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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.

ZeroFOX

ZeroFOX- James C. Foster and Evan Blair’s security platform to make the world safe in this digital era

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Digitalization made life easier, isn’t it? Yes, of course! Many things are possible virtually with the help of digital mediums. It is useful for both common people and organizations to easier tasks. In this coronavirus pandemic, we actually witness the effectiveness of digitalization. From the conferences to the important meetings, everything is running uninterruptedly due to the digital medium and Information technology.  You’ll find no organization that runs the tasks without IT service. No matter how small the organization is, it will at least us computers to save its data.

Unfortunately, all good comes with some flaws like phishing, piracy, online scams, malware, viruses, etc. If any individual or organization gets caught into the web of cybercrimes, face a huge loss. Either personally or professionally.

However, there are few cybersecurity firms like ZeroFox that are helping organizations to secure their online data from cyberbullies. It is set up in 2013 by Evan L. Blair, and James C. Foster in order to save individuals and organizations from phishing, spams, and all kind of cyberattacks. The prime purpose of the expert team of ZeroFOX is to make the world safe. Both for people and organizations in this digital era. 

About the Company

A Cybersecurity firm ZeroFOX is located in Baltimore, Maryland. It enabled a cloud-based SaaS for small to large size organizations. With ZeroFOX’s platform, it is easy to detect the risk of cybercrimes.

To improve the service and reach, ZeroFOX raised about 100M dollar funding from top investors. Including, NEA, Silver Lake Waterman, Highland Capital, Redline Capital, etc. Moreover, the firm has been known for its excellent service. For that, it awarded several top awards. Like the SINET16 Champion, Red Herring North America Top 100, and Dark Reading’s Top Security Startups to Watch. As well, ZeroFOX honored with Tech Council of Maryland’s Technology Company of the Year. Also, it bags the Security Tech Trailblazer of the Year award.

The backstory of foundation

In 2013, the journey of ZeroFOX get started under the name Riskive. Later on, it renamed ZeroFOX. Initially, the workspace is limited to the area of 8000 square feet only. At the time the firm is founded, there were very few firms in a similar field. As well, the rising cybercrimes were a hot potato. Because of the unique idea to tackle the problem of cybersecurity, the firm started attracting investors.

Soon in 2015, it raised Series B funding and outgrown the workplace.  Furthermore, the firm successfully raised 40 million dollar funding through Redline Capital Management. In 2017, it shifted its focus toward pre-IPO companies.

The masterminds behind ZeroFOX

James C. Foster

He is the present CEO at ZeroFOX. Under his policies, ZeroFOX successfully acquired the top investors on the earth, raising about 100 million dollars funding. As well, he is one of the board of directors of the firm.

ZeroFOX
Image Source: alchetron.com

Education and career

He completed the early study from the University of Maryland in Software Engineering. Thereafter, he attended Capitol Technology University to study Science Software Engineering. As well, James attended Wharton School International Business.

Earlier, he founded a top-level cybersecurity firm Ciphent. Also, he served as the CEO of Ciphent for a long time. Apart from that, he also served as an Advisory Board Chairman & Senior Vice President at Accuvant, Inc. While at Accuvant, Foster helped led the company through rapid growth where the company more than doubled in size under two years.

Evan Blair

He is one of the founding members of ZeroFOX. Presently, he is the Global Vice president, handling channel sales at ZeroFOX.

Evan is presently responsible for driving the corporate vision at ZeroFOX. As well, helping to build a partner-centric go-to-market strategy. To explore the business, customers play an integral role. However, Evan is contributing to the retention of customers understanding their security challenges. Also, he guides in solving security challenges and risks that digital business engagement presents to the modern business.

Education and other work

He studied International Economics at Cambridge University and holds a BA in Economics from Wake Forest University. Apart from that, Evan is a keynote speaker and startup advisor. Evan has presented at several conferences. Such as the RSA Conference, Digital Copenhagen, McAfee FOCUS, SINET, etc. As well, he has been featured by the New York Times and The Atlantic. Forbes and other major publications also honored him.

In fact, he was an integral part of the Leadership Team of Solution Practice at Accuvant. Furthermore, he also served at Ciphent.

Bottom Line

ZeroFOX is the ultimate platform to protect individuals and firms from cyber threats. With its vision to made digital platform risk free, ZeroFOX enhancing its platform day by day.

