Your Tech Story

Jayshri

Jayshri is an Electronics Engineer, but her passion towards writing made her to be in this field. Apart from content writing, she loves reading, writing and surfing on various topics. In her free time, she likes to watch TV series and news. Sherlock Holmes is her all time favorite show. Jayshri loves cooking various Indian-western dishes.

Comodo

Melih Abdulhayoglu- Turkish American entrepreneur who set up Comodo Group for internet security

The USA based Cybersecurity firm known as Comodo Group is best known for protecting the network worldwide. It acquired the trust of clients and the personal user with enabling the ultimate platform for cybersecurity. As well, it enabled the single platform for endpoint security, network security, and managed detection and response. All credit goes to the person behind the establishment of Comodo. Mr. Melih Abdulhayoglu set up the firm in 1998. Obviously, it took years to establish the name of the Comodo Group in the market. But now it’s a well-known platform to secure network that uses a different approach to prevent breaches. Today, well-established organizations such as Samsung, eWinery Solutions, Scheurich, and many more trust Comodo to prevent breaches.

Melih Abdulhayoglu
Image source: Wikipedia

About Founder and CEO of Comodo Group

Melih Abdulhayoglu is a well-known entrepreneur in America, hailed from Turkey. The business venture of Melih known as Comodo Group has dealt with internet security. As well, he is known for establishing the CA/Browser Forum. This forum focuses on promoting new industry standards. Moreover, he has been honored as the 12th richest Turkey’s personality in the list of Forbes 100 richest Turks.  

Under the guidance of Melih, the firm has proved the presence and trust in the international market. However, he managed to use this success to build many other complementary businesses. Here is the life journey of Melih to marked the name in riches person in Turkey.

Early life

He is born on 10 March 1968 in Hatay in Turkey. Melih completed his high school studies at Hatay. To complete higher education he left Turkey at the age of 18. Thereafter, he shifted to the UK and attended the University of Bradford. Electronics Engineering was the subject of his graduation.

Career and Businesses

In 1998, just after completing the graduation, he set up the Comodo Group in the UK. However, he moved to the USA in 2004. Therefore, he shifted the business in the USA during the same year. Apart from that, he promotes new standards for industry throughout his career. For that, he organized the forum called CA/Browser in 2005. As well, he was the organizer of the Common Computing Security Standard Forum during 2009. That time, he worked to solve the problem associated with Faux Antivirus software.

Recently in 2017, Melih handover the 50% shares of the Comodo group to Fransico Partners. Also, Comodo Group is renamed as Sectigo. Presently, he is the CEO of Comodo Group.

The Backstory of foundation

After graduating in Electronic engineering, Melih decided to work for protecting the network. That time internet has just arrived. The popularity of the internet boomed as well as it introduced the cybercrime. During this time, many firms jumped into the field of Cyber Security. But very few can stand out and provided the platform for network security. Comodo Group is one of those firms, established in 1998. Today, it uses a different approach to protect the network and become popular all across the world.

About Comodo Group

The firm is focusing on internet security and related issues since its foundation. Basically, it is an organization that issues digital security certificates and develops IT security products. Comodo provides service and products for both personal and professional use.  Most of the people are unaware of other work done by the Comodo Group. Like it assisted in setting security standards by working to contribute IETF DNS Certification.

Main Companies of Comodo Group

Comodo CA Limited is an integrated part of the Comodo Group. It is known for issuing digital certificates such as SSL. In 2017, Melih sell 50% of the shares of this unit to Fransico Partners. Presently, this firm has been rebranded as Sectigo. However, it is based in Greater Manchester, United Kingdom.

Another integral part of the Comodo Group is Comodo Security Solution. This unit of Comodo Group deals with the development of security software. Both for personal users and industrial clients.

Other Products of Comodo Group

Comodo develops products such as Comodo System Utilities, Comodo Internet Security, Mobile Security. As well, it built the web browsers like Comodo ice Dragon and Comodo Dragon.

Bottom Line

Comodo Group is the perfect example of business exploration with standing out in the market. Since 1998 it is unstoppable and adapted the changes as per new security problems. The business also went through lots of up-down. But now it is one of the dominant IT security firms all over the world.

Cox

Cox communications- Journey to become third-largest digital cable TV provider in the USA

Today, there are lots of entertainment mediums as well as devices are available. Some of the devices can be kept in a pocket. But still, television is the most loved entertainment medium among people all over the world. However, in the field of cable television service, Cox Communications is one of the popular names in the American market. As well, it is a leading cable television provider in the US ranked third in this field.

