PROFILE

I am a digital executive, entrepreneur, investor and product leader with 20+ years experience and a proven track record of transforming big ideas into successful and profitable products that connect with markets and consumers. I draw on my diverse set of skills and experiences to help entrepreneurs and companies unlock greater value in their teams and customers, and navigate the complex demands required to build today’s market leading products.

I am a builder at heart. Whether it’s products, teams, content, brands or companies, I’ve always loved the magic of bringing great people together around a shared vision and working as a team to bring new ideas to life. I’m a purpose-driven leader who knows that building things is really hard work and requires a persistence best inspired by a clear mission and a shared belief in what you are doing. I’ve been fortunate to have a career filled with exciting challenges that I’ve had a deep personal passion for.

Most recently I founded 21212, with the mission to help young entrepreneurs in this emerging market bring new ideas to life at scale in a very challenging market, Brazil. We’ve invested in and advised over 40 startups in the last 3.5 years. 21212 was selected as an official partner in the federally funded Startup Brasil program and recently had its first exit with the acquisition of Zero Paper by Intuit in January 2015. Prior to 21212, I was CCO and head of product at Sling Media, where I founded the NYC office and built a 30+ member product and engineering team focused on developing new products, content, and web services including Sling’s premium OTT TV service. Sling was acquired by Echostar in late 2007 by Dish Networks for $380M. I also served as VP of Digital at MTV where I ran MTV.com, mobile and built the MTV Overdrive video platform. Prior to MTV, I was Founding CCO and Editor-in-Chief at Complex Media, whose investors include Accel Partners and today stands as the #4 online media brand in unique visitors amongst millennials. Ben also founded Platform Network, a youth culture portal and e-commerce platform which aggregated over 50 brands and publications. Investors included Sony 550 Digital and Platform was acquired by Sean Combs’ Hookt.com. Ben serves on the board of several startups including RecordSetter and Responde Ai. BA, Brown University.