$50 billion Tiger Global just turned 25 years old. Here are some of the famous people who have given the firm advice over the years.

The hedge fund has gotten advice for ballerina Misty Copeland, Olympian Michael Phelps, restauranteur Danny Meyer, and more over the years.

  • $50 billion Tiger Global turned 25 years old at the start of March.
  • In a recent letter to investors, the stockpicking giant outlined its mission and principles.
  • The firm also relayed the advice shared by big names who have visited the manager over the years.

A quarter-century ago, Chase Coleman's firm started trading with $42 million and a name, Tiger Technology, that it would soon sunset.

The now-$50 billion manager, known as Tiger Global, sent a letter to its backers at the start of March reflecting on its 25 years of investing.

It outlined the firm's straightforward principles and beliefs — such as returns are "our North Star," find the winners and losers of "technological and societal shifts," and be patient and trust the process — as well as pieces of advice the manager has picked up from a star-studded list of guest speakers it's tapped over the years.

Below is a rundown of what this list of speakers, including ballerina Misty Copeland, hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, and Shake Shack founder Danny Meyer, shared with the firm's leadership.

Tiger Global declined to comment. A recent letter to investors notes that a dollar invested in the firm's flagship hedge fund at inception would be worth $28 after fees at the end of 2025, compared to less than $9 for the S&P 500.

So far this year, the firm's flagship hedge fund is down 3.4% through February, a person close to the New York-based firm told Business Insider. The S&P 500 was up just under 1% through the same stretch. The manager's crossover fund, which includes stakes in public and private companies, has fared better, however, and is up 2.1% through February.

The outside speakers are listed in order of appearance in Tiger's letter.

Bob Rotella, sports psychologist

Bob Rotella

Bob Rotella, the renowned sports psychologist.

The letter calls Rotella, who has written several books about golf and worked with pros such as Davis Love and Padraig Harrington, the firm's "favorite sports psychologist." The lesson Rotella shared with the firm is to emphasize the process over the outcome.

"When we evaluate our own investments, we talk about 'good process, bad outcome' or 'bad process, good outcome' to assess the merits of our underlying investment process as opposed to the outcomes which can be influenced by luck," the letter reads.

The firm has likened itself to a Rotella client, pro golfer Rory McIlroy, in the past, Business Insider previously reported.

Jim Collins, author

Jim Collins speaking at an event

The author of management and career-focused books like "Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap … and Others Don't," Collins stressed a process focused on consistency and steadiness when he spoke to the Tiger team.

The letter says Collins used the race to the South Pole in 1911 South Pole, which Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen won with a steady pace regardless of conditions, to emphasize the importance of a consistent output. Collins' book "Great by Choice" uses the race in Antarctica as a recurring theme for his management research.

Nick Saban, football coach

Nick Saban speak on College Gameday in a suit and tie

Saban, the former Alabama football coach who dominated for decades before retiring in early 2024, told the firm that there are two choices: the pain of discipline or the pain of disappointment.

It's a lesson that focuses on a rigorous preparation process so you can execute when it's time. Those who are unprepared often end up disappointed.

"If you want to be a champion, expect to be uncomfortable," the letter said in reference to Saban's talk.

Misty Copeland, ballerina

Misty Copeland poses before an event in a black dress

Misty Copeland is one of the most acclaimed dancers in the world.

Copeland is known for being the first Black principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre, a feat she achieved in part by being challenged and inspired by her peers.

"You also absorb strength from others around you in training and on stage, and that propels you," the letter says Copeland told Tiger employees.

The firm has incorporated this advice by "maintaining high talent density" and vetting new hires deeply.

"When a new colleague joins our team, we hope they will wear the Tiger Global jersey with pride for years to come. We view it as the beginning of a career, not a job," the letter states. The manager now has 160 employees.

Adam Grant, author and professor

Adam Grant speaks on stage in a grey blazer and a black shirt

Adam Grant teaches at Wharton.

Grant, a professor at Penn's Wharton Business School and the author of books such as "Hidden Potential: The Science of Acheiving Great Things," helped the firm prioritize the team over the individual.

The organizational psychologist "helped us understand the nature of givers, takers, and matchers as organizational archetypes," the letter reads. Tiger found that those with a "you first" mindset — as opposed to a "me first" mindset — make the best team members.

Danny Meyer, restauranteur

Danny Meyer poses on a red carpet

Danny Meyer is the founder of Union Square Hospitality Group.

The owner of the Shake Shack chain, as well as New York hotspots like Manhatta and Gramercy Tavern, Meyer knows the service industry well. His time with the Tiger team "taught us to see investing as a service business," the letter states.

The fund wants "people to want to work with us," and Meyer's advice helped the manager understand that "culture is the foundation for building an investment platform."

Michael Phelps, Olympic swimmer

Michael Phelps poses in front of the Eiffel Tower

Michael Phelps won 23 Olympic gold medals in his swimming career.

The most-decorated Olympian ever, Phelps was never complacent in his gold-medal-filled swimming career. The lesson Tiger Global took away from Phelps was simple: "If you're not getting better, just remember that someone else is."

"Continuous improvement is a mindset, as there is always another level hard work can help us achieve," the letter reads.

Wayne Gretzky, hockey legend

Wayne Gretzky stands on stage at the World Cup draw

Wayne Gretzky's nickname is the Great One.

Even the greatest hockey player of all time had bad days. But Gretzky, who spoke to Tiger Global, showed up every day regardless.

"There is no such thing as a slump. There are bad days, but the next night I'm at the rink ready to play and ready to win," the letter says, Gretzky told the firm.

Tiger writes that it wants to get stronger through transitions, whether they're macroeconomic shifts or internal team changes.

"The team that has confidence they will get stronger through each transition is often a team that achieves excellence," the letter reads.

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