Benchmark Capital Announces Richard Barton as Venture Partner

Benchmark Capital Announces Richard Barton as Venture Partner

MENLO PARK, Calif., Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Benchmark Capital, the leading early-stage high-technology venture capital firm, today announced that Richard Barton, founder of Expedia, will join the firm as a venture partner. Mr. Barton will leverage his extensive company-building experience to work with the firm's current portfolio as well as assist the firm with new opportunities.

"There are great entrepreneurs and great executives, and Rich is one of those rare individuals who is both," said Bill Gurley, general partner at Benchmark Capital. "Rich had an unprecedented run at Expedia, taking it from an idea to a $10 billion company in only eight years. His remarkable experience and strategic mind will be real assets to our companies, and we look forward to having him in our corner."

Under Mr. Barton's guidance, Expedia grew to become the largest online seller of travel in the world. Mr. Barton will use his expertise to extend the success of Benchmark's Internet portfolio. Benchmark has a long track record of successful Internet investments, from its early investments in eBay, Betfair, OpenTable, Shopping.com, and ZipRealty to more recent investments in companies such as AllPosters.com, Business.com, Friendster, Linden Lab, and Sulake.

"As an entrepreneur, I find Benchmark's approach to venture capital refreshing. The partners are a very sharp group, who work as a team to help entrepreneurs and their companies achieve more than they ever thought possible," said Mr. Barton. "Like Benchmark, I love to be around people and companies who have a passion to use the transformative power of technology to change the status quo, and I am thrilled to be able to work with the firm and its portfolio."

Mr. Barton is currently the Chairman and CEO of an Internet startup called Zillow, which he founded in Seattle with a former Expedia executive last year. Prior to founding Expedia inside of Microsoft in 1995, he worked in various product management roles at the company. Mr. Barton sits on the boards of Netflix and AtomShockwave and holds a B.S. degree from Stanford University.

About Benchmark Capital

Benchmark Capital was founded in 1995 to help talented entrepreneurs build great technology companies. Benchmark's partners take a team-oriented, labor-intensive approach to venture investing to deliver a superior level of service to the firm's portfolio companies. Benchmark's portfolio includes franchise companies such as eBay, Juniper Networks and Red Hat. Managing more than $2.5 billion in committed venture capital, Benchmark focuses on investing in entrepreneurs with original ideas. For more information on Benchmark, visit its web site at www.benchmark.com.

Editorial Contacts:
Stephanie Gnibus Wendy McCarthy
GMK Communications GMK Communications
For Benchmark Capital For Benchmark Capital
408-776-9727 415-566-6522
stephanie@gmkcommunications.comwendy@gmkcommunications.com


Source: Benchmark Capital

CONTACT: Stephanie Gnibus, +1-408-776-9727, or
stephanie@gmkcommunications.com; or Wendy McCarthy, +1-415-566-6522, or
wendy@gmkcommunications.com, both of GMK Communications for Benchmark Capital

Web site: http://www.benchmark.com/


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