# Martin Eberhard

> Martin Eberhard is an American engineer, entrepreneur and Tesla co-founder who served as its first CEO. His earlier ventures included Network Computing Devices and NuvoMedia, maker of the Rocket eBook; his later work included electric-vehicle battery companies InEVit and Tiveni. He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2025.

- **Role:** Retired; co-founder and former CEO of Tesla
- **Organizations:** Tesla, NuvoMedia, Network Computing Devices, Wyse Technology, Volkswagen, InEVit, Tiveni, National Academy of Engineering
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** B.S. in Computer Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, M.S. in Electrical Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- **Known for:** Co-founded Tesla and led early Roadster development., Co-founded NuvoMedia, maker of the Rocket eBook., Co-founded Network Computing Devices.

## Career timeline

- **1982** — Earned a B.S. in Computer Engineering at Illinois.
- **1984** — Earned an M.S. in Electrical Engineering at Illinois.
- **1987** — Co-founded Network Computing Devices, serving as chief engineer.
- **1997** — Co-founded NuvoMedia with Marc Tarpenning.
- **1998** — NuvoMedia launched the Rocket eBook.
- **2000** — NuvoMedia was sold to Gemstar.
- **2003** — Co-founded Tesla Motors with Marc Tarpenning; became its first CEO.
- **2007** — Left the CEO role and subsequently Tesla’s operating leadership.
- **2009** — Settled litigation with Elon Musk and Tesla.
- **2010** — Worked with Volkswagen on electric-vehicle technology.
- **2015** — Inducted into the Illinois Engineering Hall of Fame.
- **2025** — Elected to the National Academy of Engineering.
- **2026** — Returned to Illinois as a commencement speaker.

## Achievements

- Co-founded Tesla and led early Roadster development.
- Co-founded NuvoMedia, maker of the Rocket eBook.
- Co-founded Network Computing Devices.
- Co-founded battery ventures InEVit and Tiveni.
- Elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2025.
- Named on more than 30 granted patents, according to his Illinois commencement biography.
- Established an Illinois scholarship for women in engineering with his wife, Carolyn.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Appeared among the interviewees in Alex Gibney’s documentary Musk, reported during its Venice premiere.
- **2026-05** — Was a commencement speaker for two Grainger Engineering graduation ceremonies at Illinois.
- **2025-07** — Appeared in a Kim Java video interview about Tesla’s beginnings and his views on the company.
- **2025-02** — Elected to the National Academy of Engineering for leadership in electric vehicles and entrepreneurship in transportation.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-eberhard-1441931

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/martin-eberhard
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-20