It is not only known for television service but also provides home automation and telecommunications services. Presently, it has acquired 6 million-plus customers.  Includes digital TV cable subscribers, telephone subscribers as well as internet subscribers. With such a huge number of subscribers, Cox Communications made it possible to become the seventh-largest telephone carrier in the USA. Let’s see how Cox Communications achieve success and become the third-largest cable television provider in America.

About Cox Communications

It is headquartered in Sandy Springs in Georgia, America. Basically, located in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The firm is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises owned privately. Earlier, it was known as Cox Broadcasting Corp. Later on, it renamed as Dimension Cable Services. As well, it becomes Times mirror Cable before changing the name as Cox Communications. Apparently, the firm has gone through lots of evolution.

Presently, it offers the service in the field of digital cable television, telecom network as well as in Home Automation.

The backstory of foundation

As said earlier, Cox communications is one of the integral parts of Cox Enterprises started in mid of the 20th century. However, In 1962  the firm decided to jump into the cable television industry. That time it was public company later on acquired by Cox Enterprise in 1985. In order to explore the services, it acquired several cable systems in the USA. That’s how the birth of Cox Communications take place. Prior to the name Cox Communications, it was known as Cox Broadcasting till 1982.

Early Business

The firm started it’s business targeting the businesses that needed the telecom services. In fact, Cox Communications was the first multiple s/m cable operator that offered such services to the businesses. After that, it grew impeccably as a Cox business. Now it’s generating revenue of more than 1 billion dollars annually.

First multiple system cable operator

After the approval of the telecom act, Cox Communications stared offering phone services to its clients. It was during 1996-97. Thereafter, the firm acquired cable TV assets of several firms including Media General, Fredericksburg, etc. As well, it purchased Multimedia Cablevision.

Alternative Energy Project

The firm is known for doing various businesses. In 2011, it has completed the project of Alternative Energy. It was the step to minimize the use of electricity from the local power grid and to decrease the carbon footprint of the company. For that, the firm has installed two fuel cell at headquarters. So that the onsite power generation can be used to fulfill the electricity need of the firm.

Other products and services

The firm has gone through a loss of evolutions. Recently it started Cox home security that uses advanced technology. So, the clients can completely rely on the Cox Communications home security product for the ultimate security of home.

As well, it launched a platform called Contour in 2013. It is a television platform. Moreover, to support the integration of video streaming apps, it licensed Comcast’s Xfinity X1 platform in 2015. Awards and Recognition

For the diversity in business, DiversityInc Magazine named it at 25th place in the list of 50. As well, Cox Communications was in the sixth position on the same list in 2008. In the same year, it was the 8th firm for African Americans.

Cox Communications has offered many types of services in the field of telecommunications. It added one more service in the list, i.e., wireless communications in 2010. Presently, it is offering wireless services in Virginia, Nebraska, Orange City, California, etc…

Bottom Line

The firm has achieved huge respect in the American telecom market. However, it has been involved in a few disputes with Lin TV, Fox  News, Nexstar, etc.

Apart from that, the firm knows it’s CSR very well. It has the own charity helps to nonprofit serving youth. As well, focuses on well being of science and technology communications.

Convoy

Convoy- Journey to transform the World with maximum capacity and minimal waste

There are a few businesses that are unknown to common people. But those business plays an important role to make our life easier. Either directly or indirectly, as Convoy does. To form the connection between shippers and carriers Convoy plays an important role. It is set up in 2015 to build the technology that minimizes the waste in the Freight industry. Presently, it acquired the top investors including T. Rowe Price associates and Generation Investment Management. As well,  Y Combinator, Lone Pine Capital, Capital G, and Bezos Expeditions believe Convoy and dream to build a more sustainable future with the help of Convoy. The duo of Dan and Goodale are masterminds behind Convoy’s success.

About Convoy

As said earlier, Convoy is established in 2015. However, just in two years, it raised the Series B funding of 62 million dollars. Also, grabbed the chance to get Continuity Fund from Y combinator. The founders of big firms like Amazon, Starbucks, Hadi, and several other firms have invested in Convoy. Moreover, the founders of Instagram, eBay, and Dropbox also interested to invest in Convoy.

It raised 180+ million dollars investment from CapitalG in 2018. Furthermore, Convoy attracted an investment of 400 million dollars from Generation investment Management in 2019. With this, it valued 2.75 billion dollars firm in the world.

The Backstory of foundation

Convoy’s journey gets started in early 2015. Grant and Dan both were the researchers in the supply chain. That time, they both were at Amazon. However, the actual journey to start Convoy began when Dan visited warehouses and truck stops. They came to know about the fears, uncertainty, and the frustration of truckers.  Researching for two to three months, they set up the firm as a local star up. With this, the service in Washington State gets started. Convoy is solely dedicated to transporting the world with zero waste and maximum capacity.

