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Elevation Partners

Elevation Partners is an founded in that specializes in large-scale growth investments at the intersection of technology, media, and entertainment. Headquartered in , the firm was established with approximately $1.9 billion in committed capital and focused on intellectual property-rich companies with strong management teams. The firm was co-founded by a group of prominent investors and executives, including venture capitalist , Marc Bodnick, frontman , former president , Apple executives Fred Anderson and , and private equity veteran Bret Pearlman. Elevation Partners made its debut investments in 2005, targeting opportunities in digital media and consumer-facing technology platforms. Among its most notable early investments were stakes in (secondary market investments starting in 2010), (a $25 million Series E round in 2009), (acquiring a significant minority interest in the mobile device maker), and (a gaming studio acquisition later sold to ). The firm also pursued high-profile deals in media assets, such as a 40% stake in Forbes Media in 2006 and investments in MarketShare. By 2015, Elevation Partners had successfully exited all of its original portfolio companies, generating substantial returns for investors, including through the public listings of Facebook and Yelp. In parallel, from 2012 to 2015, the firm operated Elevation Investors II, which backed emerging tech leaders like Airbnb, Uber, and Sonos. Following these activities, key team members transitioned to NextEquity Partners in 2015, a successor entity that continues the firm's strategy of partnering with seasoned operators to support growth-stage technology and digital media businesses. Roger McNamee remains active in the investment landscape, offering insights on technology trends such as artificial intelligence as of 2025.

Formation and Structure

Founders and Key Personnel

Elevation Partners was co-founded in by a group of seasoned professionals from , , and sectors, bringing together expertise in , , and media to focus on intellectual property-driven investments. The core team included , Marc Bodnick, Fred Anderson, , Bret Pearlman, and (Paul Hewson), each contributing distinct backgrounds that shaped the firm's strategy at the intersection of media and . Roger McNamee, a veteran investor, served as a managing partner and played a pivotal role in establishing the firm's investment philosophy. McNamee began his career in 1982 at T. Rowe Price Associates, where he managed the top-performing Science & Technology Fund and co-managed the New Horizons Fund, focusing on emerging technology companies. In 1991, he co-founded Integral Capital Partners, the first crossover fund combining late-stage with public market investments, in partnership with Caufield & Byers. His experience in tech investments informed Elevation's emphasis on scalable opportunities. Marc Bodnick, another co-founder and initial managing director, brought acumen from his time as a founding principal at Silver Lake Partners, where he focused on and deals. Bodnick's background in large-scale investments complemented the team's operational expertise, though he later departed the firm in 2011 to pursue other ventures. Fred Anderson, co-founder and managing director, contributed deep experience as Apple's executive vice president and from 1996 to 2004, during which he helped navigate the company's turnaround under . Prior to Apple, Anderson held finance roles at and . His operational insights from tech giants like Apple were instrumental in evaluating growth-stage opportunities. John Riccitiello, a co-founder with a strong gaming industry pedigree, had served as president and chief operating officer at (EA) from 1997 to 2004, overseeing major franchises and global operations. His departure from EA to join allowed him to leverage entertainment sector knowledge, later returning to EA as CEO in 2007. Riccitiello's expertise in aligned with the firm's interest in content-rich businesses. Bret Pearlman, co-founder and managing director, focused on operational aspects, drawing from his prior role as senior managing director at The Blackstone Group, where he specialized in private equity transactions in consumer technology and . Pearlman joined shortly after its formation in 2004, providing deal execution and portfolio management support. Bono, the U2 frontman whose real name is Paul Hewson, joined as a co-founder and managing partner in 2004, infusing the firm with his extensive entertainment network and influence in music and media. Introduced to McNamee through mutual connections, Bono contributed to deal sourcing, particularly in media and talent advisory, enhancing Elevation's access to high-profile intellectual property opportunities. His involvement underscored the firm's unique blend of celebrity insight and business rigor. Other key personnel included executives with ties to portfolio companies, such as those from Move Inc., where Anderson served on the board, reflecting the team's hands-on approach to operations. The collective backgrounds—spanning , finance, tech leadership, and entertainment—enabled Elevation to pursue investments emphasizing in and technology sectors.

