Paul Ford

Venture Portfolio

2025 - Current

Aligned with DIU's mission and spanning its seven critical areas of focus, the Venture Portfolio accelerates the rapid adoption of dual-use technologies for the U.S. Department of Defense. Our dynamic accelerators and prize challenges connect innovative early-stage ventures with key defense needs, delivering impactful solutions at speed and scale.

Investment Advisor & Consultant

2019

Focused on Innovation in Massive Scale Infrastructure, Hardware, SaaS, Blockchain, AI Software (Deep Tech) Defense Tech and More

Vice President, Developer Relations

2023 - 2024

Redis is the original and most widely used in-memory, realtime NoSQL database, powering OpenAI, Visa, Netflix, banking, blockchain and much more. World Leader in Highly Scalable, Highly Available Realtime Database Infrastructure for Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) Generative A.I. and More - Open AI, Docugami, Langchain and many others rely on Redis! Redis Vector Library (RedisVL) provides a powerful Python client library for using Redis as a Vector Database. Leveraging the speed and reliability of Redis along with vector-based semantic search capabilities supercharges all A.I. applications! Redis Enterprise is trusted by developers, architects and devops pros at the biggest names in tech. AWS, Google Cloud and Microsoft Azure all provide Redis as a service With over 4 Billion Docker Pulls and 60,00 GitHub stars, Open Source Redis has been voted the "Most Loved Database" by Stack Overflow developers for over 10 years.

Investor

2021 - 2023

Vice President, Developer Relations - Bridging Innovation and Ecosystem at Chia Network 🌱

2021 - 2022

The Chia blockchain is a decentralized, environmentally friendly blockchain that uses a unique consensus mechanism called "Proof of Space and Time" instead of traditional "Proof of Work" (used by Bitcoin) or "Proof of Stake" (used by Ethereum). Chia was created by Bram Cohen, the inventor of the BitTorrent protocol, to address concerns around the high energy consumption and environmental impact associated with Proof of Work mining. VP of Developer Relations | As the Vice President of Developer Relations at Chia Network, I was empowered to expand and grow a vibrant community of developers in the blockchain ecosystem, focusing on building sustainable, scalable solutions with Chia’s groundbreaking Proof of Space and Time consensus. I lead our developer engagement strategy, with impactful programs that enabled developers to leverage Chia’s unique blockchain technology to build secure, energy-efficient applications. Key Focus Areas: Ecosystem Growth: Cultivating a robust network of developers, partners, and contributors to build on Chia’s green, decentralized blockchain. Community Engagement: Building strong relationships within the developer community through hackathons, forums, and collaborative events. Grant Committee: As part of the Chia Grant Committee, I had the privilege to provide monetary grants to talented developers advancing the Chia ecosystem with new applications, innovations, and tools.

Chief Marketing Officer

2020 - 2021

Web 3.0 company CMO responsible for both Product and Marketing Teams. Storj provides highly secure, private, affordable, decentralized cloud video storage for developers building applications or storing data in the cloud. Storj DCS (Decentralized Cloud Storage) uses encryption by default and edge-based access control to give developers better control of their data so they can build with confidence. With its robust library of documentation, open-source architecture, and S3-compatibility, Storj DCS makes it simple for developers to migrate to the service from legacy cloud storage providers.The Storj Network uses STORJ token, an ERC-20 utility token, as an exchange of value across its network. Privacy + Security = Trust In this role, I did many things. - Re-aligned Product Management and Product Development teams to drive product development and roadmaps focused on voice of the customer (VOC) and needs of the market. Initiated product led growth (PLG) strategy and framework for implementation. - Orchestrated and executed strategy for full Company, Brand and Product re-launch (4/20/2021), including: - Positioned the company as a decentralized data storage tool and system for Developers - Created a clean, unified and easy to understand brand experience via full brand refresh - Established new naming convention for commercial and open source products and services - New, modern "trackerless" website with enhanced user experience and onboarding flows to drive greater adoption and traction - Enhanced documentation experience for developers - Created Growth Marketing team and implemented best in class, robust Martec stack - Created Product Marketing team to drive persona development and over all messaging and materials - Conducted external market research (tuner.us) with full panels and deep research analysis 6350 New customers just after launch +300% conversion rate via new UX and onboarding flows New, Multi-Tenant S3 Gateway on Equinix Fabric Much more…

Twilio

2019 - 2019

Team transition and integration

VP Startup Ecosystem Development $20M->$147M Revenue - $1.5BN IPO 2017; $3BN Acquisition/Twilio 2019

2016 - 2019

SendGrid - The Email API. Led global community and ecosystem development programs and initiatives. Developer Relations, VCs & Accelerators, Early Stage Monetization Strategies, Growth. Ensured that the "Voice of the Developer" was clearly translated to the Executive Team and all functions within the company. Creator of SendGrid's "Accelerate" startup program, helping thousands of the worlds top accelerator and VC/PE backed startups and early growth stage companies on the road to success with world-class structured engagement and retention tools, training and mentorship. Worked with all top global accelerator systems and programs, a wide range of VC's and funding sources and more to create connections, value and profitability all around. Created and developed highly specialized "funnels" within CRM tools to track value and growth of startups within our ecosystem, and presented realtime, deep metrics and dashboards to execs, bizdev and sales analysis teams. Worked to develop high-value startups into long term paying customers (Find "the next Uber, Airbnb, Pinterest or NextDoor") Led the development and expansion of SendGrid’s Open Source libraries and developer documentation. Created the Developer Experience Team to focus on the company’s bread and butter. Worked closely with the Executive Team and others to drive the company to profitability, and execute what has been called one of the top IPO's of 2017. SendGrid was Techstars top portfolio company exit to date. Less than a year later, SendGrid was acquired by Twilio to extend their omnichannel strategy into the email space.