To bring the positive change and improvise deliver efficiencies and to change truckers’ lives they come up with the idea and set up Convoy. In just two years, it acquired the trust of top investors in the market. In fact, the CEOs of big firms believed Convoy to change the future of the Freight industry. Presently, it is one of the leading firms that transform the world with maximum capacity and minimal waste.

Glimpse to Founders life

The business is the product of the idea and dedication of founders. As well, they invest time to explore the business and work for the betterment of society. No doubt, any businessman set up the firm to gain the profit. But we cannot neglect their agenda to serve society. With an innovative approach, they work to simplify human life. Like Dan and Grant does with their business venture Convoy. Let’s see the journey of Dan and Grant to set up Convoy.

Dan Lewis-Chief Executive Officer

He is the present CEO at Convoy. Prior to that, he worked as a General Manager at Amazon. Also, he served as Vice president of product at Wavvi. Dan has experience as Microsoft’s group product manager. However, he started his career in the supply chain for Oliver Wyman. Coming to his education, Dan attended Yale University to study cognitive science. The contribution of Dan is considerable to change the ways of truck deliveries.

Grant Goodale- CTO

He is the present CTO at Convoy. Before that, he worked at Amazon. Apart from establishing Convoy, Grant set up Massively Fun. As well, he was the CEO of that gaming studio. Coming to his education, he has a computer science degree. For that, he attended Cornell University. Also, Grant went to the University of Southern California. Along with Dan, he is working to explore the business of Convoy. Furthermore, assisting the truckers for smooth and faster deliveries.

Bottom line

Presently, the firm effectively solving the unsolvable problems of the trucking industry. As well, helped to minimize the waste and inefficiency in this industry. The firm is based on a vision to easier the tasks of shippers, truckers, and all other tasks of the trucking industry. With the top professionals, Convoy in fact achieves its vision in a very short period.

Today, the firm successfully optimize dozens of truckloads that move around the country every day. Convoy solved the toughest problems of truckers and shippers. For its excellent work, it awarded as GeekWire’s Startup of the Year in 2017.

Kabbage

Kabbage – Rob Frohwein, M. Gorlin, and Kathryn Petralia’s online financial tech platform, assisting small businesses to grow

When it comes to measuring the development of any country, small businesses are as important as a well-established franchise. However, small enterprises face lots of problems while establishing the name in the industry. The basic need to explore the service is funding, which is not easily available for small-size enterprises. To help them, Kabbage Inc is working since it’s the establishment. In fact, Kabbage. Today, it provides cash to small firms more quickly than a bank can cash a check. R. Frohwein, M. Gorlin, and K. Petralia set up the firm in 2012. During this time, Kabbage successfully raised series c funding of 30 million dollars. That helped to explore the business of Kabbage. As well, it marked the name in the list of Red Herring’s Top 100 North American private firms.

About Kabbage Inc

It is Atlanta based online financial tech firm, supporting a number of small entrepreneurs to grow their firm. For that, it uses an automated lending platform. Kabbage acquired the investment from leading firms like Thomvest Ventures, Reverence Capital Partners, BlueRun Ventures, etc. The firm started it’s service in 2011. However, it has started offering loans to small firms all across the continents since 2012.

As well, it received the funding of 106 million dollars from SoftBank Capital in 2014. With excellent service, Kabbage raised about 1 billion dollars each year and continue the funding to small businesses.

Exploring the business

In 2018, Kabbage acquired the data and analysis provider platform Orchard. So that the small institutions can enjoy the data-driven services of Kabbage. As well, it acquired Radius Intelligence in 2019. With this acquisition, it successfully enabled cash flow solutions.

Awards and recognition

Kabbage set up the name in the Forbes’ list of  Top 100 Most Promising Companies in two consecutive years. As well, it ranked 59th in the list of the best entrepreneurial companies in America. In 2018, it was among the list of Fintech 50. This list is created for recognized Top Small Business Lending Platform. Apart from that, it also enabled a healthy workplace for the employees. For that, it honored as Best Places to Work by Inc.’s annual list.

The persons behind Success of the firm

Rob Frohwein

He is the present CEO of the firm. As well, he helped to establish the company in 2012. Apart from that, he is an author, inventor, and host. Rob also co-hosted the radio show during his early career. Moreover, he has 30 plus patents on his name.

Kathryn Petralia

She is a well-known entrepreneur in America. Kathryn is one of the founding members of Kabbage, presently serving as COO of the firm. Forbes honored her as a 98th most powerful woman in finance, 2017. As well, she awarded as Fintech Woman of the Year. Also, TechCrunch features her in the list of 42 women succeeding in tech.

