Rich Nelson

RICH graduated with High Distinction from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. He graduated cum laude from New York University School of Law. He began his career as a mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance attorney at Skadden Arps. He later joined Ronald Lauder's telecommunication company, RSL Communications, where he lead M&A and was President of an operating subsidiary. In 2003, Rich joined the founding team of one of the first social media mining companies as President, Trendum USA, Inc. After raising a Series A financing round from The Nielsen Company, Rich lead a roll-up of other social media mining companies, including BuzzMetrics and Intelliseek, later rebranding the company as Nielsen BuzzMetrics. In 2006, the company was fully acquired by The Nielsen Company, and Rich lead Nielsen's Online Corporate Development group. In 2011, Rich joined IAC/InterActiveCorp, as Managing Director of M&A. In 2013, Rich re-joined The Nielsen Company as Senior Vice President Global M&A and Venture Investing. Rich began actively investing in technology companies in 2013. In 2015, Rich launched Nelstone Ventures to syndicate investment opportunities that he sources and participates in. Most recently Rich joined Vericast as Executive Vice President Corporate Development.