Accel Partners has hired Simon Levene to join its investment team in the firm’s London office.
Levene comes to Accel from Yahoo!, where he worked for four years as managing director of corporate development. His areas of expertise include internet, infrastructure, software and services.
He was responsible for the internet giant’s international strategy, and for sourcing and pursuing new business opportunities in Europe and Israel.
Levene’s scope covered all of Yahoo!’s activities, including search, media and advertising, premium services, marketplace and listings, communications, mobile and core technology infrastructure.
He also led the acquisition of seven companies, deploying $650 million of cash. He helped turn around Yahoo!’s European operations, growing revenues ten-fold.
Accel’s recent investments include: Netvibes, a personalised start pages provider; Spreadshirt, an online marketplace for customised products; and Double Fusion, an in-line games advertising network.
Before Yahoo!, Levene held executive positions at AOL Time Warner in global cross-division investments and mergers and acquisitions.
