Pete Snyder, who a dozen years ago founded New Media Strategies in Rosslyn, announced today that he is stepping down to form a new venture capital company, Disruptor Capital, to invest in technology, media, and public affairs groups in the Washington region. He says they are an underserved market. “There are a million and one media and public affairs opportunities, a whole market place of terrific companies oriented in and around Washington,” he says. “There’s no angel targeting that particular industry. I want to be that angel.” He says he’ll target startups and growing companies.
Snyder sold the company to Meredith Corp. five years ago, staying with NMS for two years past his three-year earn-out. So why is he leaving now? “It’s just time,” Snyder says. “I’m leaving the company I founded 12 years ago as the first social media marketing company in the world, but at heart I’m an entrepreneur, and I need to scratch that part of me.” He’ll remain affiliated with NMS as a senior adviser.
Snyder, 39, says he’s also been asked by the Republican National Committee chairman and Virginia governor Bob McDonnell to “head victory efforts for Virginia in 2012. Which means I’m the head of efforts for president, the Senate race, and 13 congressional races.”
The new Disruptor office will be based in Alexandria. Snyder is building the company from the ground up. The first day of business is January 1, and “yes, I’ll be hiring,” Snyder says. When asked if this indicates he feels strongly about the economic future, he says, “I absolutely do. In the region, not the nation. I feel very strong about the environment for entrepreneurs in this region.”
Update: As for rumors that he’s considering a run for Virginia lieutenant governor, Snyder says, “Yes, I’m considering it.”
Pete Snyder Steps Down From New Media Strategies to Start up Disruptor Capital
The entrepreneur plans to open his new venture capital company on the first of the year.
Pete Snyder, who a dozen years ago founded New Media Strategies in Rosslyn, announced today that he is stepping down to form a new venture capital company, Disruptor Capital, to invest in technology, media, and public affairs groups in the Washington region. He says they are an underserved market. “There are a million and one media and public affairs opportunities, a whole market place of terrific companies oriented in and around Washington,” he says. “There’s no angel targeting that particular industry. I want to be that angel.” He says he’ll target startups and growing companies.
Snyder sold the company to Meredith Corp. five years ago, staying with NMS for two years past his three-year earn-out. So why is he leaving now? “It’s just time,” Snyder says. “I’m leaving the company I founded 12 years ago as the first social media marketing company in the world, but at heart I’m an entrepreneur, and I need to scratch that part of me.” He’ll remain affiliated with NMS as a senior adviser.
Snyder, 39, says he’s also been asked by the Republican National Committee chairman and Virginia governor Bob McDonnell to “head victory efforts for Virginia in 2012. Which means I’m the head of efforts for president, the Senate race, and 13 congressional races.”
The new Disruptor office will be based in Alexandria. Snyder is building the company from the ground up. The first day of business is January 1, and “yes, I’ll be hiring,” Snyder says. When asked if this indicates he feels strongly about the economic future, he says, “I absolutely do. In the region, not the nation. I feel very strong about the environment for entrepreneurs in this region.”
Update: As for rumors that he’s considering a run for Virginia lieutenant governor, Snyder says, “Yes, I’m considering it.”
Most Popular in News & Politics
A DNC Official Will Run for Eleanor Holmes Norton’s Seat
Want to Search Donald Trump’s Truth Social Posts? A New Site Is Here to Help.
Another Mysterious Anti-Trump Statue Has Appeared on the National Mall
FBI Building Now on Track to Leave DC After All, Whistleblower Leaks Texts Suggesting Justice Department Planned to Blow Off Federal Court Orders, and NPS Cuts Leave Assateague Island Without Lifeguards
The Washington Nationals Just Fired the Manager and GM Who Led Them to a Championship. Why Has the Team Been so Bad Since?
Washingtonian Magazine
July Issue: The "Best Of" Issue
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
How Would a New DC Stadium Compare to the Last One?
The Culture of Lacrosse Is More Complex Than People Think
Did Television Begin in Dupont Circle?
Kings Dominion’s Wild New Coaster Takes Flight in Virginia
More from News & Politics
Arlington Unleashes Robots on Its Sidewalks
Gayle King on Giving Her First Commencement Speech at UMD
Trump Denies He Doodled Naked Lady for Epstein, Youngkin Visits Iowa, and Dan Snyder’s Old House Got Even Cheaper
Senate to Big Bird: Drop Dead; Trump Orders Coca-Cola to Use Sugar; and We Found Great Taiwanese Lunch at a Gas Station
No, You’re Not the Only One Dealing With DCA Flight Anxiety
“Christ or Chaos”: A Conservative Church With Political Ties Comes to Washington
A Look Inside the Spy Museum’s Long-Awaited Vault Collection
Trayon White Wins Election to Replace Trayon White, Trump Claimed His Uncle Taught the Unabomber, and We Tried Some Canadian Snacks