I agree it is odd given that how highly academically educated he himself is. However, Thiel Fellowship (tell kids to skip college) doesn't benefit Thiel except

I agree it is odd given that how highly academically educated he himself is. However, Thiel Fellowship (tell kids to skip college) doesn't benefit Thiel except for publicity in his name: the $100K is a grant. Thiel or the organization does not own any stake in the companies they fund.