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Ben Smith

Former Venture Partner at Accelerator Ventures

Fairhope, Alabama, United States

Writes $50K – $500K checks · typically $200K

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About

Ben Smith is Vice Chairman of Innovation and Ventures at Kearney, where he has served as a senior partner for over 30 years and founded the firm's Digital, AI, and Analytics practice. He advises technology companies and enterprises on strategic issues including innovation, partnerships, and acquisitions across multiple industries and geographies, and has held roles as entrepreneur, board member, and investor in over 40 ventures. Smith previously led Kearney's Communications, Media, and Technology Practice, co-founded the firm's Board Ready platform, and served as Senior Adviser for Strategy and Planning to the Secretary of Transportation following 9-11.

Experience

  1. KearneyVice Chairman, Innovation and Venturescurrent2026 — presentFairhope, Alabama, United States
  2. KearneyBoard Member, Chairman Finance and Audit Committeecurrent2021 — presentFairhope, Alabama, United States
  3. KearneyChairman, Global Practice Lead- Digital, AI and Analytics Practice, Managing Partner Leadership Team2023 — 2026Fairhope, Alabama, United States
  4. KearneySenior Partner, Americas Practice Leader- Communications, Media, and Technology Practice2018 — 2023San Francisco Bay Area
  5. KearneySenior Partner-Communications, Media, and Technology Practice2016 — 2018San Jose, California, United States
  6. Cendana CapitalAdvisor and Limited Partnercurrent2010 — presentSan Francisco Bay Area
  7. The Futurum GroupBoard Membercurrent2026 — presentNorth America
  8. Enlighten VenturesFounder and Partner2001 — 2024
  9. VF Venture FoundryStrategic Advisor2021 — 2024
  10. Spoke SoftwareCo-Founder and Board Member2006 — 2024Silicon Valley
  11. ACCELERATOR VENTURE CAPITALVenture Partner2011 — 2023San Francisco Bay Area
  12. Glu MobileBoard of Directors2010 — 2021www.glu.com
  13. BTSIV, LLCManaging Partner2001 — 2018Silicon Valley, California
  14. Wanderful MediaChief Executive Officer2012 — 2016Silicon Valley, Ca
  15. Reply.comPresident Reply! Media2011Mountain View, Ca
  16. MerchantCircle (sold to Reply, 2011)Co-Founder,CEO and Chairman of Board2004 — 2011Mountain View, Ca
  17. TapulousBoard2008 — 2010Palo Alto, California, United States
  18. Rustic Canyon PartnersExecutive in Residence2004 — 2009
  19. Borland SoftwareChief Executive Officer (CodeGear)2006 — 2007
  20. Borland SoftwareSVP Corporate Development/Strategic Advisor2005 — 2007Silicon Valley
  21. Spoke SoftwareCo-Founder, Chairman and CEO2002 — 2005Palo Alto, California
  22. U.S. Department of Homeland SecuritySenior Advisor, Strategy and Planning, Department of Transportation2001 — 2002http://www.tsa.gov/
  23. Electronic Data SystemsVice President, Venture Development1999 — 2002
  24. A.T. KearneyVice President, Partner1994 — 2002Silicon Valley
  25. CasbahActing CEO2000
  26. Union Pacific RailroadInterim SVP Sales and Marketing (Skyway Freight Systems)1997 — 1998
  27. EYManager Management Consulting1993 — 1994
  28. VariousMany things along my way1982 — 1993

Skills & more

Software as a Service (SaaS)Enterprise Software38Salesforce.com4Board LevelData CentersBoard GovernanceQuantum ComputingSemiconductor IndustryInnovation ManagementMergers & Acquisitions (M&A)Artificial Intelligence (AI)1Mergers18
+12 moreStrategic PlanningMarketing StrategyVenture CapitalCompany TurnaroundEntrepreneurshipNew Business DevelopmentCorporate DevelopmentProduct ManagementCorporate FinanceJoint VenturesDivestituresBusiness Development

From Ben's professional profile.

Network1

Alexander Lloyd
Founder & Managing Director at Accelerator Ventures

Investors connected to Ben in public investor directories — a warm-intro map.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Ben Smith?
Ben Smith is Vice Chairman of Innovation and Ventures at Kearney, where he has served as a senior partner for over 30 years and founded the firm's Digital, AI, and Analytics practice. He advises technology companies and enterprises on strategic issues including innovation, partnerships, and acquisitions across multiple industries and geographies, and has held roles as entrepreneur, board member, and investor in over 40 ventures. Smith previously led Kearney's Communications, Media, and Technology Practice, co-founded the firm's Board Ready platform, and served as Senior Adviser for Strategy and Planning to the Secretary of Transportation following 9-11.
What check size does Ben Smith write?
Ben Smith typically writes checks of $50K – $500K.
Where did Ben Smith go to school?
Ben Smith studied at Carnegie Mellon University - Tepper School of Business (MSIA/MBA, Strategy); University of California, Davis (BSME, Mechanical Engineering); Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management (Corporate Governance and Effectiveness in the Board Room).

Same school

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