Adam Nelson
Partner·FirstMark
Bio
Professional summary
Adam Nelson is a Partner at FirstMark, where his official profile highlights a focus on fintech and vertical software, including companies such as Kasa, Backflip, Workstep, and Authentic. Since 2022, he has organized Fintech Driven, a private community for fintech leaders in New York. Prior to FirstMark, he spent nearly a decade in Silicon Valley investing at South Park Commons and Social Capital, after earlier operating roles at Twitter and Dropbox. He began his career in investment banking and private equity and holds degrees from Brown University and Stanford GSB.
Investment focus
Stage, sector, and overall fit
Stage
Sector
Thesis
Notable companies
Selected portfolio companies the partner has backed
How to approach
Framing and angles for outreach
Pitch framing
Lead with fintech or vertical-software category insight, a specific wedge, and evidence that the team can scale partnerships or distribution.
Partneralization hooks
- 1Reference Fintech Driven if the company is relevant to fintech leaders.
- 2Connect the pitch to operator-led revenue partnerships or platform distribution.
Recent signals
What the partner has said or done recently
Organizes Fintech Driven, a private community for fintech leaders in New York.
FirstMark profile highlights EvolutionIQ's acquisition by CCC for $730M.
Background
Career, education, and skills
Career history
- FirstMark CapitalManaging DirectorJul 2019 - Present
- South Park CommonsVenture PartnerFeb 2019 - Aug 2019
- Social CapitalBoard PartnerOct 2018 - Jul 2019
- Social CapitalPartnerDec 2016 - Oct 2018
- Social CapitalPrincipalDec 2015 - Dec 2016
- DropboxHead of Revenue Partnerships (Director)Jan 2015 - Nov 2015
- DropboxHead of Channel PartnershipsAug 2012 - Dec 2014
- TwitterBusiness Development InternJul 2011 - Sep 2011
Education
- Stanford Graduate School of BusinessMBA2010-2012
- Brown UniversityBA, Political Science2002-2006
Skills
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