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Gary Kremen is a legendary internet entrepreneur and investor, best known as the founder of Match.com and for registering the Craigslist.com domain. He currently serves as the Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of Pace Avenue, a venture studio that builds and invests in early-stage technology companies.
Gary Kremen primarily invests in early-stage technology companies with disruptive potential. His investment focus areas include artificial intelligence (AI), Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), fintech, and innovative consumer internet platforms, leveraging his extensive experience in building foundational online services.
Gary Kremen works as the Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of Pace Avenue. Pace Avenue is a venture studio dedicated to building and investing in early-stage companies across various technology sectors.
Gary Kremen is the Chairman of Savi Technologies and a Partner at Ignition Partners, based in Palo Alto, California. He is best known as the original founder of Match.com, an online dating platform he launched in 1993 and sold to IAC, which grew the asset into a multibillion dollar global enterprise. As a serial entrepreneur, Kremen also founded Clean Power Finance and Savi Technology, securing over $100 million in venture capital funding for the latter. He holds engineering and business degrees from Northwestern University and Stanford University, and he famously won a landmark $65 million legal judgment over the Sex.com domain name in 2010. Today, his professional focus centers on early stage venture capital, clean technology, and smart grid cybersecurity investments, with his firm leading a $15 million Series A funding round for a cybersecurity startup.
Gary Kremen stands as a titan in the world of internet entrepreneurship and venture capital, currently serving as the Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of Pace Avenue. His journey is marked by an uncanny ability to foresee and shape the digital landscape, making him a pivotal figure in the early days of the internet and a continued force in today's tech investment scene. At Pace Avenue, Kremen leverages his unparalleled experience to build and invest in the next generation of groundbreaking companies, guiding them from nascent ideas to market leaders.
As Executive Chairman, Gary Kremen plays a strategic role in defining Pace Avenue's vision and investment thesis. Pace Avenue is more than just an investment firm; it operates as a venture studio, actively co-founding and incubating startups alongside providing crucial capital. Kremen's leadership ensures that Pace Avenue identifies and nurtures companies with truly disruptive potential, offering not just funding but also invaluable mentorship and operational expertise derived from his own storied career. His focus is on early-stage technology companies that are poised to redefine industries, with a particular interest in sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), fintech, and innovative consumer internet platforms.
Kremen's investment philosophy is deeply rooted in his own history as a serial entrepreneur. He is perhaps best known as the visionary founder of Match.com, the pioneering online dating service launched in 1993, which revolutionized how people connect and continues to be a dominant force in its industry. Beyond Match.com, Kremen also famously registered the domain name for Craigslist.com in 1995, recognizing the potential for online classifieds long before it became a household name. These ventures underscore his profound understanding of network effects and the power of online communities.
Throughout his career, Gary Kremen has been a prolific angel investor and venture capitalist, backing numerous startups that have gone on to achieve significant success. His keen eye for innovation and his willingness to invest in nascent ideas have made him a sought-after advisor and partner for aspiring entrepreneurs. He brings a founder-first perspective to his investment decisions, understanding the challenges and opportunities inherent in building a company from the ground up.
At Pace Avenue, Gary Kremen continues to champion innovation, seeking out founders who possess the drive and vision to create the next wave of internet-defining businesses. His legacy as an internet pioneer, combined with his active role in shaping the future of technology investment, solidifies his position as a highly influential figure dedicated to fostering entrepreneurial success. Investors and founders alike recognize Kremen's unique blend of historical insight and forward-thinking strategy, making him a cornerstone of the modern tech ecosystem.
