Kenneth 'Ken' Gerard Langone is an American businessman, the self-made billionaire Co-founder of The Home Depot (NYSE: HD) and a major venture capitalist. Born in Roslyn Heights, New York, in 1935, his early life was marked by a working-class background; his father was a plumber and a security guard.

Langone earned a B.A. from Bucknell University (1957) and an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business (1960). His career began in finance, where he was mentored by Ross Perot, who appointed him President of Perot's Electronic Data Systems (EDS). His philosophy centers on self-reliance, corporate culture, and high-impact philanthropy in medical research.

• The Home Depot (Co-founder): The core publicly traded asset, the largest home improvement retailer in the world. He owned a small percentage of the company at its IPO.
• Investment Banking: He founded the boutique investment bank Invemed Associates in 1974.
• EDS (Former President): He was President of Ross Perot's Electronic Data Systems (EDS) at age 34.
• Philanthropy: He is a major donor to NYU Langone Health (donating $100 million for medical school tuition) and The Home Depot Foundation.

Ken Langone's strategic genius was his ability to identify and capitalize on market gaps. 1978: Home Depot. He helped Bernie Marcus and Arthur Blank secure the financing and served as a key strategic partner in the founding of The Home Depot. His initial investment was $700,000, and he became the architect of the company's IPO in 1981.

His structural contribution is immense: pioneering the big box home improvement retail model that transformed the industry. His personal philanthropy is monumental: he committed $100 million to ensure free tuition for all medical students at NYU Langone Health (which is named in his honor). His wealth is secured by his successful venture capital track record and his long-term stake in the publicly traded The Home Depot.

Ken Langone is a major global philanthropist. His structural social impact is tied to The Home Depot's role in transforming the home improvement industry and his commitment to medical education and healthcare. His $100 million donation to NYU Langone Health (which offers free tuition) is a massive structural contribution to democratizing access to medical education and addressing healthcare costs.

His structural contribution is tied to his belief in entrepreneurship and the American Dream, inspiring others through his rags-to-riches story.

Ken Langone maintains the professional, composed style of a financial executive. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored suits. His aesthetic reflects stability and immense corporate authority, typical of a pioneer in investment banking and retail.

Residing in New York City and Florida, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to investment banking, corporate governance, and high-impact medical philanthropy.