Fundraise and Organizational Setup

Elevation Partners was established in 2004 in Menlo Park, California, following the dot-com bust, positioning itself to leverage the emerging convergence of digital media, technology, and entertainment. The firm maintained its primary headquarters in Menlo Park, with operational support from a New York City office to facilitate East Coast engagements. In its inaugural year, Elevation Partners successfully raised $1.9 billion for its first fund, targeting large-scale growth investments in , , and sectors. This capital was secured through commitments from a diverse array of limited partners, including institutional investors such as family offices and endowments, as well as high-net-worth individuals drawn from the extensive networks of its founders, exemplified by Bono's connections in the entertainment world. The fundraising process began with a first close of $211.2 million from 24 accredited investors in September 2004, building momentum to reach the full target by mid-2005. Organizationally, Elevation Partners adopted a model centered on growth-oriented investments in intellectual property-rich companies, distinguishing itself through hands-on involvement from its team of seasoned operators rather than passive holding strategies. The structure emphasized collaborative management, leveraging the operational expertise of partners like former executives from Apple and to drive value creation in portfolio firms. The firm's investment philosophy integrated with traditional media and entertainment assets, aiming to foster strategic partnerships that accelerated while avoiding conventional leveraged buyouts. This approach targeted opportunities at the nexus of and , capitalizing on the post-dot-com shift toward IP-driven business models.

Investment History

Early Investments (2004–2007)

Elevation Partners' inaugural investment occurred in late 2005, when the firm committed over $300 million to merge developers Corp. and into VG Holding Corp., marking one of the largest deals in the gaming industry at the time. This move positioned Elevation as the majority owner of the combined entity, which focused on developing high-profile titles like and . The strategy emphasized acquiring intellectual properties in interactive entertainment to capitalize on the growing sector. In the same year, Elevation invested $100 million in Move, Inc., a real estate media platform that operated websites such as Realtor.com, to support its expansion in online property listings and related services. Earlier that year, the firm had pursued a $135 million all-cash bid for Eidos Interactive, the publisher of the Tomb Raider franchise, but withdrew after a competing offer from SCi Entertainment prevailed. These efforts highlighted Elevation's early focus on gaming and digital content assets, leveraging the founders' networks in technology and entertainment to source opportunities. By 2006, Elevation acquired a minority stake exceeding 40 percent in Media for approximately $265 million, aiming to enhance the publisher's digital operations and revenue streams amid shifting landscapes. The investment facilitated operational improvements, including bolstering online platforms and content strategies. In 2007, the firm expanded into services by acquiring SDI Media Group, the leading provider of subtitling and for entertainment content, from , though terms were not disclosed. A key milestone came in October 2007, when Elevation sold VG Holding to for up to $860 million, yielding roughly double the original investment and providing the firm's first significant exit with positive returns. During this period, Elevation's commitments in gaming and media intellectual properties totaled around $1 billion, reflecting a deliberate to build value through targeted acquisitions in high-growth sectors. The Forbes stake, meanwhile, was retained to drive long-term enhancements in digital integration and performance.

Later Investments and Challenges (2008–2015)

During the global financial crisis of 2008, Elevation Partners continued its investment strategy in media and technology sectors, though the economic downturn introduced significant headwinds that affected portfolio performance. In December 2008, the firm provided an additional $100 million equity investment to Palm, Inc., via newly issued preferred stock, building on its earlier 25% stake acquired for $325 million in 2007; further share purchases brought the total outlay to approximately $460 million. This infusion aimed to support Palm's development of the webOS platform amid intensifying competition from Apple's iPhone and emerging Android devices. However, Palm's market share eroded rapidly, with webOS failing to achieve meaningful synergies or adoption, culminating in Hewlett-Packard's acquisition of the company in 2010 for $1.2 billion; Elevation realized approximately $485 million on its total $460 million outlay, yielding a modest return of about 5%. The firm also pursued minority stakes in and companies during this period, navigating liquidity constraints and valuation pressures from . In March 2009, Elevation invested an undisclosed amount in MarketShare Partners, a firm focused on media and marketing optimization, marking one of its responses to the shifting landscape. Similarly, its 2006 investment of $100 million in Move, Inc., a real estate information services provider, faced challenges as the housing market collapse reduced demand for listings, contributing to prolonged underperformance. These deals exemplified Elevation's efforts to capitalize on digital transitions, but the 2008 recession amplified risks, echoing dot-com era volatilities with delayed exits and write-downs. By 2010, Elevation shifted toward high-growth platforms, investing $25 million in Series E of Yelp, Inc., a consumer review site, with plans to expand to $100 million through secondary purchases from employees. That June, the firm acquired $120 million in shares on the , increasing its stake to approximately 1.5% at a $23 billion valuation, a move that later benefited from Facebook's 2012 IPO despite subsequent dilution from additional funding rounds. These investments represented a peak in activity around 2008–2010, as Elevation sought to leverage its media-technology expertise amid recovering markets. Challenges intensified with internal and external pressures, including personnel changes and demands from limited partners. In January 2011, co-founder Marc Bodnick resigned to join startup , signaling shifts in the firm's leadership amid scrutiny over returns. Earlier, in 2008, facilitated over $1.35 million in donations to the through partner networks, and exploratory discussions for a deeper ensued, with joining Wikimedia's advisory board in 2009; however, no formal deal materialized due to the foundation's non-commercial stance. From 2012 to 2015, the firm operated Investors II, backing emerging tech leaders including , , and , while winding down earlier assets. By 2012–2015, these hurdles prompted a wind-down, with asset sales such as the 2014 divestiture of Media—where recouped its principal plus a preferred return—addressing issues and closing out the . The period underscored the firm's vulnerability to cycles, with net returns lagging benchmarks after fees.

