Jerry Colonna is a recognized expert in organizational development and entrepreneurialism. Most recently a partner with JPMorgan Partners (JPMP), the private-equity arm of JPMorgan Chase where he led the firm’s investments in companies such as ProfitLogic Inc. Colonna had previously been an investor in early-stage information technology companies for more than seven years.During his time at JPMP, his commitment to the non-profit sector increased significantly. In the fall of 2001, he worked with The Partnership for the City of New York to help launch the Financial Recovery Fund, a $10 million-plus program that made recoverable grants to small businesses impacted by the attacks on the World Trade Center.In January 2002, he was named co-Executive Director of NYC2012, the organization designed to secure the City’s designation as the representation in the competition to host the 2012 Olympic Games. In that year, he helped the organization raise more than $6 million to further those efforts.He joined JPMP from Flatiron Partners. With his partner, Fred Wilson, Jerry launched Flatiron in August 1996. Flatiron became one of the most successful, early stage investment programs. During its six years of active investing, Flatiron invested more than $500 million and has, to date, returned more than $1.7 billion. Those companies currently in the active part of that portfolio represent more than $150 million of investments.During his tenure with Flatiron, Jerry was responsible for the firm’s investments in such notable companies as Geocities Inc. and Gamesville Inc. Jerry joined his first venture firm, CMG@Ventures L.P. ("@Ventures"), in February 1995 as a founding partner. CMG@Ventures was the first "Internet-specific" venture firm. Prior to joining @Ventures, Jerry worked for ten years for CMP Media Inc. From 1985 to 1993, he served in a variety of roles at InformationWeek, including a three-year stint as its Editor.Since leaving JPMP at the end of 2002, Jerry has split his time between writing a column for Inc magazine’s website, Inc.com, and consulting with a variety of organizations. In 2003, for example, he and his partner Sarah Holloway formed Hudson Heights Partners. HHP is a for-profit effort that works with non-profit clients to: a) diversify their earned revenue streams, b) effect strategic reorganizations, and c) revitalize and enhance their boards of directors. HHP’s clients include the National Academy Foundation (a national leader in the "small school" initiative); the Children’s Museum of Manhattan; and Readnet Foundation (a developer of alternative pedagogical models for early childhood and the operator of a charter school in the Bronx based on those principles).Jerry currently serves on the boards of directors of PlanetOut Partners Inc., ProfitLogic Inc., Breathe Media LLC, Gurunet Inc., SnapBridge Inc. He also serves as a director of a number of non-profit organizations including Pencil, NPowerNY Inc. (which he helped found in 2000), The Queens College Foundation, Exploring the Arts Inc., Kripalu Center, and NYC2012.Jerry has been named to Upside Magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential People of the New Economy, Forbes ASAP’s list of the best VCs in the country, and Worth’s list of the 25 most generous young Americans. A graduate of Queens College, City University of New York, Jerry lives in Port Washington, New York with his wife, Barbara Chang, and their three children: Sam, Emma, and Michael. |