Hey, I’m Ian. Welcome to MySpace. (Not the old one—just mine)
I’m glad you’re here. And here’s the good news: no third-person bios here
Really, it's just me – or, more accurately, a past version of myself – having a chat with you
I’m based in Dumbo, Brooklyn, right near that IG-famous bridge shot
Friends & Family
These days, I’m a partner at Friends & Family, a venture studio for Fortune 500s
We take a startup approach in a corporate setting, validating and de-risking new business opportunities in weeks, not years
You’ve probably seen this line a million times, but we’ve worked with Nike, Starbucks, Citibank, the Dodgers, IKEA, and Lowe’s—just to name-drop a few
Over the last decade, I’ve worked across consumer social, fintech, healthcare, home renovation, and AI (along with seemingly half of LinkedIn)
I’ve worn a lot of hats and taken plenty of swings. Some landed, some missed—but all of them taught me something
But it’s safe to say you’re not here for a novel, so instead, I’ll just share three key building blocks that paved the way to where I am today
And if corporate jargon is more your thing, check out my LinkedIn
IAC: Newco Incubator
I was part of the incubator division at IAC, holding roles as Director of Strategy & Operations, Product Manager, and Entrepreneur in Residence—building zero-to-one startups from scratch
Never heard of IAC? I hear this a lot. But you probably know the companies it’s built—Angi, Vimeo, Tinder, Hinge, Expedia, and Ticketmaster
I reported directly to the CEOs of four portfolio companies, managing cross-functional teams of 30+ across engineering, design, and operations (okay, some jargon)
We ran lean, moved fast, and got things done—this was a roll-up-your-sleeves kind of place. Thankfully, I worked alongside some incredibly talented folks
The results? A few spinoffs, with companies now generating tens of millions in revenue and valued at over $200M
Venture Crush Accelerator
Earlier in my career, I was part of Venture Crush Accelerator
Some of my cohort-mates hit it big. Me? I learned invaluable dos and don’ts when launching a startup
So what did I build? I was focused on social consumer apps—prioritizing genuine interactions over vanity metrics and status games. (And honestly? I still stand by that vision.)
The biggest mistake? Falling into the social network trap, thinking I was building the next Facebook—consider it a rite of passage for the ambitious, young, and naive
Innoblue
So how’d I get into startups?
It all started back at Penn State, where I joined Innoblue (now Nittany Entrepreneur Society)—a university incubator where students could build and launch startups
I learned more there than in my actual classes, but more importantly, it set me on a path
A memorable highlight? Pitching Spott to Alexis Ohanian (Reddit) and David Rusenko (Weebly)
Okay, but what do I actually do?
If I had to sum it up in one word: Navigator
I’ve led teams, built products, designed, recruited, raised funding, written copy, sales, filed legal docs (not a lawyer, call Saul)—basically, whatever it takes to turn an idea into something real
A broad skill set lets me see across disciplines—spotting problems others miss and connecting the dots into a clear path forward
That’s why companies—big and small—tap me to help them figure out where to sail next
Still here? Wow, okay, here are a few more things:
I love checking out up-and-coming artists across the city. But of course, I hit stadiums, festivals, and arenas too
Speaking of concerts—I collect gig posters. Not the cheap ones. Limited-run, numbered prints tied to the artist, venue, and date
Here’s part of my collection
(I’m running out of wall space)
On the topic of IRL—going to the movies is another favorite of mine (I know, old-school)
Pro tip for New Yorkers: The IMAX at Lincoln Square is a must-visit—it’s the 2nd biggest theater in North America and an absolute cinematic experience
Anyway, that about wraps it up for now
If you’re curious about something I didn’t address or just want to chat, don’t be shy—DM me on X