Richard de Silva

Based in Highland’s Menlo Park office, Richard is a General Partner at Highland focused on digital media investments with specific experience and interest in online advertising, online media properties, consumer payment systems and internet infrastructure. He invests in early stage companies as well as later stage opportunities including growth equity, venture buyouts, spin-outs and recapitalizations. Richard serves on the board of Affine Systems, Digg, FanSnap, Metacafe and NameMedia, and is or has been actively involved in Highland's investments in Fastclick (IPO, sold to ValueClick), Quigo (acquired by AOL) and Turbine (acquired by Warner Bros.) Background Before joining Highland in 2003, Richard was co-founder and President of SiteBurst Inc., a channel marketing software company. Prior to SiteBurst, Richard was part of the team that founded IronPlanet.com, a venture-backed marketplace for used heavy equipment. Previously, Richard was an Engagement Manager at Mercer Management Consulting, where he led strategic initiatives for clients including IBM, Tribune and Leo Burnett. He has worked extensively in the cable television industry as a consultant to Scientific Atlanta and as a product manager at the @Home Network. He has also worked at Apax Partners, and as a reporter for Newsweek magazine and the Washington Post. Education Harvard College, A.B., History Cambridge University, M.Phil., International Relations Harvard Business School, M.B.A.