John Merrells

I am a product and engineering leader with 30 years of experience as a software engineer, systems architect, engineering manager, product manager, technologist, founder, advisor, mentor, consultant, and investor. My technical experience includes architecting, designing and building massively scalable, highly reliable server systems, implementing Internet protocols and database query processors. My technical interests include semi-structured databases, distributed systems and digital identity infrastructures. My business experience includes raising funds, organizational design, recruiting, establishing and maintaining high level partner relationships, due diligence for acquisitions, preparing companies for sale, internal entrepreneurship, and negotiation of commercial contracts. My industry experience includes enterprise software, internet infrastructure, manufacturing, networking, telecommunications, healthcare, education, and games. In my career I have been fortunate enough to participate in 16 exits with a total transaction value of $8.3 billion. And, as a counterpoint, I have also been fortunate enough to learn from the 14 companies that I had a hand in helping fail. I currently spend most of my time mentoring entrepreneurs, coaching CEOs, developing leaders, building product development teams, and advising startups. My goal is to transition my career towards stewardship of communities and governance of companies. I'm seeking opportunities to partner with investment funds and to join boards of companies.