About Scott Belsky
Scott Belsky is an entrepreneur, author, and investor, best known as the founder and CEO of Behance, the leading online platform for creatives to showcase and discover creative work. After building Behance into a thriving community, it was acquired by Adobe in 2012. Since joining Adobe, Belsky has played a pivotal role in the company's creative product strategy and community initiatives, currently serving as Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President of Design & New Products.
Beyond his corporate roles, Belsky is an active early-stage investor and advisor to numerous technology and design-centric startups. He also serves as a Venture Partner at Benchmark, a prominent venture capital firm, where he focuses on identifying and supporting the next generation of innovative companies. His unique perspective, combining entrepreneurial experience with deep industry insights, makes him a sought-after mentor and leader in the creative and tech industries.
Net Worth
While Scott Belsky's precise net worth is not publicly disclosed, his wealth is primarily derived from the successful acquisition of Behance by Adobe in 2012, his executive compensation at Adobe, and his extensive angel investing activities. He has been involved in several high-profile exits and continues to build value through his roles at Adobe and Benchmark, as well as his personal investments.
Scott Belsky founded Behance in 2006. The platform grew to become the world's largest creative network, ultimately being acquired by Adobe in December 2012 for an undisclosed sum, estimated to be a significant nine-figure deal. This acquisition formed a substantial part of his financial foundation.
As Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President of Design & New Products at Adobe, Scott Belsky receives significant executive compensation, including salary, bonuses, and equity awards, further contributing to his net worth.
In his role as a Venture Partner at Benchmark, Scott Belsky is involved in the venture capital ecosystem, which can include carried interest from successful fund investments, though his primary function is advisory and sourcing.
Scott Belsky is a prolific angel investor with dozens of investments in early-stage startups across various sectors, particularly in design, creative tools, and future of work. Notable investments include:
Investment Strategy
Scott Belsky's investment strategy is deeply rooted in his background as a founder and his expertise in design, creativity, and community building. He primarily focuses on early-stage technology companies, often those at the intersection of creative tools, future of work, and platforms that empower creators.
He looks for companies with strong product-market fit, visionary founders, and a clear path to building engaged communities. Belsky is particularly interested in businesses that solve real problems for creative professionals and small businesses, leveraging technology to enhance productivity, collaboration, and distribution. His involvement often extends beyond capital, providing strategic advice on product development, design, and scaling operations.
As a Venture Partner at Benchmark, he also contributes to the firm's broader investment themes, which typically involve backing category-defining companies with significant market potential.
Notable Quotes
“It's not about ideas. It's about making ideas happen.”
— Making Ideas Happen
“The most successful people are the ones who are constantly taking notes, reflecting, and iterating on their own 'process' for making their ideas happen.”
— Making Ideas Happen
“Your greatest ideas will remain just that—ideas—until you put them into action.”
— Interview
“Ultimately, the creative community thrives on shared knowledge and the ability to find inspiration and collaborators.”
— Interview on Behance
“Innovation is less about epiphanies and more about iteration and resilience.”
— Speech
Contact Information
Scott Belsky maintains an active presence in the technology and creative communities. For general inquiries or to follow his insights, Twitter (@scottbelsky) and LinkedIn are good starting points.
For investment proposals, particularly those aligning with his focus areas in design, creative technology, and entrepreneurial tools, it is advisable to seek warm introductions through mutual connections within the venture capital and startup ecosystems, or through his association with Benchmark.
Use Lessie to find verified contact information, mutual connections, and the best outreach strategy for reaching Scott Belsky and similar investors.
Contact via LessiePublications
Scott Belsky is the author of the bestselling book 'Making Ideas Happen: Overcoming the Obstacles Between Vision and Reality' (Portfolio/Penguin, 2010). The book provides actionable insights on organization, leadership, and community building for bringing creative projects to fruition.
He also regularly contributes articles and essays on entrepreneurship, creativity, and technology to various publications, including Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and his personal blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Scott Belsky?
What is Scott Belsky known for?
Scott Belsky is widely known for founding Behance, a leading online platform for creative professionals, as well as for his influential book 'Making Ideas Happen.' He is also recognized for his significant role as a top executive at Adobe and his prolific angel investing activities in successful tech startups.
What companies has Scott Belsky invested in?
Scott Belsky has invested in numerous successful companies including Uber, Pinterest, Warby Parker, Stripe, Flexport, Figma, Carta, and Airtable, among many others.
What is Scott Belsky's investment philosophy?
Scott Belsky's investment philosophy centers on early-stage technology companies with strong product-market fit, visionary founders, and a focus on creative tools, future of work, and platforms that empower creators. He values strong design, community building, and solving real user problems.
How can I contact Scott Belsky?
Scott Belsky can be reached through his professional networks on LinkedIn and Twitter. For business inquiries related to Adobe, official channels are recommended. For investment opportunities, those aligned with Benchmark's focus or his personal investment criteria might be considered through appropriate introductions.
What is Scott Belsky's net worth or fund size?
While Scott Belsky's exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, it is substantial, stemming from the acquisition of Behance by Adobe, his executive compensation at Adobe, and his successful angel investments. As a Venture Partner at Benchmark, he contributes to a fund with billions under management.
What are some notable quotes by Scott Belsky?
"It's not about ideas. It's about making ideas happen." and "The most successful people are the ones who are constantly taking notes, reflecting, and iterating on their own 'process' for making their ideas happen."
What are Scott Belsky's career highlights?
Key career highlights include founding Behance and overseeing its acquisition by Adobe, becoming Chief Strategy Officer at Adobe, publishing the best-selling book 'Making Ideas Happen,' and serving as a Venture Partner at Benchmark while making dozens of impactful early-stage investments.