Portfolio Companies

Media and Publishing Investments

Elevation Partners made a significant investment in Media in 2006, acquiring more than a 40 percent stake for approximately $250 million to $300 million, aiming to strengthen the family's privately held business amid the shifting media landscape. The firm focused on operational enhancements, including a push toward by expanding .com as a key platform for business leaders and investing in initiatives to counter the decline in print revenue. This included cost-cutting measures and scaling back operations, with Elevation's co-founder stepping down from the board in 2009 to facilitate further efficiencies. The investment faced challenges from digital disruption and slower-than-expected performance, leading to substantial write-downs on the stake, at times valued at an 80 percent discount. Despite these hurdles, Elevation exited its position in 2014 when a majority stake in Media was sold to Integrated Whale Media Investments, a Hong Kong-based group, valuing the company at $475 million; the firm recouped its principal through protections and achieved an overall 1.8 times return on the investment, contributing to a net of 11.5 percent for its fund. The sale occurred amid internal family dynamics, as the Forbes heirs sought to accelerate global growth while retaining a . In 2007, Elevation acquired SDI Media Group, the world's largest provider of subtitling and language dubbing services, from in a deal with undisclosed terms, positioning it as a key player in global localization for content. Under Elevation's ownership, SDI expanded its operations to address growing demand for multilingual content delivery, leveraging technological innovations and the firm's industry relationships to support client needs in a evolving market. The investment aligned with Elevation's strategy in media services, though it ultimately faced headwinds, resulting in the stake being seized by creditors as part of broader fund challenges. Elevation's media and publishing investments were driven by a rationale to capitalize on in and , particularly leveraging co-founder Bono's extensive connections to foster synergies between , , and platforms. While the stake delivered solid returns despite market pressures, smaller plays like SDI encountered disruption and financial strains, highlighting the sector's volatility during Elevation's active period.

Technology and Entertainment Investments

Elevation Partners made significant investments in the technology and entertainment sectors, particularly in gaming and software companies, as part of its strategy to back innovative digital platforms. One of its earliest and most notable moves was the 2005 acquisition of majority stakes in BioWare Corp. and Pandemic Studios for approximately $300 million, which the firm merged under VG Holding Corp. to foster creative synergies in role-playing and action-adventure game development. This combination aimed to leverage BioWare's expertise in narrative-driven titles like the Dragon Age series and Pandemic's strengths in real-time strategy games such as Star Wars: Empire at War. In 2007, Elevation sold VG Holding to Electronic Arts for up to $860 million, including $620 million in cash and potential earnouts, delivering a 2.8x return on the initial investment. The firm also pursued opportunities in gaming intellectual property through a failed bid for in 2005, offering 50 pence per share in a £71 million all-cash deal to acquire the publisher behind the franchise. Although initially accepted, rival bidder Entertainment topped the offer with a share-swap proposal valued at £76.1 million, leading Elevation to withdraw after gaining support from only a minority of shareholders. This unsuccessful attempt highlighted Elevation's interest in established gaming IPs but underscored the competitive landscape of entertainment acquisitions. In mobile technology, Elevation invested heavily in Palm, Inc., starting with a $325 million purchase of a 25% stake in June 2007 to support the development of the platform, a Linux-based operating system designed for multitasking on and other devices. The firm followed with additional infusions, including $110 million in convertible preferred shares in 2008 and further warrants, totaling around $460 million by 2010. However, Palm's Pre and failed to gain significant market traction against competitors like Apple's and Google's , resulting in Hewlett-Packard's $1.2 billion acquisition of Palm in 2010, which yielded Elevation only a modest 5.4% gain or about $25 million on its stake. Elevation's technology portfolio extended to social media with a minority investment in , acquiring shares worth $268 million across deals in late 2009 and June 2010 at blended valuations between $14 billion and $23 billion, securing approximately a 1.5% stake. This pre-IPO bet capitalized on Facebook's rapid user growth and digital advertising potential, allowing partial exit through the company's 2012 , which generated a 5.6x return on the investment. Another key holding was Move, Inc., a real estate technology platform operating sites like , in which invested $100 million in November 2005 to fuel online property search and listing services. The stake supported Move's listing and expansion in digital real estate tools, culminating in News Corp's $950 million acquisition in 2014, providing with a profitable exit amid the growing online property sector. Elevation also invested in , participating in a $25 million Series E round in January 2010 to support the expansion of its local business review platform. The investment aligned with the firm's focus on consumer-facing digital services, yielding returns through Yelp's 2012 IPO and subsequent growth. In addition, Elevation made an initial undisclosed investment in MarketShare Partners, a firm, in 2009, followed by further funding to enhance its software for enterprise clients. Through Elevation Investors II (2012–2015), the firm backed emerging technology companies, including minority stakes in (hospitality platform), (ride-sharing service), and (wireless audio systems), contributing to its portfolio in disruptive consumer technologies. Overall, Elevation's technology and entertainment investments yielded mixed results, with strong gains from gaming and successes like and offsetting setbacks in mobile hardware such as , reflecting broader challenges in navigating volatile tech markets during the late .

