Erik Blachford

Overview

Erik Blachford is an independent venture capital investor and advisor, specializing in consumer technology and travel companies. He founded Blachford Capital LLC in 2021 and has served as a partner at Narrative Fund Management LLC since November 2019. From March 2011 to September 2021, he was a venture partner at Technology Crossover Ventures (TCV). Prior to his venture capital career, Blachford was the CEO of Expedia, Inc. and IAC/InterActiveCorp's travel division, IAC Travel, overseeing brands such as Expedia, Hotels.com, and Hotwire. He also held leadership roles as CEO at Butterfield & Robinson and Terrapass, Inc., and served as Executive Chairman at Couchsurfing International, Inc. Blachford has been an active investor in early-stage private companies, serving on boards including Zillow Group, Glassdoor, Liftopia, Choose Energy, and Siteminder. He is also involved in non-profit organizations, serving on the board of The Cutting Ball Theater in San Francisco and as a member of the U.S. National Council for the World Wildlife Fund. Blachford holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Certificate in Theater from Princeton University, an MBA from Columbia University Graduate School of Business, and a Master of Fine Arts from San Francisco State University.

Investment Focus

• Strong growth potential
• Innovative business models
• Experienced management teams
• Scalable operations
• Clear market differentiation
• Sustainable competitive advantages
• Ability to achieve profitability
• Alignment with personal values and interests
• Commitment to environmental sustainability
• Focus on consumer technology and travel sectors

Portfolio Companies