Will Barack Obama become a venture capitalist?

As President Barack Obama’s second term winds down, it’s time for the commander in chief to think about life after the White House. Bill Clinton moved his family to Chappaqua, New York, started a foundation, wrote a few books, gave some speeches, and now he’s ostensibly campaigning for his wife. George W. Bush founded the Bush Institution and took up painting portraits of dogs and Vladimir Putin__ as a hobby. Obama, it seems, could take a less traditional route, and leave Washington, D.C., for Sand Hill Road. Yes, the 44th president of the United States may very well become a venture capitalist when his second term ends in January 2017.

And why not? In an interview with Bloomberg, Obama discussed his affinity for the private sector, and specifically Silicon Valley. “The conversations I have with Silicon Valley and with venture capital pull together my interests in science and organization in a way I find really satisfying,” he said. “The skill set of starting my presidential campaigns—and building the kinds of teams that we did and marketing ideas—I think would be the same kinds of skills that I would enjoy exercising in the private sector.”

Not only would venture capital be a completely appropriate post-presidency career move for Obama, but it’s the perfect post-presidency vocation. He’s already got the experience in capital allocation and the charisma. In 2014, the White House’s BRAIN Initiative announced more than $300 million in public and private investments to “revolutionize our understanding of the human mind and uncover new ways to treat, prevent, and cure brain disorders like Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, autism, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injury.” In his last State of the Union address in 2016, Obama announced a “moon shot” proposal to cure cancer. He’s halfway to being Larry Page already.

In his Bloomberg interview, Obama specifically discussed his interests in the biomedical field. When it comes to science, Obama said he finds it easy to “sit and listen and talk to folks for hours about.” Just like a venture capitalist would at a pitch meeting! He’s already groomed for the role. All he needs is a bottle of Soylent and a performance fleece vest emblazoned with his firm’s logo. It all sounds a bit Google-y, jargon included. But who better to close big V.C. deals, particularly in the life-sciences, social-welfare, and philanthropy spaces? Silicon Valley and venture capital are practically calling Obama’s name.

If venture capital doesn’t work out, though, he could always pull a Steve Ballmer and buy an N.B.A. team. Apparently the president hasn’t ruled that out, either.

(VANITY FAIR)