Vice President, Product & Marketing (Feb 2014 - May 2016)

2014 - 2016

Product and Marketing Leader at the worlds most advanced Email Infrastructure as a Service Company (E-IAAS). As part of the Executive Team, worked to re-structure both the Product and Marketing Teams to prepare for the next phase of the company life cycle. (Move from early stage to growth stage funding to IPO then exit). Re-org'd and enhanced Marketing Team to prepare for growth with a product-led mindset. New organization efforts included: Defined Marketing organization over all Vision and Purpose, Brand Definition and Identity, Created Corporate PR Team, Product Marketing, Sales Enablement, UI/UX, Docs and Developer Experience, In-House Design Team, First-ever Customer Personas and much more. Expanded and up-skilled Product Team to help move the company from single product/market company to new multi-product/market, multi-touch attribution omni channel vision. Drove the creation and development of SendGrid’s “Act 2” digital marketing and engagement product that came to be known as Marketing Campaigns. Off boarded early stage CEO, and on boarded growth stage/public market CEO. On boarded new CPO (Chief Product Officer) and new CMO (Chief Marketing Officer) in preparation for anticipated public market entrance.

Entrepreneur in Residence - United States of America

2012 - 2014

One of 5 Entrepreneur's in Residence supporting the White House and Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) efforts in growing the U.S. economy and creating American jobs. This appointment, supported by SoftLayer Technologies, is part of the US Government's "Loaned Executive Program". USCIS Director Alejandro Mayorkas spearheaded this initiative to harness industry expertise from the public and private sectors that will increase the job creation potential of employment-based and high-skilled visa categories. Called ‘Entrepreneurs in Residence’, the initiative built upon a series of policy, operational, and outreach efforts within the framework of existing immigration laws. The Mission: To streamline existing visa pathways for immigrant entrepreneurs interested in coming to the United States to create jobs. US EIR Kickoff Announcement - https://www.uscis.gov/archive/uscis-announces-entrepreneurs-in-residence-initiative WhiteHouse Blog - "Entrepreneurs in Residence Start Your Engines" - https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2012/04/19/entrepreneurs-residence-start-your-engines USCIS Press Release - "USCIS Develops Tools to Help Foreign Entrepreneurs Create and Grow Businesses in the United States" - https://www.uscis.gov/archive/uscis-develops-tools-to-help-foreign-entrepreneurs-create-and-grow-businesses-in-the-united-states ABC News - "Silicon Valley Helps Streamline the Immigration Process" - Quoted - https://abcnews.go.com/ABC_Univision/Politics/website-streamlines-immigration-process-foreign-born-entrepreneurs/story?id=17830313 The White House Blog - "A New Front Door for Immigrant Entrepreneurs" https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2012/11/29/new-front-door-immigrant-entrepreneurs Washington Post - "Immigration Chief: Agency adapting to changing landscape to keep entrepreneur jobs in the US" http://wapo.st/X5RTCm

Vice President, Startups & Ecosystem Development ($300M+ Annual Revenue - Acquired by IBM - $2.5 BN)

2012 - 2014

Advanced the SoftLayer Cloud Ecosystem Through: -Global Accelerator and Incubator Partnerships -Venture Capital Companies, PE and Their Portfolios -Developers and Dev Organizations -Strategic Business Development linking all of the above Key member of the SoftLayer Executive Team. Saw revenue grow multi-x in just over in 3+ years - Culminating in an all-cash sale to IBM for ~$2.5BN USD (Now the IBM Cloud) Worked with the CEO and CSO to focus a spotlight on the most vibrant and technically advanced cloud, API driven dedicated and hybrid Infrastructure as a Service (IAAS) community in the world. Customers, revenue, partnerships and new business development. Architect and co-founder of SoftLayer's Catalyst Startup Program - The most advanced program of its kind to date. Responsible for: -Venture Capital Relationships and Interaction -Startup and Developer Relations -Technology Partnerships -Strategic Development and Relationships - Hardware based API evangelism Initiatives Include: - Helping our Customers everywhere make the most of their SoftLayer infrastructure - Building and maintaining a dynamic, robust and mutually beneficial technology partners ecosystem based on innovation and automation - Incubating great companies, great products and great ideas, and helping them on the road to success - Working with Seed Stage, Angel and Venture Capital investors to ensure portfolio companies and their products have the highly scalable compute infrastructure they need and deserve -Working closely with SoftLayer's Innovation Team to identify potential partner technologies for possible productization and stack integration - Working with global developers on next-generation products and services based on the SoftLayer compute platform - Building bridges between complementary technologies and technology companies and helping them realize the benefits of creating synergies to compete in global markets

Vice President, Marketing

2010 - 2012

Led the Marketing Efforts for the worlds most advanced, API-driven Cloud/Managed/Dedicated/Enterprise Hosting and Infrastructure as a Service (IAAS) Company. - Orchestrated and executed re-org of SoftLayer Marketing Team following the acquisition of hosting rival "The Planet" - Up leveled Marketing Team talent and structure including Trade Shows & Events, Corporate Comms, PR, digital marketing - SEO/SEM/PPC and more in preparation for the company's explosive growth stage efforts - Founded SoftLayer's world renown "Catalyst Startup Program" and established mutually beneficial partnerships with Techstars, 500 Startups, the Global Accelerator Network and more - On boarded CMO