| @BenJLerer |
| University of Pennsylvania | 2003 |
Ben Lerer is the co-founder and CEO of Thrillist Media Group, a digital media company converging leading men’s lifestyle brand Thrillist.com; members-only shopping club JackThreads.com; and local experiences platform Thrillist Rewards.
The three brands collectively reach over 4 million daily subscriptions, targeting a young, urban male demographic locally and nationally, online and offline, through content and commerce.
Since its launch in 2005, Lerer has overseen the growth of Thrillist’s marketing, sales and business development efforts, as well as its expansion into e-commerce with the 2010 acquisition JackThreads and launch of Thrillist Rewards.
Lerer was among Crain’s “40 under 40”, Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top 5 Entrepreneurs of the Year,” and Silicon Alley Insider’s “100 Coolest People in Tech” for five years running, in addition to being featured on the cover of AdWeek’s “Digital Hotshots” Issue and the front page of The New York Times’ Business Section.
Lerer chairs the Board of Directors for the East River Development Alliance, a New York non-profit organization and is an Associate Member of the International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences (IADAS). Ben is the co-founder of Lerer Ventures, one of New York’s most active Angel funds, investing in nearly 100 media and technology companies since its creation in 2010. Ben is also an active mentor for NYC Venture Fellows, TechStars and E[nstitute].
| Company | Date | Round | Size | Participants |
| Hot Potato | 11/09 | Series A | $1.42M | 15 |
