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Ashton Kutcher: From Hollywood Heartthrob to Tech Investor Extraordinaire Ashton Kutcher's transformation from a small-town Iowa boy to a Hollywood star and successful tech investor is a testament to his versatility and business acumen. Born in 1978, Kutcher's journey began when he won the "Fresh Faces of Iowa" modeling competition in 1997, leading to a successful modeling career in New York, Paris, and Milan. His acting breakthrough came in 1998 with "That '70s Show," which ran for eight seasons until 2006. Kutcher's popularity soared, and he starred in hit films like "Dude, Where's My Car?" (2000) and "The Butterfly Effect" (2004). However, it was Kutcher's foray into the tech world that truly set him apart. In 2009, he became the first Twitter user to reach 1 million followers, sparking his interest in tech investments. In 2010, he co-founded A-Grade Investments with Guy Oseary and Ron Burkle, making early bets on companies like Uber, Airbnb, and Spotify. A-Grade's success was staggering, turning $30 million into $250 million in six years. Notable wins include: Uber: A $500,000 seed investment in 2010 grew 100-fold by 2018. Airbnb: Invested in 2011 at a $1.3 billion valuation; by 2020, it reached $18 billion. Spotify: Early investment in 2010; market cap hit $54 billion by 2021. Building on this success, Kutcher and Oseary founded Sound Ventures in 2015, raising $100 million for their first fund. They've since invested in companies like Robinhood (went public at $32 billion valuation in 2021) and Acorns (valued at $2.2 billion in 2021). Kutcher's journey hasn't been without challenges. He faced personal tragedy and testified in a high-profile murder trial in 2019. His investments, particularly in Uber, have also faced scrutiny during company controversies. Beyond investing, Kutcher co-founded Thorn in 2012, a non-profit combating child sexual abuse. By 2021, Thorn's tools had helped identify over 17,000 child trafficking victims. As of 2023, Kutcher's net worth is estimated at $200 million, largely from his tech investments. His story illustrates the power of leveraging fame, embracing new technologies, and continuously learning in the fast-paced world of tech investing. Stay Updated. Stay Informed. Stay Ahead. Share the Medial App with your network, colleagues, and friends. Let's brainstorm, discuss together and help each other achieve our goals. And don't forget to rate us on the iOS App Store and Google Play Store to help us reach even more amazing people like you.