James 'Jim' H. Clark is an American businessman, the self-made billionaire co-founder of Silicon Graphics, Inc. (SGI) and Netscape Communications Corporation. Born in Texas in 1944, his early life was marked by adversity: he dropped out of high school after being suspended and spent four years in the Navy.

Clark credits the Navy with providing the discipline and structure that led to his academic awakening. He went on to earn a Master's degree in Physics and a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Utah. His career is defined by translating elite computer graphics research into transformative commercial products, initially as an associate professor at Stanford University.

• Silicon Graphics, Inc. (SGI) (Founder): The pioneering company that developed UNIX-based computers with fast graphics rendering hardware (used for visual effects).
• Netscape Communications Corporation (Co-founder): The company that commercialized the web browser and is credited with launching the Internet boom of the 1990s.
• Early Life: He dropped out of high school and served four years in the U.S. Navy (which he credits with his success).
• Academic Background: Holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Utah.

James Clark's strategic genius was his serial founding of disruptive technology companies. 1982: SGI. He formed Silicon Graphics, Inc. (SGI) with graduate students, building the world leader in 3D imaging and movie visual effects. 1994: Netscape. After a falling out with SGI, Clark and Marc Andreessen (creator of the Mosaic browser) founded Netscape. Netscape's 1995 IPO (selling to AOL in 1998 for $1 billion) is famously credited with launching the Internet boom.

His financial expertise is also notable: in 1999, he launched myCFO, a company designed to help wealthy people manage their fortunes (sold to Harris Bank in 2002). Clark is also a major patron of the arts and an active sailing enthusiast, even co-producing the Academy Award-winning documentary, The Cove (2009). His wealth is secured by the massive capital gains from his tech ventures and his ongoing investments in the technology sector.

James Clark's social impact is structural, stemming from his role in pioneering computer graphics (SGI) and digital communication (Netscape), fundamentally shaping the computing and internet landscape. His founding of the Stanford Center for Entrepreneurial Studies contributes to the development of future tech leaders.

His personal philanthropy supports various educational and community initiatives. His structural contribution is tied to his belief in technology as a disruptive force and his role in launching the Internet's commercialization.

James Clark maintains the casual, high-IQ style of a technology founder. His attire is often professional yet relaxed, reflecting his academic and entrepreneurial background. His aesthetic is one of intellectual confidence and non-conformity.

Residing in Florida and Silicon Valley, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to technology creation, venture investment, and his passion for sailing and filmmaking.