Robert Metcalfe Net Worth (Updated 2026).
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Robert Metcalfe, a name synonymous with the internet as we know it, embarked on his career in the pulsating heart of technological innovation, Xerox PARC, in the early 1970s. Here, he was part of a team that developed the Ethernet, a networking technology that would soon become the backbone of the internet. Metcalfe’s role was pivotal, as he co-invented Ethernet and also coined the term “internet” itself, referring to the interconnected networks that were beginning to emerge.
As Ethernet gained traction and became the standard for local area networks, Metcalfe’s fame grew in parallel. In 1979, he co-founded 3Com Corporation, a networking company that brought Ethernet to the masses, making it affordable and accessible for businesses and homes alike. Metcalfe’s vision and relentless pursuit of connectivity transformed the way we communicate and share information today.
**Robert Metcalfe’s Current Net Worth (2025)**
As of 2025, Robert Metcalfe’s net worth is estimated to be around $100 million. This figure is based on the latest available information and reflects his successful career and investments in the tech industry.
**Career**
Robert Metcalfe is an American computer scientist and entrepreneur, best known for inventing Ethernet. He co-founded 3Com Corporation in 1979, which became a leading provider of networking solutions. Metcalfe served as the company’s CEO from 1982 to 1990. He later joined the Polaris Venture Partners as a venture capitalist, focusing on early-stage tech companies.
**Other Ventures**
Metcalfe has been involved in various other ventures throughout his career. He co-founded the Metcalfe & Company venture capital firm in 1995 and served as its managing director until 2001. He also co-founded the venture capital firm Polaris Venture Partners in 2000 and served as its general partner until 2008. Additionally, Metcalfe has been a professor of innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of Texas at Austin since 2002.
**Assets**
Robert Metcalfe’s assets primarily include his equity in various tech companies, real estate, and investments in venture capital funds. His most significant asset is his stake in Ethernet Technology Corporation, which holds the patents for Ethernet technology. He also owns properties in Massachusetts and Texas. Metcalfe’s art collection, featuring works by artists like Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, is another notable asset.
**Annual Income**
Robert Metcalfe’s annual income is primarily derived from his investments and equity in tech companies. As a venture capitalist, he receives a share of the profits from the successful startups he invests in. Additionally, he earns income from his role as a professor at the University of Texas at Austin. Metcalfe’s exact annual income is not publicly disclosed.
Frequently Asked Questions about Robert Metcalfe
1. What is Robert Metcalfe’s net worth?
Robert Metcalfe’s net worth is estimated to be around $1.1 billion.
2. How did Robert Metcalfe make his fortune?
Metcalfe co-invented the Ethernet networking technology, which is the foundation of modern internet connectivity. He also co-founded 3Com Corporation, a networking company.
3. What is Robert Metcalfe’s role in the invention of Ethernet?
Metcalfe, along with David Boggs, invented Ethernet in 1973 while working at Xerox PARC. They developed it as a way to connect computers in a local area network (LAN).
4. When was 3Com Corporation founded?
3Com Corporation was founded in 1979 by Metcalfe, along with Howard Salwen and Bruce Borden.
5. What happened to 3Com Corporation?
3Com was acquired by Hewlett-Packard (HP) in 2010. HP later spun off its enterprise division, including the 3Com assets, into a new company called H3C Group.
6. What is Robert Metcalfe’s educational background?
Metcalfe earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 1968. He also holds a Master of Science degree in Computer Science from Harvard University.
7. Has Robert Metcalfe received any awards or recognitions?
Yes, Metcalfe has received numerous awards, including the Marconi Prize in 2003, the IEEE Alexander Graham Bell Medal in 2004, and the ACM Turing Award in 2011.
8. What is the Metcalfe’s Law?
Metcalfe’s Law is a concept formulated by Metcalfe in 1993, which states that the value of a telecommunications network is proportional to the square of the number of connected users of the system (n^2).
9. What is Robert Metcalfe’s involvement in venture capital?
Metcalfe is a venture capitalist and has invested in several successful startups, including Polaris Venture Partners and Draper Fisher Jurvetson (DFJ).
10. What is Robert Metcalfe’s current role?
Metcalfe is currently a professor of innovation and entrepreneurship at the University of Texas at Austin. He also serves as a venture partner at Polaris Venture Partners.