Early life and career

She was born on 17 August 1970. Kathryn developed an interest in technology from childhood. Which helped her in her business ventures. Coming to her education, she attended Furman University to study English literature.

Petralia started her career in the e-commerce sector.  During the 1990s she launched west coast commerce startup. As well, she helped in the US web program. In 2008, she met Marc Gorlin, and Rob Frohwein, later on, turned out as a partner of Kabbage. Moreover, she also served as a chief operating officer of Kabbage.

Marc Gorlin

He is the serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Kabbage, known for dozen of tech companies. Marc’s father was also the serial entrepreneur, and inspiration for Marc to show him a path. To assist small enterprises, he set up Kabbage along with other partners.

Bottom Line

Small businesses are a must for economic development in any country. But most of the time, small entrepreneurs lack the resources despite being highly capable. Because investors prefer a well-established franchise for investment. So, they can get returns without risk. Thus, small size firms face lots of problems in raising the funding for exploring the business. However, Kabbage is working to sort out the funding problem of small size businesses. Thus, helping the small businesses to flourish all over the world.

darktrace

Darktrace- AI based Cyber Security Platform for advanced enterprise network protection

Artificial intelligence is the future, each and every sector is using it. But one common thing about technology evolution that it comes with infrastructure complexity. The digital infrastructure is getting critical and complex. However, to protect such critical data system and advanced infrastructure, needed the one step ahead AI-based cybersecurity. Cyber AI is much advanced that can learn the technology by itself and can generate the needed security. Just like our immune system. Darktrace was the first firm that enabled such AI-based cybersecurity. Top mathematicians from the University of Cambridge established the firm in 2013. Today, it is much easier to perform probability-based calculations to secure the digital system with Darktrace.

About Darktrace

It is headquartered in San Francisco and Cambridge. As well, having about 44 offices all across the continents. The firm is a pioneer to use AI for cybersecurity. So, cyber defense challenges can be solved in an effective way. It launched the autonomous response technology for the first time. Thus, strengthen the network system of organizations that take action against cyber threats at an early stage. Darktrace is based on the future perspective to secure the IT data in the next generation. This realistic idea helped to acquired top investors. Summit Partners, KKR, Samsung Ventures, Hoxton, TenEleven, Invoke Capital, and several other top ventures have invested in Darktrace.

How does it work?

Darktrace made use of AI to overcome the challenges in cybersecurity. In fact, it results in a fundamental shift in the capability of securing the critical data system.

No doubt, the non-AI security platform offers the best protection against cyber attacks. But these cyber attacks are increasing day by day. As well, the methods, techniques, and the way of cyberbullying is also changing. The simple cybersecurity platform needs human assistance to advanced the program. However, Cyber AI is self-learning technology.  Thus, enabling the more advanced protection against pre-defined threats.

Exploration of the business

In 2013, the top mathematicians set up Darktrace and acquired investment from the leading enterprise. As well, the team of cybersecurity experts experienced in the government intelligence team contributed to enabling AI-based security. It was the time when cyber threats were rising. All the experts of Darktrace used their experience and the emerging technology and transform the cyber defense platform. Soon, the technology proved it’s the power to identify many types of cyber threats at the initial stages. Like insider attacks, cloud-based threats, etc.

Just after three years of its foundation, it launched the autonomous response technology for the first time in the world. This technology strengthens the immune system of enterprises to take action against cyber threats at an early stage. During one of the dangerous wannacry ransomware attacks hit several organizations, Darktrace protected its customer’s network. After that, many firms trusted Darktrace for their network security.

Poppy Gustafsson- Darktrace’s CEO

She is presently serving as the CEO of the firm. Prior to that, she served as COO and CFO at Darktrace. Under her policies, the firm successfully reached a 1.65 billion dollars valuation in just five years. As per The Financial Times, Darktrace becomes Europe’s 9th ‘Fastest Growing European Company. As well, Poppy’s leadership marked the Darktrace name as Fastest Growing Super Scale-up’(Tech Tour).

Early Career and Education

She is a Chartered accountant by profession. Before joining Darktrace, she worked in the technology and venture capital sector as a financial controller. Also, Poppy worked as a Fund Accountant at Amadeus Capital Partners.

Awards and recognitions

Poppy Gustafsson is the recipient of Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Awards 2019. As well, she set her name on Management Today’s list, ’30 Women, under 35′ in 2018.

Later success of the Darktrace

Recently in 2017, Darktrace started a new unit, solely dedicated to fighting against cyber threats in industrial as well as SCADA network. As well, it continues the excellence and focused on building a strong customer base that preferred Darktrace AI. It is working great to secure the national infrastructure with AI-enabled cybersecurity.

