alarm:clock

Venture Capital - Sunday, April 9, 2006

Pre-Logo Venture - DeMarseCo Raises $50M

A New York City-based startup that plans to roll-up media companies has raised $50M led by Austin Ventures. DeMarseCo is fronted by Elisabeth DeMarse who was CEO of Bankrate as its profits and stock went through the roof (a:c staffers invested in Bankrate and can vouch for it).

DeMarseCo is vague on its plans - just saying that it is "looking for opportunities in digital information and traditional media — including television, radio and book and magazine publishing — as well as new media." We imagine the pitch is that DeMarsco plans to find properties like BankRate in 2002, an underperforming but valuable property.

DeMarseCo is an odd duck and we appreciate it that their venture backers acknowledge this. Says Austin Ventures' John Thornton: "There's an excess of capital in the venture industry, and the only way to produce superior returns is to do stuff that nobody else has the appetite or capability to do."

Elisabeth DeMarse

Read - Austin Ventures Ads Buy and Build To Its Playbook (Austin Statesman)