Closure and Legacy

Dissolution Process

Elevation Partners initiated the wind-down of its portfolio in 2012, with several key asset sales marking the beginning of the dissolution process. For instance, the firm sold portions of its investments during this period, including a significant stake in Forbes Media in 2014, where it realized proceeds that allowed it to recoup its original $300 million investment plus some gains, achieving approximately 1.8 times its invested capital on that deal. By 2015, the fund's activities concluded with the sale of its last remaining portfolio company, enabling the full to limited partners (LPs). The dissolution was driven by a combination of underperforming investments and broader market challenges. Notable losses stemmed from its heavy exposure to , where Elevation invested a total of $460 million between 2007 and 2008 but realized only a $25 million profit upon its sale to in 2010, yielding a mere 5% return amid Palm's failure to compete in the evolving mobile smartphone market dominated by and . Additionally, the exacerbated losses on leveraged positions, while the firm's strategy struggled to adapt to rapid shifts toward and mobile technologies, contributing to overall underperformance. Internal partner departures, such as co-founder Marc Bodnick's resignation in 2011, further complicated operations during this phase. The mechanics of the closure involved no new fundraises after 2010, following LPs' refusal to grant an investment extension, which halted further capital calls and new deals. Remaining assets were transferred or managed through successor vehicles established by key personnel, such as NextEquity Partners, formed by former partners including Fred Anderson and to handle ongoing exits. The $1.9 billion fund, raised in 2004, ultimately delivered returns below benchmarks, reflecting the impact of crisis-related losses and unprofitable holdings. Operationally, the dissolution included formal filings to wind down the entity and complete distributions by mid-2015, ensuring all committed capital was returned without additional fundraising efforts. This process marked the end of Elevation Partners as an active investment vehicle, with the firm ceasing operations after successfully liquidating its .

Post-Closure Impact and Successors

Elevation Partners' approach to , particularly its integration of influence in and investments, helped pioneer a model for celebrity-backed funds targeting the convergence of these sectors. By leveraging high-profile figures like to bridge entertainment and tech, the firm demonstrated how intellectual property-driven strategies could attract attention and capital to undervalued assets transitioning to digital platforms. This model influenced subsequent funds emphasizing monetization in entertainment-tech hybrids, such as those focusing on content licensing and . Following the firm's closure, its principals pursued distinct paths that extended Elevation's legacy. Roger McNamee, a co-founder, has remained active as a tech critic, particularly voicing concerns about artificial intelligence's societal risks in 2025 interviews, warning of overinvestment in unproven large language models and potential monopolistic outcomes in the AI sector. , another co-founder, shifted toward by co-founding The Rise Fund in 2016 under TPG, a $2 billion vehicle targeting in sectors like education and healthcare, aligning with broader trends in private equity. These trajectories reflect a diversification from pure media-tech plays to broader ethical and technological oversight. Successor entities and residual assets underscore the firm's enduring footprint. In 2015, co-founder Bret Pearlman launched NextEquity Partners, which adopted a similar equity strategy in technology and , investing in scalable platforms at the media-tech to sustain Elevation's investment thesis. As of 2025, NextEquity Partners remains active, having welcomed a new venture partner in January 2025 and leading a financing round for film and TV distributor Filmhub in May 2025. Key legacy investments highlight long-term impact. Elevation's acquisition of a 1.5% stake in for approximately $210 million in 2009-2010 ballooned to nearly $1 billion by 2011 valuations, exemplifying the firm's foresight in social media's growth and providing substantial returns that bolstered its reputation despite later challenges. Additionally, through McNamee's efforts, he facilitated major donations to the starting in 2005 and personally donated over $300,000, supporting the expansion of open-access knowledge resources like amid debates on nonprofit funding models. By 2025, with the firm fully defunct, its principles of media-tech fusion continue to resonate in contemporary , evident in specialized entertainment-tech funds that prioritize IP and .

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