Rick Heitzmann, co-founder and partner at FirstMark and a Georgetown graduate, joined Drew Peterson (MSB’25) for a conversation at the 2024 Venture in the Capital Conference, Georgetown’s first student-led conference on venture capital, entrepreneurship and public policy. Heitzmann has led investments in companies including Pinterest, Riot Games and DraftKings.
Heitzmann said there is no required path into venture, but his finance and international business studies at Georgetown and his time in banking taught him valuation and business models. As an executive at First Advantage after Sept. 11, he took 87 meetings to raise $16 million, an experience that gave him empathy for founders. He explained why early investors should back ideas that are different but aligned with large trends, why “you are the company you keep” guides his firm, and where he sees AI and health care companies creating real value as the venture market recovers.