10 Years | Sewichi > Placed > Snap > Foursquare > Foursquare V2

TL;DR: I’m stepping down as CEO of Foursquare at the end of the year.

When I started Placed, I was 30, the iPhone was on version 4, Android released Gingerbread, and I made the bet that measuring the physical world would be as important as measuring the digital world. At the end of 2020, I will step down as CEO of Foursquare proudly knowing that I led and was part of a group of exceptional people that delivered on the vision to build the undisputed leader in location.

My time with Foursquare has been nothing short of exciting starting with the spinout from Snapchat. We pursued new endeavors and raised the bar in the location industry and then doubled it (MRC Accreditation). In the face of the greatest decline in human mobility, Foursquare not only survived, but thrived by returning to growth and record profitability.

I am incredibly proud to see Foursquare solidify its position as the true location layer of the internet these last 18 months. It has been an honor to lead the industry’s most talented team, which beyond the many accolades and milestones we’ve achieved, we have forever changed location:

• The acquisition of Placed, the company I founded and leader in offline attribution, with over $150MM+ in revenue generated since Placed’s inception in 2011
• Leading the merger with Factual, the leader in location-based audiences to deliver on the narrative of #1, #1, #1
• In 2019, exceeding $150MM+ in calendar year revenue and hitting our first profitable quarter in Q4 2019
• Delivering one of the most impressive business bounces in the pandemic and returning to and then exceeding pre-COVID revenue numbers in Q3 2020 across almost all business lines
• Anticipating full year profitability since the merger with Factual
• A return to expansive growth in Q4 2020 with over 40+ openings across the entire organization
• Building a team of 300+ that consists of the best of three leaders in location across Foursquare, Placed and Factual, creating what is now the most dynamic force in location

With the results that Foursquare has delivered in the past year, opportunities arise for the company, many of which would have required a significant multi-year commitment on my side. As a founder, investor and colleague, this was a difficult decision I took with careful consideration. Ultimately, the timing was right to step down after a decade leading the greatest collection of companies in location and would allow me to return to my entrepreneurial roots.

Over the next two months, I’ll work closely with the team at Foursquare, partners, and clients to ensure a seamless transition. I like to use the analogy of Voltron when talking about the combination of Foursquare, Factual, and Placed. This analogy is even more accurate when it comes to the leaders and employees that are driving each part of the business, and they are the reason for Foursquare’s successes.

Post-Foursquare, I am planning to take a few months to visit the 8 countries that I’m allowed to visit, focus on health and make one final attempt to have a visible six-pack once in my life, and find time to explore a few (non-location) ideas that have been bouncing around in my head.

With great companies, the journey never stops regardless of the driver (me) and that is Foursquare (Ferrari). I remain a committed founder, colleague, friend, and investor in the opportunities ahead of Foursquare. To Team Foursquare, thank you for your relentless energy, enthusiasm and passion for the company. It is in good hands because of the incredible team in place (Voltron). Thanks for the shared successes and memories; I’ll be supporting and cheering you all along as you continue to blaze Foursquare’s path to success. I look forward to the day that I regret ever leaving Foursquare, as it means that my friends and colleagues have continued to thrive and set a standard that will live on long after any one person.

Change is inevitable, growth is optional. Foursquare and I choose growth.