Upserve

Upserve – Angus Davis’ business venture to start restaurants management platform

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Not today, but since historical background restaurants or hotels have been playing a crucial role in human life. Whether it is a personal celebration or business program, we preferred restaurants to celebrate our joy. Due to all these reasons and needs, restaurants become an important part of our lives. However, every individual demands the best service from the restaurants.

In this era, only such restaurants that meet the superior expectations of customers can grow their business. To help the restaurants to manage everything, Upserve has been working since 2009. It is the restaurant management platform that enabled the smooth and fast management of the entire business.

About Upserve

As said earlier, Upserve is a perfect platform for the management of restaurants. For that, it builds a restaurant-specific point of sale (POS) software along with several other tools. Like online ordering, marketing, and loyalty tools. Also, it offers the tools helpful in increasing guest retention as well as manage costs in real-time. Thus, enabling superior service management of restaurants that results in customer satisfaction. Yet, increasing the profits of the business.

The backstory of foundation

In 2009, A. Davis set up Swipely. Later on, it renames as Upserve. Initially, it was the basic social network platform allowing the members to shared their purchases. However, it jumped into a loyalty platform for local merchandise. This initiative, offered some rewards to repeated customers, increasing customer retention. Later on, the firm captured Breadcrumb POS  from Groupon and marked the new beginning with a new name Upserve.

Exploring the business

Upserve became a partner with Grubhub and started offering integrated online ordering. Also, it soon started own ordering solution. Thereafter, Upserve made a deal with Pesry and enabled first POS integration to streamline reservations and table management platform. To enhance the service, it also launches Upserve Marketplace.

Person behinds Upserve success

Founder- Angus Davis

A person behind the formation of Swipely, today is known as Upserve is a serial entrepreneur and businessman. Angus is also known for his business venture  Tellme. It was the mobile search startup that raised good money in sales.

Angus Davis
Twitter.com

Early career

During his young age, he helped start a small New England ISP in 1995. Later on, he moved to California to become Netscape’s youngest employee. In 2009, he founded Upserve and also served as CEO. However, the firm later on acquired by Vista Equity Partners in 2017. He Joined Foundation Capital as the firm’s first partner on the East Coast in September 2019.

Other works

Apart from that, he has served on the state board of education. There he helped establish Teach for America’s Rhode Island corps. As well, assist to open some of the state’s highest-performing public charter schools.

Sheryl Hoskins- Upserve’s CEO

She is present CEO serving at the post since 2018. Before that, Sheryl served as Chief Revenue & Product Officer at ACTIVE Network. Also, she worked at Global Payment Inc., McKesson, and GE Healthcare IT. Coming to Hoskins’ Education, she attended Quinlan School of Business, Loyola University Chicago, for Master of Business Administration. Further, she attended Illinois Institute of Technology to study B.S. Electrical Engineering.

Sheryl Hoskins
Image Source: Softwarebusinessgrowth.com

Awards and recognition of Upserve

Upserve had set the name in the list of top 100 America’s Most Promising Companies in 2013. It was decided by Forbes magazine. As well, Forbes magazine included the name of the founder and former CEO of firm Angus Davis in the list of America’s Most Promising CEOs Under 35. The excellence of the restaurant management platform Upserve also noticed in the New York Times. Moreover, CBS This Morning and Wall Street Journal also included its name in their list.

Bottom Line

Developing the best platform for the management of restaurants, Upserve helps restaurants improved the business. Starting from optimizing menus and staff performance to boosting profits; everything is possible with Upserve. As well, it enabled the market-leading cloud restaurant POS, and user-friendly processing, and ordering on its platform. Apart from that, it enabled mobile restaurant organization. Yet, it allowed hotel owners to integrate with leading third-party restaurant apps through its Marketplace. Today, more than 10,000 restaurants/hotels utilize Upserve and rise their business.

A local start-up changed the history of restaurant management is a very little time span. No doubt, it’s an all-in-one solution to successfully run hotels.

Faire

Faire – the wholesale online platform that also helping emerging brands under policies of Max Rhodes

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There are several online platforms available for shopping for various types of items. Customers can buy products directly from the supplier. In the early rise of the E-commerce platform, almost all companies focused on designing the user eccentric platform. But the retailers get neglected and lost the track of their business. As well, most of the online purchasing sites give priority to well-established brands. This leads to the loss of local businesses. However, there are few platforms that are solely dedicated to retailers as well, support local products. Faire is one such platform that helps dozens of local products and emerging brands.

