Eric Hippeau
Eric Hippeau | |
|---|---|
| Occupation(s) | Venture capitalist, media executive |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Known for | Partner at Lerer Hippeau Ventures; CEO of HuffPost; founder of ZDTV; managing partner at SoftBank Capital |
Eric Hippeau is a partner at Lerer Hippeau Ventures based in New York City.
Early life and education
Hippeau completed his studies at the Lycee Francais de Londres and pursued higher education at Sorbonne University in Paris.
Career
In 1989, Hippeau began his tenure at Ziff-Davis as the publisher of PC Magazine. He advanced to president in 1991 and was appointed chairman and CEO by 1993. Following SoftBank's acquisition of Ziff-Davis in 1995, he maintained his role as CEO until the company's sale in 2000.
Subsequently, Hippeau took on the role of managing partner at SoftBank Capital. As President of SoftBank International Ventures, he was responsible for launching private equity funds and broadening the firm's footprint across Europe, Latin America, and Asia. Additionally, he represented SoftBank on the boards of companies such as Yahoo!, Geocities, and CNET.
Hippeau is the founder of ZDTV, a cable network dedicated to technology and internet content.
In June 2009, he assumed the position of CEO at HuffPost, having previously invested through SoftBank Capital and served on its board since 2006. He is also recognized as a co-founder of NowThis News.
In 2011, Hippeau became a partner at Lerer Hippeau Ventures.
Boards and committees
He holds board memberships with various public and private organizations, including Resorts Worldwide, BuddyMedia, and BuzzFeed. His past board service includes Yahoo!, and he participates on the investment committee for the SB Asia Infrastructure Fund.
Personal life
Hippeau lives in New York City with his wife, Barbara; together they have four children and two grandchildren.