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Red Ventures
Red Ventures is a digital media and investment firm founded by Ric Elias in 2000, acquiring and scaling online properties like CNET and Bankrate.
Red Ventures
Red Ventures was founded in Fort Mill, South Carolina, in 2000 by Ric Elias and Dan Feldstein. The company initially focused on lead generation for home services before evolving into a digital media conglomerate. Its headquarters remains in South Carolina, with additional offices in Charlotte, San Francisco, and London. The firm operates across three main lines: digital media publishing (owning brands such as CNET, Bankrate, The Points Guy, and Healthline), performance marketing technology, and a private equity investment division. Red Ventures targets majority or controlling stakes in digital properties that can be scaled through its proprietary marketing engine. Confirmed acquisitions include CNET from CBS in 2020 for $500M (per The New York Times, 2020) and Bankrate from a private equity firm in 2017 (per Reuters, 2017). Geographically, its holdings span North America and UK markets. Total deployment across acquisitions exceeds $5B since inception, though the firm does not disclose current AUM or capital under management. The company employs roughly 3,000 people across its operating portfolio. In late 2023, Red Ventures sold the health media brands Healthline, Medical News Today, and Greatist to private equity firm Ritchie Capital (per Axios, November 2023). A structural differentiator is Red Ventures' operational hold approach: it does not operate as a standard venture capital or private equity fund but rather as an operating company that permanently acquires and optimizes digital media assets. The firm also maintains a real estate arm, Red Ventures Real Estate, which invests in commercial property related to its campus and operations.
General information
Firm type
Venture Capital
Year founded
2000
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Fort Mill
Corporate office
Fort Mill, SC, United States
Additional offices
Charlotte, NC · San Francisco, CA · London, UK
Principals
Ric Elias
Co-Founder & CEO
Dan Feldstein
Co-Founder & COO
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who makes investment decisions at Red Ventures?
Private equity and acquisition decisions are led by Ric Elias, CEO, and Dan Feldstein, COO, along with a corporate development team. The firm does not publicly list a dedicated investment committee.
How does Red Ventures source deals?
Red Ventures targets controlling acquisitions of digital media and marketing assets, often sourced through direct relationships with founders or via competitive auctions. Proprietary sourcing comes from its performance marketing expertise, which identifies under-monetized digital properties.
Is Red Ventures a single family office or a private equity firm?
Red Ventures is primarily an operating company that acquires and runs digital media brands, but its investment arm functions like a private equity-style buyer. It does not manage outside capital in a fund structure.
What investment stages does Red Ventures target?
The firm targets majority or controlling stakes in established digital media and marketing companies, typically at the growth or buyout stage. It does not invest in startups or venture-stage companies.
Does Red Ventures participate in fund commitments or only direct deals?
Red Ventures operates primarily through direct acquisitions of companies, not through fund-of-funds or external fund commitments. All capital deployment is direct into operating assets.
Where does Red Ventures' wealth come from?
The underlying wealth originates from the founders, Ric Elias and Dan Feldstein, who built the company through reinvested earnings from lead generation and digital marketing operations. The firm is privately held.
What sectors does Red Ventures avoid?
Red Ventures avoids venture-stage technology, biotech, and heavy manufacturing. Its focus remains on digital media, consumer internet, and marketing services.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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