Rich Riley
Rich Riley | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 17, 1973 Austin, Texas, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, business executive |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Known for | Co-CEO of Origin Materials, CEO of Shazam, executive roles at Yahoo! |
Rich Riley (born August 17, 1973) is a prominent American entrepreneur and business executive. He held the position of co-CEO at Origin Materials, a company specializing in chemicals and materials, until his departure at the close of 2024. Prior to this, Riley was the CEO of Shazam, where he guided the firm through notable expansion and increased market penetration. From 1999 to 2013, he occupied various senior roles at Yahoo!, playing a key role in the company’s strategic initiatives and digital advancements.
Early life and education
Raised in Austin, Texas, Riley completed his secondary education at Westlake High School. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in economics with a focus on finance and entrepreneurial management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Log-Me-On.com
At the age of 25, Riley co-founded Log-Me-On.com, overseeing its development and securing patents for the technology that became the foundation for the Yahoo! Toolbar. This venture was acquired by Yahoo! in 1999.
Yahoo!
Following Log-Me-On’s acquisition, Riley advanced through several executive positions within Yahoo!, including director of Business Development, senior vice president of the Small & Medium Business Division, managing director and senior vice president for the EMEA Region, and executive vice president for the Americas. Reporting directly to the CEO, he was an integral member of Yahoo!’s Executive Management team.
Shazam
Riley assumed the role of CEO at Shazam in 2013, succeeding Andrew Fisher. During his tenure, he significantly broadened Shazam’s market reach until its acquisition by Apple in 2017. Additionally, Riley took on the role of executive producer for Fox’s television series Beat Shazam, inspired by the app.
Origin Materials
Before stepping down on December 31, 2024, Riley served as co-CEO at Origin Materials, a firm focused on chemical and material innovations.
Recognition
- In October 2011, Riley was featured in Fortune’’s "40 under 40: Ones to Watch."
- He was listed on Billboard Power 100 rankings in 2015, 2016, and 2017.
- Westlake High School honored him with its distinguished alumni award.
Personal life
Riley is a member of the Young Presidents' Organization and contributes to the Wharton School Entrepreneurial Advisory Board. Together with his wife Michelle Leone Riley, he founded a scholarship in 2005 aimed at assisting a financially disadvantaged undergraduate student at the University of Pennsylvania. The couple lives in New Canaan, Connecticut with their four children.