Menlo Park, CA, March 20, 2007 – Benchmark Capital,
a leading early-stage high-technology venture capital firm, today
announced that Mitch Lasky, former CEO of JAMDAT Mobile, Inc. and
executive vice president of Mobile and Online at Electronic Arts, Inc.
has joined the firm as a general partner.
At JAMDAT, Mr.
Lasky took the company from pre-revenue to an IPO in 2004, and led it
through the successful sale to Electronic Arts in 2005 for $680
million. During his tenure, the company expanded from a staff of 11 to
nearly 600 employees worldwide, transforming a small mobile game
developer into the leading global publisher of wireless applications.
“There
are very few executives of Mitch’s stature in either the mobile
community or the gaming community, and he has established a remarkable
reputation within both. We are really proud to have him join the firm,”
said Bill Gurley, Benchmark Capital general partner. “As the
ecosystems of gaming, entertainment and mobile technologies converge,
Mitch has the inside track on the publishers, mobile carriers and
talented entrepreneurs --both inside and outside traditional Silicon
Valley circles -- who are pushing the margins of new media. He brings
a rare blend of business judgment, practical experience and passion to
everything he works on, and has the hands-on experience of taking a raw
idea and turning it into a leading global company.”
In his
new role, Mr. Lasky will identify investment opportunities in mobile
content and platforms, next-generation interactive entertainment, and
digital privacy and identity. Benchmark’s growing portfolio of mobile
gaming and interactive entertainment includes JAMDAT, Red 5, Habbo
Hotel, Second Life, Gaia, Bebo and Zlango.
“I am
tremendously excited to have the opportunity to focus my energy,
creativity and business skills on uncovering the next great disruptive
interactive technologies and to help transform start-up ventures into
successful companies,” said Mr. Lasky. “There are a lot of great
venture capitalists in this valley, but only one great team of venture
capitalists. I’ve witnessed first hand the impact the Benchmark team
has had on new ventures, and I believe their commitment to the
entrepreneur and dedication to building companies of lasting value
really set the firm apart.”
Prior to JAMDAT, Mr. Lasky
spent five years at Activision, Inc., a leading worldwide developer,
publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and leisure
products, most recently as executive vice president of Worldwide
Studios. Earlier in his career, Mr. Lasky practiced law, worked at the
Walt Disney Company, and started a massively multiplayer online game
company.
Mr. Lasky received his Bachelor of
Administration degree in History and Literature from Harvard College
and earned a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of La