In fact, it’s a wholesale online marketplace, connecting local retailers to new and popular brands. It exploring its business as well, promoting the business of several small to medium firms. Surely, Faire is the best platform for both retailers and businesses.

Faire- The rising online wholesale marketplace

It is set up in 2016 by Max Rhodes on the belief that the future is local. The purpose to build such a platform was to connect local retailers to new and popular brands.

Fair supports a rising Shop Local community as well, assisting retailers who work independently. Currently, the firm is located in San Francisco. Also, it’s other offices are in Salt Lake City and Kitchener-Waterloo. However, it acquired top investors such as Khosla Ventures, Forerunner Ventures, DST Global, Lightspeed Venture, etc.

About its service

On the Faire’s online platform, retailers can easily find all kinds of products at one click. Starting from the home essentials to clothing to the makeup products. All variety of products of various brands are available on Faire. Moreover, the product prices are affordable and quality is best. That’s why many retailers prefer Faire and use it as a trusted wholesale online platform.

As well, it offers free returns and free refunds on shopping. Faire explores its business by exploring the reach of small brands. In fact, it made retailing simple and feasible.

Exploring the business

As of now, Faire successfully acquired the trust of 60k plus local retailers and more than a thousand brands. The number of retailers ordering from Flair is more than 18K. Also, more than 3k rising brands get popularity through this platform. Since it’s the establishment, the firm raised more than 115 millions dollar.

The mastermind behind Faire- Max Rhodes

Any firm can deliver the best service when it’s policies and values are best. Faire is the best example of this. Max Rhodes who is also the founding member of the firm decides the policies of Faire. He has experience in product management and leads many projects in his career. Presently, he is serving as CEO of the company. Under his guidance, the firm raised more than 115 million dollars and exploring the business impeccably.

Image Source: alejandrocremades.com

Education and Career

Max graduated from Yale University in history. However, he worked in a completely different field. During his early career, he worked as an advisor of Blunt Umbrellas North America. Since 2010, he worked more than 9 years there. Thereafter he led product strategy and development for the Caviar website. As well, he was involved during the launch of its first iOS as well as Android app. Apart from that, Max served as a product manager at Square Cash.

Being a product manager, he led product strategy and development from Cash’s private beta through to the launch of Square Cash 2.0 with over 1M monthly active users. Moreover, he served as Associate Consultant at Bain and Company. The overall career of Max is spent in product management which turned out useful for his business venture Faire.

Bottom Line

The firm based on a vision to connect local retailers to branded products is successfully achieving it. Also, it empowered many independent retailers. As well, it assists lots of makers to build their brands. No doubt, Faire enabled the simplest online platform for wholesale business.

Faire is promoting the Shop Local movement with its online wholesale platform. In end, it helping to build local economies which are most important for the overall economy of any country. Also, the Faire platform gave the best opportunity for small businesses to become brands in the local market. As Faire grows it increases the reach of emerging brands.

Argo AI

Argo AI- Bryan Salesky and Peter Rander’s dream company that enabled the self-driving technology platform

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Technology is evolving day by day and mapping each and every sector. Self-driving technology is one such evolution that changed the way we live and get around. This technology can be game-changing if we use its potential. However, Argo AI is powering the self-driving technology with its unique platform.

Today, it is one of such leading platforms. That is supporting self-driving technology-based local transportation needs all across the world. So that anyone can get around cities easily and safely. This is just beginning if the firm harness the potential of self-driving technology then the future will be different.

About Argo AI

It is working in this field to support the evolution of self-driving technology. For that, it builds hardware, software as well as cloud support infrastructure on its platform.

To achieve this vision, Argo AI has been building the network with top automakers. So that the Argo AI’s technology can be integrated into vehicles. Thus, enabling such a ride that does not require a human driver. Obviously, this technology is so efficient for the person who is unable to drive. As well, the technology will be a benefit for the person having a driving phobia and handicapped persons.

Presently, the firm is testing its designs in six cities. However, it aims to bring it in the market with full safety and reliability.

How it is unique?

First of all, the idea to enable the platform for self-driving technology is unique. Then the team it had is experts in robotics and AI, doing the best to achieve the vision of the firm.

Apart from that, it is developing technology that will suit all kinds of environments. As well, Argo AI considers the road infrastructure, foot traffic, driving habits, and rule and regulations while integrating the technology into vehicles. It aims to enable transportation in a coordinated fashion. So that the traffic problem of the city will minimize.

