Spark Capital Promotes Alex Finkelstein to General Partner

BOSTON, Jan. 22 /PRNewswire/ – Spark Capital, a venture capital firm with investments focusing on the conflux of the media, entertainment and technology industries, today announced the promotion of Alex Finkelstein to General Partner. Since joining the firm at its inception as a Principal, Finkelstein has led Spark’s investments in New York-based 5min, an online how-to video company, and 8D World, a virtual world that teaches English as a Second Language with offices in Boston and China. As a General Partner, Finkelstein will take a leading role at Spark in identifying and building the next generation of breakthrough media and technology companies.

“Alex has real talent for uncovering emerging trends, recognizing new businesses with real potential, and partnering with exceptional entrepreneurs,” said Todd Dagres, Founder and General Partner of Spark Capital. “Since joining Spark at our inception, he has made a tremendous contribution to our firm and the companies within our portfolio. Alex has identified investments that are poised to be leaders in their emerging market segments. He has played an important role in their growth by offering hands-on support in recruiting top talent, making important partner and customer introductions to support business development, and working closely with CEOs on all facets of their operations.”

Before joining Spark Capital, Finkelstein was the creator and producer of several television shows and Internet properties that he sold to major networks, including FOX, E!, Discovery, ITV1 (U.K.) and Yahoo. Finkelstein also served as a Principal for Seed Capital Partners, an early-stage venture capital firm that was formed in partnership with Softbank. Before joining Seed Capital Partners, Finkelstein was an Associate at GrandBanks Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm that was also formed in partnership with Softbank. He also previously served as a senior venture capital research associate with Cambridge Associates. Finkelstein is a graduate of Middlebury College.

“The world of converging digital media and technology is rapidly evolving as disruptive, new businesses emerge,” said Finkelstein. “Highly passionate entrepreneurs who are building transformative companies are the key to building these new businesses. As a General Partner at Spark Capital, I look forward to continuing to forge relationships with the industry’s top entrepreneurs and working with them to push innovative companies to the forefront of adoption and recognition.”

About Spark Capital

Spark Capital is a venture capital firm focused on building businesses that transform the distribution, management and monetization of media and content. Spark’s General Partners are successful natives of the media and technology industries and have proven track records identifying and actively building market-leading companies in sectors including infrastructure (Qtera, RiverDelta, Aether Systems, Broadbus and BigBand), networks (College Sports Television, TVONE and XCOM) and services (Akamai and the Platform). With a deep network that spans technology and media, investing and operations, Spark Capital provides world-class entrepreneurs and revolutionary companies with the resources to succeed in today’s marketplace. Spark Capital has $622 million under management, and is based in Boston, Mass. To learn more, visit www.sparkcapital.com.

SOURCE Spark Capital