Early Life
Ric Elias was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He earned a B.S. in accounting from Boston College in 1989 and an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1994.
Rise to Success
Elias began his career in General Electric's financial management program. In 2000, he co-founded Red Ventures with Dan Feldstein. Red Ventures has grown to include over 100 news and information sites, reaching over 300 million readers worldwide monthly. The company has acquired various companies, including CNET Media Group in 2020. Elias's leadership has been instrumental in steering the company through significant growth and acquisitions, establishing Red Ventures as a major player in the digital media landscape.
Key Business Strategies
Red Ventures focuses on news, advice, and review websites, generating revenue through affiliate commissions and advertising. The company's strategy includes acquiring specialized websites and building closer ties with financial services clients.
Philanthropy
Elias is committed to giving back, as evidenced by his signing of The Giving Pledge with his wife, Brenda. He has founded several non-profits, including Golden Door Scholars and Road to Hire, providing educational and career opportunities. In 2017, he launched Rebuild Puerto Rico to raise funds for hurricane relief, pledging to match donations. In 2018, Elias launched Forward787, a social enterprise to build businesses in Puerto Rico.
