StartupFactory, LLC Advisory Panel
Spend two decades running complicated marketing programs for a large number of Silicon Valley companies, and you meet some pretty smart people. You just can't help it. By carefully choosing whom among our colleagues has the most relevant startup experience we have assembled a small group of experts to serve on the StartupFactory Advisory Panel. These savvy professionals have proven technology business acumen; they are our "ace-in-the-hole" when it comes to solving unique marketing challenges. For any of our customers seeking guidance on preparing for a successful IPO, tips on raising capital without loosing your shirt, launching first-of-their-kind products or taking the economic temperature in Shanghai, these tech industry veterans have seen and done it all. When you choose to work with StartupFactory you enjoy the collective experience of some of the brightest thought leaders, business experts, and technology innovators in the Valley… and beyond!
Panel Members
Sowmya Krishnan is the CEO and founder of SemiTrac, Inc.,
a Santa Clara, CA company providing technology solutions to the semiconductor, MEMS and solar capital equipment industries. Dr. Krishnan recently served as Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Ultra Clean Technology, (Nasdaq:UCTT) a semiconductor equipment subsystem company with annual revenues of approximately $400M. As an executive member of the UCT team, Dr. Krishnan made significant contributions toward positioning the company for a successful acquisition by Francisco Partners in 2000, followed by a successful IPO in 2004. In her role as Chief Technology Officer she was responsible for the overall technology strategy and due diligence related to mergers and acquisitions. She holds two U.S. patents and has authored over 25 technical papers and editorials. Dr. Krishnan received her MS and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Clarkson University.
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David Hubbard is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Alliance Fiber Optic Products (NASDAQ:AFOP) in Mountain View, California.
A seasoned veteran of the fiber optic industry, Mr. Hubbard joined AFOP in 1996. David Hubbard led an effort to position AFOP for a successful IPO in 2001. Before his position at AFOP, Mr. Hubbard served at Tracor/AEL Industries, where he led as director of marketing and business development. Prior to that position, he served nearly a decade at AMP Inc. (now Tyco International) leading a business unit for the LYTEL fiber transceiver division. Mr. Hubbard earned his BS degree in physics from State University of New York and holds an MS degree in physics from the University of Connecticut.
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John Vecchi currently leads the Network Security Product Marketing effort at Check Point Software Technologies, Ltd.
Before this he was VP of Marketing at WebLOQ Inc., where he was responsible for worldwide outbound marketing, product marketing and management, channel development, branding, press and analyst relations, and go-to-market activities. Prior to his service at WebLOQ, Mr. Vecchi served as Sr. Director of Product & Solutions Marketing - Network Security Solutions at McAfee (Nasdaq:MFE). Mr. Vecchi earned his BA degree in International Business from Brown University.
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Bob Nakao is publisher at Gardner Publications.
Mr. Nakao is a business media professional who has developed and managed business-to-business magazines, technical publications, digital products, and industry events for more than 25 years. He has founded several trade magazines and complementary events in a variety of fields such as contamination control, data storage, fluid transfer, facilities management, manufacturing, travel writing, 9-1-1 communications, and disaster recovery. He earned his BA in journalism from California State University, Northridge, and an MBA from the University of La Verne.
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