveraging this opportunity, Coleman founded Tiger Global Management. Under his stewardship, the firm evolved from a hedge fund into a diversified investment powerhouse, managing approximately $50 billion across public and private equity strategies. Tiger Global’s investment philosophy centers on identifying companies that leverage technological innovation, leading to early investments in giants like Facebook, LinkedIn, JD.com, Flipkart, Spotify, ByteDance, Uber, Nubank, Stripe, Toast, Snowflake, and AI leaders such as OpenAI, Databricks, and Scale.

Coleman’s investment acumen has not gone unnoticed. In 2019, Forbes ranked him #458 among the world’s billionaires with a net worth of $4.5 billion. By July 2023, his net worth had surged to $8.5 billion, placing him as the 258th richest person globally . Despite his immense wealth, Coleman maintains a low profile, rarely granting interviews and preferring his investments to speak on his behalf.

Beyond his financial endeavors, Coleman is deeply involved in philanthropy. In 2021, he formalized Tiger Global’s foundation, Tiger Global Impact Ventures, to advance the firm’s philanthropic activities. He also co-chairs Coleman Family Ventures, focusing on impactful areas like early childhood, healthcare, and climate. Additionally, he serves on the boards of the Tiger Foundation, the Hospital for Special Surgery, and holds advisory roles at Williams College and Deerfield Academy.

Coleman’s personal life is equally distinguished. In 2005, he married Stephanie Ercklentz, a Wellesley College graduate with a background in investment banking and marketing. Stephanie was featured in the documentary “Born Rich,” highlighting the lives of heirs to vast fortunes. The couple resides in New York City with their four children. Their real estate portfolio includes properties in Southampton, Fifth Avenue, and Palm Beach, Florida, reflecting their refined tastes and substantial means.

Politically, Coleman has contributed to both Republican and Democratic candidates, including donations to the National Republican Senatorial Committee, Mitt Romney’s presidential campaign, and Democratic figures like Andrew Cuomo and Charles Schumer .

Chase Coleman III’s journey from a privileged upbringing to becoming a titan in the investment world is marked by strategic foresight, disciplined investing, and a commitment to philanthropy. His story exemplifies how traditional foundations can be leveraged to create innovative and impactful ventures in the modern financial landscape.