New Media Ventures is the first national network of early stage investors who are investing their time and money into new, cutting edge, start-ups focused on building progressive change. Members join to learn more about opportunities that they couldn’t find anywhere else.

It is a project of the Democracy Alliance, a partnership of changemakers committed to strengthening democracy by investing in and fostering collaboration among progressive leaders and institutions. Launched in 2005, the Democracy Alliance has emerged as one of the largest drivers of progressive activist funding in the country.

New Media Ventures is directed by Christie George. The board consists of:

• John Johnson, Co-Founder, Buzzfeed.com
• Mike Mathieu, Founder, FrontSeat.org
• Rob McKay, Democracy Alliance Board Chair
• John Schwartz, Founder, Free Speech TV
• Sandor Straus, Managing Director, Merfin LLC, President, Firedoll Foundation
• Felicia Wong, Senior Vice President Investment Services, Democracy Alliance

Advisors include:

• James Rucker, Co-Founder, Citizen Engagement Lab
• Matt Ewing, former Political Director, MoveOn.org

Ultimately, New Media Ventures aims to help investors support projects that increase citizen engagement and participation, creating lasting social change.