Apple co-founder Steve Jobs’ inspiring words about death continue to resonate, highlighting its inevitability and the profound impact it has on our lives. In a moving address at Stanford University in 2005, Jobs stated, “No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don’t want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share.

No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be because death is very likely the single best invention of life. It is life’s change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now, the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away.”

Dealing with the loss of a close family member, especially a parent, is an arduous challenge. The death of a loved one can profoundly alter the course of our lives. The tale of Reed Jobs, son of the late Steve Jobs, who succumbed to complications from cancer, brings to the forefront the realization that life can change drastically in an instant, irrespective of one’s privileged upbringing, as death does not discriminate between the haves and have-nots. Reed Jobs aspired to be a doctor, but his life took an unexpected turn after his father’s passing.

Recently, Reed Jobs made headlines by announcing the launch of a venture firm that has already raised a staggering $200 million, with a primary focus on innovative cancer treatments. This 31-year-old entrepreneur is expanding upon his work at the philanthropic organization, Emerson Collective, founded by his mother, Laurene Powell Jobs, as reported by DealBook. Reed’s dedication to finding groundbreaking solutions for cancer treatment reflects his personal journey and commitment to making a positive impact in the world of healthcare.

Contents show

How Father’s Death Pushed Reed Jobs To Launch VC Firm

During that time, Reed Jobs was pursuing his undergraduate studies at Stanford University with the aspiration of becoming a doctor. However, the demise of his father had a profound impact on him, prompting a shift in his academic focus. He decided to change his major from oncology to history.

In 2014, Reed Jobs successfully completed his studies and graduated from Stanford University with an honors degree in history and international security. Despite his change in direction, Reed’s passion for healthcare remained intact. Subsequently, he pursued a master’s degree and later assumed a leading role in Emerson’s healthcare division.

Emphasizing oncology, Reed Jobs and his team dedicated themselves to expediting the discovery and application of cancer research for the betterment and empowerment of patients’ lives. Their efforts were directed toward finding solutions to combat this debilitating disease.

Also Read: Meet Bettina Dorfmann, World’s First ‘Barbie Doctor’

Reed Jobs’ journey showcases the profound impact of personal experiences on one’s career path and how dedication to the field of healthcare can drive significant advancements in the fight against cancer.

‘Never Wanted To Be A Venture Capitalist’

Reed Jobs, the son of late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, has recently founded the Yosemite VC firm, a venture capital enterprise named after the national park where his parents tied the knot. The firm has successfully secured an impressive funding of $200 million from various investors and institutions, counting renowned venture capitalist John Doerr, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Rockefeller University, and MIT among its backers.

In a heartfelt statement, Reed shared the personal motivation behind his venture. He revealed that he lost his father to cancer during his time at Stanford, where he was pursuing pre-med studies with the aspiration of becoming a doctor to heal people. However, the tragic loss of his father made it exceptionally challenging for him to continue on that path.

“I had never ever wanted to be a venture capitalist. But I realised that when you are actually incubating something and putting it together, you can make a tremendous difference in what assets are part of that, what direction it’s going to take, and what the scientific focus is going to be,” Reed expressed, explaining his change of career direction.

Yosemite VC Firm will operate as a for-profit business while maintaining a donor-advised fund, which will facilitate the support and promotion of innovative ideas. The firm’s mission is to foster groundbreaking advancements in various fields.

Beyond his entrepreneurial pursuits, Reed Jobs has proven to be an active philanthropist and venture investor. His philanthropic endeavors include several competitive grant programs in collaboration with leading research institutions in the US and the UK. Additionally, he is actively engaged in establishing a nonprofit organization aimed at housing altruistically donated patient genomic and clinical data. This data will be made available to researchers across the United States upon request, furthering scientific discoveries and medical breakthroughs.

With a remarkable vision and meaningful initiatives, Reed Jobs is making his mark not only in the business world but also in the realms of philanthropy and scientific research. His dedication to making a positive impact on society echoes the legacy of his visionary father.