Stephen Messer

Stephen Messer is an accomplished entrepreneur and investor, currently serving as a board member at Spire Global, Inc. since May 2014. He has a notable background in the technology and venture capital sectors, having co-founded several companies and held significant leadership roles.

Education and Early Career

Messer earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with dual majors in Government and Law, as well as History from Lafayette College, followed by a Juris Doctor from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. He began his career at the Columbia Institute for Tele-Information, where he focused on key issues in cybercommunications and telecommunications during the mid-1990s.12

Professional Achievements

Messer is best known for founding LinkShare Corporation, an affiliate marketing service, where he served as CEO and chairman until its acquisition by Rakuten, Inc. in 2005 for $425 million. He also co-founded Collective[i], a predictive analytics company, and is involved with various venture capital firms, including Zephir Worldwide LLC and World Evolved Services, LLC.123

In addition to his role at Spire, Messer has served on the boards of multiple private companies and is active in the startup community, advising various ventures and investment firms. His contributions to the field have earned him recognition, including being named a finalist for the American Business Awards and receiving the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2005.24

Personal Interests

Outside of his professional endeavors, Messer is known to be an avid cyclist and yoga practitioner, reflecting a commitment to both physical fitness and well-being.2