About Founders

Bryan Salesky

He is the present CEO of Argo AI, helped in building the base of the firm. Coming to his education, he attended the University of Pittsburgh to study computer engineering.

Bryan dedicated his early career to studying robotics and AI. In fact, he is very passionate about integrating the products with AI and robotics. So that these devices will enhance human life.

Career

He served at the National Robotics Engineering Center of Carnegie Mellon University. There he managed a portfolio of the largest commercial program of NREC. As well, he was involved in the portfolio management of autonomous mining trucks, Caterpillar.

Furthermore, he was the leader of the Tartan Racing software engineering team in 2007. Bryan was also an integral part of the self-driving car program of Google. During this time, he develops a hardware portfolio like self-driving sensors.

Peter Rander

He is one of the co-founding members of Argo AI. Presently, he is serving as president of the firm. However, he is one of the top leaders in the development of autonomy enabled system. Before founding Argo AI, he worked at several leading organizations in the field of AI and robotics. Peter always wanted to work in robotics technology. So that he could help to contribute to a changing world with robotics.

Education and Career

He attended Carnegie Mellon University to study electrical and computer engineering. As well, he holds a Masters’s degree and Ph. D from the same university. Also, Peter graduated in electrical engineering from the University of Detroit-Mercy. After his education, he was part of the research team at the National Robotics Engineering Center of Carnegie Mellon University.

Peter worked as an integral part of the self-driving car project of Uber. Moreover, he has experience in the human-centric robotics interface.

Bottom Line

Argo AI  is the output of dedication and excellence of founders and the team. With self-driving technology, Argo AI aims to make the road safer and travel enjoyable to all. For this, it steadily collaborating with numerous automakers, technical teams, as well as governments.

Currently, it running the projects on a trial basis. So that it can determine the safety and effectiveness of the technology. Because safety comes first is the core value of Argo AI. It is constantly focusing on increasing road safety, making human life better using technology.

Nuro

Nuro- Jiajun Zhu and Dave Ferguson’s business venture to make human life better using robotics

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California based Robotics firm Nuro shows the positive side of technology to the world. In fact, this firm made common people use robots in their daily life. The firm is based on the belief that technology is for everyone and it should benefit everyone. As well, Nuro is working to make human life better by using each and every part of robotics. Two young entrepreneurs Dave and J. Zhu set the firm in 2016 with this vision.

Both of them are experts in Machine learning and Robotics and working in this field since the beginning of their careers. In order to harness the power of robotics and to integrate it with AI, Nuro works on an international level. However, the firm also fighting for black Americans right to equality and actively achieving its corporate social responsibility.

About Nuro

Nuro is well recognized for its self-driving vehicles used for local goods transportation. The firm developed these vehicles considering all the needs and different aspects of the user. Such that it can be affordable, safer, and advance in functionality. As well, it comes with a fully automatic mode.

Also, several other products of the firm designed with keeping in mind that it should easier the human’s daily life. Behind such a great idea, of course, the founders are important. However, they have a team of experts from research as well as industrial background. Nuro’s team is the winner of competition like DARPA Robotics Challenge, ImageNet, etc.

Founders in Limelight

The masterminds behind Nuro dedicated their career and invest the time in the development of Nuro. Jiajun Zhu and Dave Ferguson both are young entrepreneurs who proved the ability of the young generation in the robotics field. They are truly an example for many newbies who dream to achieve such success in an early career.

Jiajun Zhu- Co-founder and CEO

He successfully established the Nuro along with partner Dave. As well, he guides to decide the policies and strategies for exploring the service. Nuro has raised a total of 92 million dollars from Greylock Partners as well as Gaorong Capital. Earlier, he played an important role as a software engineer in the self-driving car project of Google.

Zhu contributed his time to solving the high level and challenging problems at the forefront of machine learning, computer vision, robotics, and reliability. From the time he entered in this field, he is curious to know every aspect of Robotics. Jiahun decided to do something to easier the daily life of Humans using his experience and set up Nuro.

Dave Ferguson

He has a great contribution to enable robotics for everyday life. In 2016, Dave and his partner’s idea turned out great. Yet, simplified our lives with the use of robotics and technology. Like Jiajun, he also associated with the self-driving car project of IT Giant firm Google. Dave assists to solve the challenging and exciting problems at the forefront of machine learning, computer vision, robotics, and reliability.

