Connector

Zachary Richner

Zachary Richner is the Founder and Managing Partner of Arrandale Ventures, a mission-driven, strategic venture capital firm that is creating a truly innovative and sustainable business model for local media companies. Now more than ever, it is critical for the health of our democracy to have an independent and vibrant free press. Zack has successfully invested in startups through his family’s three-generation media firm, Richner Communications, Inc. (RCI), which is one of the largest local content providers in New York State. By leveraging RCI’s core competencies—trusted community relationships with consumers and businesses—he has generated outsize returns on these investments through a unique performance warrant model. Zack further honed his venture investing skills at Fifth Wall Ventures, where he not only evaluated early-stage companies but also developed strategy for new funds. Zack has been repeatedly recognized at the national and local levels for his leadership growing and scaling nascent organizations in innovative ways. He has spent extensive time in high-profile public sector roles, including serving in the White House Office of the Chief of Staff, working as director of the $1 billion NY Rising Community Reconstruction Program and managing the largest state budget in campaign history as Ohio Budget Director for the Obama 2012 campaign. A graduate of Harvard College, Zack received an MBA from Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management and an MS Design Innovation from Northwestern University – McCormick School of Engineering. He is a NEXUS Global delegate and serves on the Kellogg Alumni Leadership Council.

Describe the Impact of a Project you’re focused on.

Through Arrandale Ventures, I am creating a sustainable business model for local journalism. Local journalism is more important today than ever before, and it is facing unprecedented industry and political headwinds. Communities without local journalism outlets experience decreased civic engagement, decreased elected official transparency and accountability, increased costs of municipal borrowing, and increased political polarization.

What results do you hope for when the impact is amplified?

Saving the local journalism industry and bridging political divides!

What do you have to offer as a connector? What can you give as expertise to others?

Extensive network across politics, media and business.