RA

Rafat Ali

Founder of Skift

New York, New York

Overview 

Rafat Ali is the CEO and Founder of Skift, a successful digital media company. With a background in journalism and entrepreneurship, he has built a strong reputation in the media industry and has served on various boards and advisory positions, including the International Women's Media Foundation and Media Development Investment Fund. Ali has a proven track record of founding successful media ventures, such as paidcontent.org, and has leveraged his expertise in digital media and strategic partnerships to lead Skift to prominence in the online travel and hospitality industry.

Work Experience 

S

Skift

  • CEO/Founder

    2011 - Current

    Skift is the largest industry intelligence platform providing MEDIA, INSIGHTS and MARKETING to key sectors of travel. Skift deciphers and defines global travel trends for marketers, strategists and technologists in the global travel industry. Check out: http://Skift.com.

Skift is a travel intelligence media company that delivers news, data and services to its readers.

Raised $1,500,000.00 from HIGHLINEvc, Jason Calacanis, Michael Cunniff, Lerer Hippeau, Duncan Jennings, Advancit Capital, Chris Ahearn, Michael Yavonditte, Paul Noglows and Luke Beatty.

skift.com
IW

International Women's Media Foundation

  • Board Member

    2022

    The IWMF is the only global organization built to serve the holistic needs of women and nonbinary journalists. We are an ambitious, bold and inclusive organization that supports journalists where they are with awards, reporting opportunities, fellowships, grants, safety training and emergency aid. As one of the largest supporters of women-produced journalism, our transformative work strengthens equal opportunity and press freedom worldwide.

MD

Media Development Investment Fund (DigitalNewsVentures)

  • Board of Advisors

    2013 - 2015

    Digital News Ventures makes seed investments in news and information start-ups, and is part of Media Development Investment Fund, which provides financing and business assistance to independent news outlets worldwide. MDIF has invested $130.9m in 94 independent news businesses in 32 countries since 1996.

Media Development Investment Fund provides the news, information, and debate that people need to build free, thriving societies.

mdif.org
IN

Investigative News Network

  • Board Member

    2013 - 2015

    The Investigative News Network helps nonprofit news organizations produce and distribute stories with impact, achieve cost efficiencies by pooling resources and develop new revenue streams to become sustainable businesses. Includes some of the biggest names in journalism — NPR, WNET.org and American Public Radio — as well as startups and everything in between.

G

Gigaom

  • Board of Advisors

    2012 - 2015

    Gigaom provides intelligent, credible analysis of emerging technologies.

Gigaom is a blog-related media company that offers news, analysis, and opinions on startups, emerging technologies.

Raised $22,000,000.00 from REV, Alloy Ventures, True Ventures and Shea Ventures.

gigaom.com
AS

Asia Society

  • Board of Advisors, Digital Media

    2013 - 2014

Asia Society is a non-profit organization that focuses on educating the world about Asia.

asiasociety.org

paidcontent.org

  • Founder, Editor, Publisher

    2002 - 2010

    Founder of paidContent, online media company covering the business of digital media, entertainment and information industries. Was the first blog-media company in existence. Raised one round of venture capital from Greycroft Partners in 2006, sold it to UK-based Guardian News & Media in 2010, and left the company in summer of 2010. The company was subsequently resold to Gigaom Network in early 2012.

Silicon Alley Reporter, Venture Reporter

  • Managing Editor

    2001 - 2002

    Wrote on the usual suspects in digital media, including tech, business, venture capital and M&A side of it.

Inside.com

  • Digital Media Reporter

    2001 - 2001

    Digital media reporter at Inside.com, one of the early online-only digital media news startups.

Education 

Investments 

DHARMA

Seed

Total funding: $5M

El Camino Travel

Pre Seed

Total funding: $1M

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