As well, he was the senior research scientist at Intel Research. His main area of research was robotics and machine learning which leads to the foundation of Nuro. Since then he decided to do more advancement in this field. However, this dream of Ferguson got the direction when he met Zhu.

Education

He attended the University of Otago to study BSC computers in mathematics.  As well, Dave went to Carnegie Mellon University for a Ph.D. in robotics and computer science.

What else Nuro Do?

As said earlier, Nuro is working for the betterment of human life through technology and innovation. Apart from that, the firm is also seriously involved in the betterment of society. How so? Nuro doing this by supporting the cause that deals with providing equality to black Americans. All over the world this issue is big and to help in overcome this, Nuro arranging some donations.

In order to fight for Black Americans’ equality rights, Nuro collected over 500 dollars/team members. It aims to raise more funds.

Bottom line

The firm established in 2016, worked impeccably and achieving its vision with immense efforts. Recently in 2019, the firm raised 940 Million dollars. As well, it is working to expand its business in new areas. Nuro is also taking one step further to grow its team and building the network. So that it’s a vision to make human life better using robotics can be achieved.

Audi Logo

August Horch- The German automobile pioneer behind the strong foundation of Audi

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Presently, Audi is the name counted in some of the oldest automobile firms in Germany. The logo showing four rings shows the integration of four car firms. These all firms set up the foundation of today’s Audi. However, to set up the Audi one personality is most important that is August Horch. He built the first car and started the revolutionary era of the car industry in Germany. As well, he is the most important person behind exploring the business globally. Today, Audi is a big name in the car industry.  Surely, August Horch made it possible with his immense efforts and extraordinary vision.

About Founder

Audi is one of the popular names in the vehicle industry. One will amaze to know that it set up by a blacksmith. Yes, the founder of Audi, A. Horch’s first trade was as a blacksmith. Thereafter, he studied engineering and set up a revolutionary Automobile firm Audi. He is one of the well-reputed German engineers and pioneers in this industry.

August Horch
Image Source: motor1.com

His contribution to this field is noticeable and inspirational for many entrepreneurs. Due to his work, his native place Winningen has a street named for his Audi cars. Let’s see the life journey of A. Horch.

Early life

He was born on 12 Oct 1868 in Winningen, Prussia. Horch attended Mittweida Technical College for studying engineering. Before that, he was in the business of Blacksmith. After completing the education, he started working in the shipbuilding sector. However, he got the chance to learn about automobiles during his job at Karl Benz. August worked there for about three years and learned all skills required to build any car. In 1899, he set up the firm A. Horch & Co. In Germany. So that he can design the cars as per his ideas.

Building the base of the firm

In 1901, August built the first Horch Automobile firm. After that, he shifted the firm in Reichenbach and later on to Zwickau. But in 1909 he had to leave the firm due to some disputes and clashes among partners. However, he decided to start a new firm to compete in Zwickau’s car market.

He wanted to set the second firm’s name as Horch. But he had already used this name for his first one. Thus, due to the trademark issue, he selected Hark. Later on, it became Audi.

Role of A. Horch to make Audi as an international brand

He not only build the foundation of the firm but also worked to explore its business. August’s extraordinary policies and the visionary helped to popularize it in the global market. During those days, he was involved in the Austrian Alpine Runs(AAR). This network helped the firm to rise as an international brand.

Later life

In 1920, August withdrew from the firm and went to Berlin. Since then he decided to work as an automotive expert and to helped the rising car firms. Unknowingly he inspired so many entrepreneurs with his autobiography, I built Cars.

As well, he worked as one of the board members of the Auto Union. Horch was also the Braunschweig University of Technology’s professor in his last days. A. Horch rests in peace on 3rd February 1951.

The up-downs in the business of Audi

Not all businesses grow steadily. Most of them faced several up-downs throughout the evolution of the firm. The same happened in the case of Audi. After August withdrew from the business everything was ok for some time.

However,  the company’s market declined rapidly which remained about 0.1% till 1938. In fact, the name of Audi completely disappeared for more than two decades. Fortunately, the firm again managed to come back to the market and overcome the obstacles.

Later success of the firm

In the long history of Audi, it gave birth to many unique designs, best performances, and unique features. The firm witnessed all technology evolutions.

As well, it successfully adapted all the changes and design the new models as per the demand of the era. Yet, it never compromised the quality. Audi is based on the strong foundation and core values, which helped it to rise impeccably. Today, Audi is a big name in the car industry.  No doubt,  Horch made it possible with his efforts and extraordinary vision.