Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Hobbies and Interests
Languages
Languages
Affiliations
References
Timeline
Generic

JOHN BURTON

San Francisco Bay Area

Summary

An experienced tech executive with a background in both hardware and software. Excels in building cross-functional teams of the best of the best. Equally at home in the commercial and the technical worlds, able to present at the 'C' suite level and an experienced public speaker. A strategic thinker who is able to rapidly grasp new technologies, see the potential, and formulate and execute a plan to capitalize on market opportunities. Now seeking a senior position in a tech company bridging technical and commercial responsibilities.

Overview

35
35
years of professional experience

Work History

CEO and Co-Founder

UrsaLeo
San Francisco Bay Area
04.2017 - Current
  • Company Overview: A SaaS company focused on delivering digital twins combined with real time data, streamed from NVIDIA's graphics cloud. UrsaLeo has also implemented generative AI to allow querying of all attached data sources through a simple chatbot.
  • Raised $5.5M over 5 years from Plains VC, WWJTD and private investors
  • Developed the world's first digital twin solution streaming from NVIDIA's GDN network
  • Customers in Spain, Italy, Greece and the US from manufacturing, utilities and smart buildings
  • A SaaS company focused on delivering digital twins combined with real time data, streamed from NVIDIA's graphics cloud. UrsaLeo has also implemented generative AI to allow querying of all attached data sources through a simple chatbot.

President

Macnica Americas
San Francisco Bay Area
10.2011 - 02.2017
  • Company Overview: A semiconductor distribution company that also developed hardware solutions for the broadcast video industry.
  • Served as President after driving the Macnica purchase of Octera Solutions
  • Continued to grow the business to $55M revenue
  • Approached and signed franchise agreements with new suppliers such as Intel, Broadcom and Silicon Labs
  • Established a product development team in San Diego
  • Identified an emerging market and developed a product for Broadcast Video
  • Interfaced regularly with corporate management in Japan, making 3-4 trips to Yokohama each year
  • A semiconductor distribution company that also developed hardware solutions for the broadcast video industry.

Founder/ President

Octera Solutions Inc.
San Diego, US
09.2008 - 09.2011
  • Company Overview: Semiconductor distributor spun out of Octera Inc.
  • Raised $1.5M from private investors
  • Signed franchise agreements with tier one semiconductor companies such as Altera, and Linear Technology
  • Increased revenue from $0 to $15M over 3 years
  • Negotiated sale of the business to Macnica Corporation of Yokohama, Japan
  • Semiconductor distributor spun out of Octera Inc.

Founder/VP Marketing

Octera Inc.
San Diego, US
09.2006 - 09.2008
  • Company Overview: Design services company with an emphasis on hardware for major OEMs.
  • Raised $800K from high-net-worth individuals
  • Sold services to Cisco, HP, GE and others
  • Signed partnership contracts with Altera and Broadcom
  • Design services company with an emphasis on hardware for major OEMs.

Marketing Director

Memec Design
San Diego, UK
01.2001 - 09.2005
  • Company overview: Pan-European distributor of high-tech semiconductors.
  • Managed a team of over 30 staff across Europe.
  • Responsible for the marketing strategy across all European companies in the Memec group.
  • Identified and signed innovative, new suppliers from the semiconductor world.
  • Ran a pan-European design services team.

Managing Director

Curragh Technology
, Ireland
01.1995 - 01.2000
  • Company Overview: Ireland-based semiconductor startup.
  • Founded the company and grew it to $25M+ sales in 5 years

Sales/General Manager

Magna Technology
, UK
04.1990 - 02.1995
  • Company description: UK-based semiconductor sales organization.
  • Joined as the sales rep responsible for the Southern UK, and then promoted to general manager.

Education

Summer school - Business and Marketing

Stanford Business School
Palo Alto, CA
08.1999

BSC - Electronic Engineering and Computer Science

University of Birmingham
UK
01.1986

Skills

  • Digital twin technology
  • Generative AI implementation
  • SaaS business models
  • Semiconductor market strategy
  • Strategic planning
  • Fundraising
  • Investor relations

Accomplishments

  • Presented at NVIDIA's GTC Event, 03/2024, Presented at NVIDIA's GTC event on the topic of digital twins and smart buildings using NVIDIA technology.
  • Successful Fundraising, 10/2017, Raised over $7 million pre-seed and seed from private and institutional investors at UrsaLeo, Octera Solutions and Octera.
  • Revenue Growth Success, 02/2016, Grew Macnica Americas revenue to $55 million in fiscal year 2015, exceeding targets by 25%.

Hobbies and Interests

Classical Guitar, US / UK / Paraguay, 1993 - 2025, I have studied classical guitar since my early twenties, including a six-week intensive one-on-one with Renato Belluci, a maestro based in Asunción, Paraguay. I play a range of styles from Baroque (Bach) through romantic and modern film scores.

Languages

  • German, Intermediate
  • French, Intermediate

Languages

French
Limited
German
Professional

Affiliations

  • I have studied classical guitar for 35 years, including a multi-week trip to Paraguay to study with a concert guitarist
  • I practice yoga 2-3 times a week
  • I read extensively both fiction, history and business books

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

CEO and Co-Founder

UrsaLeo
04.2017 - Current

President

Macnica Americas
10.2011 - 02.2017

Founder/ President

Octera Solutions Inc.
09.2008 - 09.2011

Founder/VP Marketing

Octera Inc.
09.2006 - 09.2008

Marketing Director

Memec Design
01.2001 - 09.2005

Managing Director

Curragh Technology
01.1995 - 01.2000

Sales/General Manager

Magna Technology
04.1990 - 02.1995

Summer school - Business and Marketing

Stanford Business School

BSC - Electronic Engineering and Computer Science

University of Birmingham

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