Dailymotion co-founder Benjamin Bejbaum has quit the company, seemingly making way for Mark Zaleski. He will remain a board member. First started in February 2005 by Bejbaum and Olivier Poitrey, the Paris-based video site scored $9.5 million from Atlas Ventures and Partech International a year later and got a whopping $34 million led by Advent Venture Partners and AGF Private Equity last August, after hiring Zaleski from QXL as executive chairman. But Zaleski has recently been referred to as co-CEO.
Some web folk tongues are wagging about the circumstances of the departure. Atlas has closely coordinated the outfit and its VC Fred Destin had glowing words for Bejbaum on his blog: “Sure we had our moments, as with any hypergrowth company, but it certainly was a great kick for me to work with Ben from the early days and see this company evolve.” Like Bejbaum, the founder of another Atlas portfolio company, NetVibes founder Tariq Krim stepped back to the board three weeks ago.
Dailymotion is in a growth phase, currently trying to monetise its growing traffic and grappling with a lawsuit from French TV network TF1. It’s targeting 10 million euros and it’s not inconceivable that TF1 will seek an equity stake in return for dropping its suit.
(Photo: catalyseurs_numeriques)