Rich Barton’s Exit Strategy?
Zillow’s CEO is starting a hedge fund along with two other Seattle entrepreneurs, says John Cook:
The partners in the fund, which is in the early stages of formation, are Zillow.com Chief Executive Rich Barton, Second Avenue Partners co-founder Nick Hanauer and Delafield Hambrecht Chief Executive J.D. Delafield.
What does this mean for Zillow? Is Barton looking to jump ship?
If I were his VC I wouldn’t be too happy that his attention is being diverted, especially considering its current troubles.
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Andy Denton | Nov 3, 2006 | Reply
This isn’t anything new. Rich has been involved with other opportunities from the very beginning. IMHO, Zillow’s recent attacks are just the “have-not’s” complaining. If you don’t think Zillow has a plan and intends to execute, I think we’d be selling them short. If not by their brain power and gusto, all their VC money will guarantee that this happens.
mike simonsen | Nov 8, 2006 | Reply
Barton’s actually a venture partner (read: gets to dabble in the “carry”) at Benchmark. So very likely they knew exactly what he’s doing.
http://www.benchmark.com/sv/venture_partners/barton.shtml
A lot of folks treat private equity as a “lifestyle” business (like a lot or realtors, only waaay better), so maybe he’s just working three part-time gigs.