To automate the investigation process Darktrace launched a Cyber AI analyst. It also performs argument security analysis. The firm intelligently uses advanced machine learning to the cybersecurity software application. As a result, become a dominant firm that has no significant competitor.

AvePoint

AvePoint- TJ Jiang and Kai Gong’s unique company that enables software solution for infrastructure management

An independent software manufacturing and vendor firm AvePoint has a name in the industry because of its miscellaneous service. It is known for the development and selling of software as well, for software management. In 2013, it marked its name in a list of Deloitte Fast 500 of the fastest-growing companies in the world. Also, it was listed as the fastest-growing company in America in Inc. magazine’s “Inc. 500|5000” list. Presently, AvePoint acquired 13,000 plus enterprise clients worldwide. Today, the firm is successfully serving the industrial, education, healthcare, financial, as well as energy sectors all across the continents.

Tianyi Jiang
Image Source: stern.nyu.edu

About AvePoint

It is a New Jersey-based software development and management platform, set up in 2001. As well, it has several operational centers across the continents. Some of the operational centers are located in the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, China, South Africa, U.K, France, Germany, Switzerland, Singapore, and the Netherlands. The firm is known for software development, selling, and management. So that enterprise collaboration systems work well.

Today, dozens of organization belonging to all kind of fields prefers AvePoint. In fact, it had more than 12000 enterprise customers from financial, legal, cosmetics, mining, health, and many other fields. Even the government and defense of many countries trust AvePoint for software management.

The services offered by AvePoint

AvePoint offers infrastructure and governance development platform with its DocAve software platform. It enabled the optimization, integration, management, and protection for its product SharePoint. In 2012, the newer version with more features was released. As well, to design the governance policies for SharePoint, it launched DocAve Governance Automation in the same year.

Moreover, it also offers a SaaS platform for Microsoft Office 365 along with online backup for MS office 365. Apart from that, it also enabled the platform to minimize the risk of privacy violations. To restrict malicious attacks, data piracy, it designed the AvePoint Compliance Guardian Online platform. Also, it’s governance Automation online s/m offers the best service to business-centric users.

Some other platforms are AvePoint Compliance, DocAve Content Shield, DocAve File Share Navigator, and many more.

Other Services

Apart from being independent software management, the firm has been working in partnership with Microsoft. In fact, it’s a gold-certified partner of Microsoft. AvePoint Works to enhance the compatibility of SharePoint products as per changing needs. As well, it involved equipment manufacturer partnership. Because it focuses on leverage it’s a technology using third-party applications.

Six years ago in 2014, Rackspace and AvePoint announced agreements. With this, the firms will focus on hosting and value-added reselling. Additionally, the content management products of AvePoint will be available for Rackspace’s clients.

Glimpse to Founders life

TJ Jiang

He is the co-founder and present Co-CEO of the firm. TJ attended Cornell University for a bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Electrical and computer engineering. However, he also went to NYU Stern School of Business. Presently, he handles the AvePoint business strategy and development. In 2010, he received Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year award in New Jersey.

Early Career

Before co-founding AvePoint, his career focus was on designing and implementing fix-income trading systems, global equity program trading platforms. As well, he was interested in credit risk modeling and researching Data Mining. Throughout the career journey, he spends much of his time meeting with customers, partners, and industry analysts in order to better understand the customer journey. So that to consult on practical and effective business outcome-based digital transformation.

Kai Gong

He is one of the founding members and present co-Ceo at AvePoint. Before that, he was a senior software engineer at Bell Labs at Lucent Technologies. Prior to that, he also served at Jhonson and Jhonson as a software engineer. Kai Gong attended Southern University to study Computer Science.

Awards and recognition of AvePoint

In a very short duration, the firm proved it’s excellence and get noticed at the international level. It’s DocAve 6 product was recognized as Best of TechEd. As well, the firm was the finalist at Microsoft partner of the year award 2013 in three categories. Those categories were the SharePoint app developer, Content partner, and the public sector partner of the year.

However, it also received the Microsoft partner of the year award in 2014. Moreover, its name among Deloitte Fast 500 of the fastest-growing companies in the world.

Bottom Line

Since it’s the foundation, AvePoint Inc is providing miscellaneous service and software solutions for infrastructure management. It covers enterprise content management, web content management, governance, as well as cloud integration. AvePoint is a trusted provider of many enterprises from many fields. Today, more than 14,000 enterprises and 3 million-plus cloud users trust AvePoint to manage SharePoint as well as Office 365 data.