Stage 1 Ventures

David Mathews is a systems engineer with 70 patents in wireless communications, IoT, and device intelligence who has contributed to multiple award-winning products including a Technology Emmy-winning project at Slingbox and a #1 iTunes App Store application at Tapulous. He founded NewAer, a proximity intelligence platform that won Best Technology at LAUNCH San Francisco, and currently serves in channel development and partnerships at Anuba Technologies. Mathews advises early-stage technical founders and CTOs on product roadmap development, IP strategy, and operational decisions for embedded, edge, and cloud systems.

Jim Walsh is a software technology executive with experience spanning product inception, digital transformation, and GenAI-native development across startups and large-scale organizations. His background includes roles across the full software development lifecycle—from architecture and design through deployment and support—with domain expertise in agriculture, travel, education, healthcare, finance, and other sectors. At GlobalLogic, he architected VelocityAI SDLC, a GenAI-native software development platform that launched in 2024.

John Hartnett—25+ years in tech and agrifood; at Palm helped grow smartphone revenue to $3.5B, founded Forbes AgTech Summit, and works with USDA and the US Secretary on agrifood policy.

John Sheehan is Chief Executive Officer and Board Member at AVX Defense Technologies. He previously held the position of Vice President of Corporate Strategy at Booz Allen Hamilton and led strategy and business development for AWS's Aerospace and Satellite business unit. His earlier experience includes leading strategy and growth initiatives for Lockheed Martin's largest business unit and developing new business ventures within Lockheed Martin's Skunkworks division.

Joseph Pianelli is an Operating Partner at STAGE 1 VENTURES, LLC with over 30 years of experience in strategy, finance, and corporate development across wireless, publishing, digital media, internet, and consumer retail sectors. His background includes ten years as a financial analyst at SAS and investment firms focused on technology, media, and wireless telecom, followed by senior operating roles at enterprises of varying sizes. He currently focuses on disruptive technologies in wireless, mobile/digital media, agtech, and e-commerce.

Les Yetton is an investor and advisor focused on early-stage AI, data, and enterprise technology startups. As an Operating Partner at Stage 1 Ventures, he brings experience from executive roles including CEO and Head of Sales at venture-backed companies, with a track record of one IPO and three exits. His expertise spans go-to-market strategy, sales enablement, and ecosystem development across cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and SaaS solutions.

Michael Baum is Vice President of Delivery at Fiserv, where he directs teams of 100 to 200 professionals in developing and delivering custom technology solutions. He oversees up to 60 concurrent projects and manages infrastructure spanning Windows, Linux, databases, networking, and information security systems.

Michael Frank has 35 years of experience in operating, investment, and advisory roles within technology companies. He advises early and growth stage companies on business strategy, corporate development, fundraising, and management, with particular focus on enterprise software and communications markets including cloud computing, digital media, e-commerce, and mobile technologies. He currently serves as an advisor at eighty2i.

Mike Courtney is founder and CEO of Aperio Insights, a marketing research firm that applies software development approaches to qualitative research and data analytics. He holds a partner position at Generate Ventures LLC and serves as adjunct faculty, while maintaining an active angel investment practice. His work focuses on consumer behavior research, ethnographic methods, and strategic foresight.

Ralph Rodriguez is a technology executive and entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience in global technology companies, from venture-backed startups to publicly traded enterprises exceeding $1 billion in value. He has founded five companies—Confirm.io, Blue Hill Research, Delfigo Security, Invenio, and NTA—and currently serves as President and Chief Product Officer at Daon, where he is also a board member. Rodriguez holds 40 issued patents and 39 pending patent applications in areas including biometric security, digital identity, voice biometrics, and fraud detection, and serves on the boards of the National Association of Corporate Directors and the Latino Corporate Directors Association.

Rod Randall is an Executive Partner at Siris Capital and board member at Mavenir with over 25 years of experience in wireless telecommunications and computer networking. He served as Chief Marketing Officer of Lucent Technologies and was a General Partner at St. Paul Venture Capital, which manages $1.3 billion in assets. Randall co-founded Teleos Communications, growing it to $27 million in annual revenue before its sale to Madge Networks for $165 million, and has held senior marketing and operational roles at major technology companies including Stratus Computer and Ascend Communications.

Susan Major is the founder and owner of Major Executive Search, an executive search firm specializing in C-level placements across the wireless, telecom, software, and semiconductor sectors. She brings more than 18 years of technology industry experience with global high-growth companies and 12 years of executive search experience serving Fortune 500 companies and pre-IPO corporations, along with prior roles as Managing Director at Slayton International and office founder for A.T. Kearney Executive Search. Major previously worked at Motorola on product launches including cellular handsets and PDAs, and at Ameritech in wireless marketing; she holds two patents in wireless messaging and an MBA from Northeastern University.