CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--General Catalyst Partners, a Cambridge, Mass. and Palo Alto, Calif. based venture capital firm today announced that Kevin Colleran, a foundational Facebook employee who developed the initial advertising programs for the social network, is joining the firm as a venture partner. As Facebook’s second-most tenured employee at the time of his departure behind founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Colleran offers tremendous experience for early stage and high growth companies. In his new role at General Catalyst, Colleran will focus on mentoring young entrepreneurs in early stage investments.
Colleran began his career at Facebook in 2005 as its seventh employee and played a critical role establishing social media as an essential component of every brand's marketing strategy. During his tenure at Facebook, Colleran led some of the company's largest advertising partnerships with companies including Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, and Coca Cola. His main focus was to help premier brands learn how to evolve their marketing strategies and adapt to the rising popularity of social media. In that role, he helped establish the very first Facebook brand pages for these global icons.
“There’s always been a high volume of talent and innovation coming out of Boston, and there’s been a significant uptick recently. The most recent IPOs of General Catalyst companies like Demandware and Brightcove are proof of that, and I’m especially excited to identify the next great ideas and help develop and nurture them into phenomenal companies,” said Colleran, who will be based in General Catalyst’s Cambridge, Mass. office. “There’s no better place to be than General Catalyst. I’m looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and bringing the knowledge I’ve gained over the past six years to the next generation of world class companies.”
In his role as venture partner, Colleran will identify and work with early stage companies in the consumer sector, in addition to serving as a board member and board observer for high growth companies. Having spent six years at Facebook traveling the world and meeting with brand managers, advertising agencies, and global CMOs he has helped them better understand the new marketing opportunities that social media has to offer.
“Kevin’s experience monetizing social networks and deep understanding of the consumer experience make him a tremendous addition to our team,” said Joel Cutler, managing director at General Catalyst. “We’re excited to have him on board.”
In addition to his experience at Facebook, Colleran brings a lifelong interest in entrepreneurship to his new role. While in high school and college, he won multiple national entrepreneur of the year awards and founded various marketing and Internet-based startups. After college, Colleran worked as a consultant with BMG Music in NY where he launched a music sponsorship company that focused on artists signed to the Arista and RCA record labels. In 2005 he was recruited to Facebook by Sean Parker, the company’s founding president.
About General Catalyst
General Catalyst Partners is a venture capital firm that invests in exceptional entrepreneurs who are building the technology-based companies that will lead innovation and transform industries. Founded in 2000, General Catalyst Partners leverages its principals' extensive operational, business development and technological expertise to provide portfolio companies with a catalyst for success through business-building and partnership development assistance. For more information, visit www.generalcatalyst.com.