- Martin Tobias
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Martin Tobias is a serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist. He has invested in over 25 companies, starting 3 himself. From his beginnings as a programmer, Tobias has focused on applying technology to solve real world business problems.
Contents
Early years
From 1982 to 1987, Tobias attended Oregon State University, majoring in Marketing with a background in Computer Science.
After graduating college, Tobias went to work for Andersen Consulting (Accenture) from 1987-1991. There, he focused on computer programming, working primarily on developing Cobol, System 38 , and AS/400 for various Fortune 500 companies. In 1989, Tobias consulted for Microsoft , eventually leaving Andersen to work for Microsoft in 1991.
From 1991 to 1997, Tobias worked for Microsoft in the fields of IT system development, electronic software distribution, and international subsidiaries. While at Microsoft, Tobias helped developed Select 3.0, the first corporate volume licensing program and was also instrumental in Microsoft's early entry into electronic software distribution (ESD).
In 1997, Tobias left Microsoft, founding Loudeye Technologies Inc., which would grow to become one of the predominant providers of audio and video solutions for the Internet. Tobias led Loudeye to its public offering in March 2000 and soon after moved from CEO to Chairman. Loudeye formed partnerships with companies such as Microsoft, Real Networks, NBC, CBS, AOL, Universal, Sony, Warner Bros., and EMI .
Ignition Partners
After Loudeye, Tobias joined Ignition Partners to pursue early stage technology investing. Martin was a venture partner in Bellevue, Washington-based venture capital firm Ignition Partners from 2001 until 2004, participating in a number of investments including Cloudmark, TerraNode, and IP Fabrics. Martin continues to serve on the board of Cloudmark Corp.
Seattle Biofuel/Imperium Renewables
After many years focused solely on software, in mid-2004 Tobias refocused his efforts to towards renewable green industries. He decided to become an expert in renewable energy and clean-tech investing. From there, Tobias invested in a fledgling company called Seattle Biofuel in 2004. Becoming Chairman and CEO in May 2005, he changed the company name to Imperium Renewables in December 2005.
In August 2007, Imperium opened up its Grays Harbor refinery. With a capacity of 100 million barrels, the facility became the largest biofuel refinery in the United States.
Tobias stepped down as Chairman and CEO of Imperium in January 2008, after the company's proposed $345 million initial public offering was canceled on the heels of poor financial results.[1] A planned biofuels plant in Oahu, Hawai'i was canceled concurrently.[2]
Kashless
In early 2008, after many unsuccessful attempts at giving away unwanted items online, Martin Tobias came up with his latest project, Kashless.org. Founded in October 2008, Kashless.org is the world's largest online marketplace exclusively dealing with free items. The site finally shut down after running out of funding in 2010.
Tippr.com
In February, 2010, Martin Tobias launched Tippr.com, a Seattle-based social commerce website. Tippr.com offers "accelerated deals” on goods, services and events in local markets.[3] Tippr LLC is owned by Kashless.org.[4]
Other Endeavors
Tobias is a special limited partner with Yaletown Ventures and Industry Ventures.
In 2004, Tobias created an Angel organization, the Northwest Energy Angel Alliance, that supports regional entrepreneurs in the energy sector with investment capital, strategic advice and mentoring.
Martin also started a charitable organization, The Tobias Foundation.
Tobias has worked in the film industry, starring in the 1998 Harley-Davidson motorcycle documentary, Biker Dreams and was Executive Producer for the 2008 short-film, How To Enter A Bedroom.
He has also written opinion articles for Wired, Men's Health, Details, Newsweek, Time and The Wall Street Journal, as well as writes his own blog, deepgreencrystals.
References
[5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17]
- ^ http://www.biofuelsdigest.com/blog2/2008/01/04/imperium-renewables-cancels-345-million-ipo-hawaii-plant-in-jeopardy-linked-to-ceo-departure/
- ^ http://www.projectnoproject.com/2010/12/imperium-renewables-biodiesel-plant-%E2%80%93-oahu-hawaii/
- ^ http://www.techflash.com/seattle/2010/02/mercatas_technology_reborn_in_martin_tobias_kashless.html
- ^ http://www.nwinnovation.com/story/0026853.html
- ^ http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-030310-tippr,0,7055543.story
- ^ http://oregonstate.edu/dept/ncs/newsarch/2009/Jan09/greenbusiness.html
- ^ http://www.futureinreview.com/participants.php?galleryid=3181
- ^ http://kashless.org/home/
- ^ http://tobiasfoundation.org
- ^ http://www.xconomy.com/boston/2008/12/18/kashless-is-hiring-expanding-and-pioneering-recommerce-says-founder-martin-tobias/
- ^ http://yaletown.com/people.html
- ^ http://www.ignitionpartners.com/people/venture_partners/martin_tobias.php
- ^ http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/7.08/encode.html
- ^ http://www.cnet.com/8300-13845_1-22.html?authorId=9730748
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0169612/
- ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1297930/fullcredits#cast
- ^ http://www.blogonevent.com/blogon2004/speakers/
Categories:- American computer businesspeople
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