Leadership and Founding Story

Richard M. Zelson

MyStream Founder, Chairman & CEO

Richard first envisioned MyStream® to finally enable people to connect directly and wirelessly, to share live, real-life, experiences.

While traveling and (occasionally) studying abroad, Richard listened to his few songs, on repeat, as friends enjoyed better libraries.

Richard wondered, why can't our devices live-stream directly and wirelessly?  It’d be so useful, and may not need Internet or cell service.

With the widespread use of smartphones, Richard saw an opportunity to create the solution, and so he assembled a team of advisors, investors and engineers.

After lots of R&D, MyStream® was born, successfully realizing Richard’s vision to improve direct communications and create a way for people to "Share Experiences, Not Headphones!™”. In fact, the inventions MyStream developed not only improved direct communications and enabled new utilities to be created, but they also solved many other problems that still impair countless network communications, online and offline, every day.

Richard now holds five (5) granted U.S. Patents protecting MyStream’s core innovations and capabilities.

In the press, MyStream® has been recognized as a “Leader & Success” by Investors Business Daily, a “great…well executed app” by USA Today, and even an “Awesome App” by Rolling Stone.

Richard and the team envision significant environmentally and socially beneficial uses for MyStream’s custom cloud, as well as other fun ones too. For example, MyStream’s technology can be used to: improve emergency communications, efficiently expand broadband access, upgrade the in-venue streaming experience for those with hearing impairments and more.

MyStream’s frameworks can also be used in other novel and fun ways, too, such as enabling companies to create apps where their users’ can: automatically connect devices without manual pairing, enjoy new experiences with high definition live streaming, or play new types dynamic video games that can be enjoyed multiplayer even when devices are offline, using MyStream’s custom Bluetooth and Wi-Fi compatibility, and more.

An active member of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, Richard has been a member of the Rolling Stone Culture Council, Nexus Global, the MIT Enterprise Forum of NY, the Forbes Impact Investing Community, the Young Entrepreneurs Council, and Entrepreneurs Roundtable.  Richard has also spoken at conferences and participated in numerous summits at the White House, U.S. Institute of Peace, and United Nations.  

In addition to Richard’s activities at MyStream, Richard loves music, philosophy, nature, supporting the arts, playing and watching soccer, hockey, and squash, advising others and time with family and friends.

Richard Cooperstein

MyStream Vice-Chairman

Richard Cooperstien is MyStream’s Vice-Chairman, bringing his experience building some of the world’s fastest growing companies to help guide and accelerate MyStream’s future growth and development.

Richard was the original senior director and head of international business development and strategy at Facebook. He has served as an executive, investor, board member, founder, or consultant to numerous transformative technology companies in TMT, mobile, video distribution, streaming, monetization, advertising, social and content sharing networks.

Prior to FB, Richard served as CFO and Senior Vice President of Disney’s Worldwide Television Group where he managed finance, business development and equity ventures. He coordinated and oversaw financial, business development, strategy, as well as the equity joint ventures group for Disney, representing several billion dollars in annual revenue.

Previously, Richard served in operational, advisory and/or executive management roles within Viacom Entertainment Group, Paramount Pictures as well as HBO International and Warner Brothers International Television groups.

Richard has also been involved with various philanthropic activities, including serving as chairman of a global charitable initiative driving philanthropy across the social Internet, as well as participating in several White House, World Economic Forum and United Nations summits and other leadership initiatives on technology, media, television, social investing, sustainability, philanthropy and job creation. He is on the Board of the University of Cumbria’s Institute for Leadership and Sustainability in the UK.

Richard received his Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Harvard College, a Master’s Degree in Law from Cambridge University, and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Harvard Business School. He has also completed the undergraduate pre-law program at the LSE and the executive program on negotiation at Harvard Law School/MIT

Richard has held Series 7 and Series 63 licenses with FINRA. He is an avid sportsman (tennis, swimming, running), travels extensively and enjoys boating.

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