One of Silicon Valley's top dealmakers, Welsh-born venture capitalist Sir Michael Moritz, gave his take on the investment landscape to more than 200 Norwood supporters at a business breakfast in central London.
His speech covered everything from WhatsApp and Uber to promising British start-ups and the qualities needed by tech founders to be in with a chance of becoming the next Steve Jobs or Bill Gates.
Sir Michael is also a former member of the Google board and co-author - with former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson - of Leading, a manual on leadership.
Speaking after the event, which raised more than £100,000, Sir Michael said: "Norwood cherishes and takes care of people who, through no fault of their own, have serious disadvantages and aren't able to navigate through life with the same sort of ease as the rest of us. It's a terrific, caring organisation."
Added Neville Newman, Norwood's business and entrepreneurs breakfast network co-chair: "The theme was very much about opportunity.
"The money raised today will do a tremendous amount of good, increasing opportunities for children, families and adults with learning disabilities to live their lives to the full."