Adam Nelson
Partner
FirstMark
Adam Nelson is a Partner at FirstMark focused on fintech and vertical software.
Bio
Professional summary
Rick Heitzmann is a Founder and Partner at FirstMark. His official profile says he focuses across technology with an emphasis on disruptive consumer applications, including marketplaces, healthcare, software, and gaming. Public profiles list him as a repeat Forbes Midas List investor. Public sources associate him with investments in Pinterest, Riot Games, DraftKings, Airbnb, StubHub, Discord, and other technology companies.
Investment focus
Stage, sector, and overall fit
Stage
SeedSeries AGrowthMulti-stage
Sector
Consumer applicationsMarketplacesHealthcareSoftwareGaming
Thesis
Disruptive consumer applicationsNetwork-effect businessesMarketplaces and consumer platforms
Notable companies
Selected portfolio companies the partner has backed
PinterestRiot GamesDraftKingsAirbnbStubHubDiscord
How to approach
Framing and angles for outreach
Pitch framing
Lead with the consumer or marketplace behavior shift: why users will adopt now, why the network or demand-side loop compounds, and how the company can become a category leader. For healthcare or gaming pitches, connect the product to a broader consumer adoption pattern rather than only a vertical market thesis.
Personalization hooks
- 1Reference his official focus on disruptive consumer applications.
- 2Connect to marketplace dynamics if the startup has network effects.
- 3Mention relevant parallels to Pinterest, Riot Games, DraftKings, Airbnb, StubHub, or Discord only when substantively relevant.
- 4Reference his long-running FirstMark founder role if discussing firm-building or platform support.
Recent signals
What the partner has said or done recently
Official profile continues to list him as Founder and Partner focused on disruptive consumer applications.
Forbes profile highlights his Midas List record and early investment in Pinterest.
Quoted in 2025 coverage of Crisp's funding round, indicating continued portfolio activity.
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