Venkat Raghavan

Founder and CEO

2020 - Current

Founder & CEO | Stack Identity (Acquired by JumpCloud) 📍 2020 – Present Pioneered a new category at the nexus of AI-driven identity and data security, driving strong market adoption and a successful acquisition. Created and led the AI-driven security category, solving identity sprawl and sensitive data risk in cloud environments. Built and scaled AI-powered automation to detect hidden security risks and enforce real-time remediation. Developed a product-led GTM strategy, ensuring continuous PMF through iterative customer feedback and adoption insights. Scaled the company from concept to acquisition, proving product viability and strong market demand. Established early enterprise traction, demonstrating quantifiable security risk reduction and measurable ROI. Led fundraising, strategic partnerships, and sales growth, maintaining a product-first culture focused on customer needs.

Operating Partner

2020

Operating Partner | Benhamou Global Ventures (BGV) 📍 2019 – Present Support General Partners in investment thesis development and due diligence, specializing in Vertical AI and Cybersecurity investments. Provide deep strategic guidance on Product-Market Fit (PMF), helping early-stage AI and cybersecurity startups refine their market positioning, GTM strategies, and scalability. Conduct rigorous due diligence on emerging AI and security startups, assessing market viability, competitive differentiation, and long-term defensibility. Work closely with founders and executive teams to align product strategy with investor expectations and ensure PMF validation before scaling. Leverage expertise from Stack Identity, Blue Coat, and IBM to identify disruptive AI-driven security models and automation trends. Collaborate with portfolio companies on AI-driven automation, enterprise security adoption, and cloud-native cybersecurity innovations.

Technology Advisor

2019 - 2022

Board Observer

2020

Board Observer

2020

Member, Board Observer

2020

Board Member & Strategic Advisor

2019

As a Board Member and Strategic Advisor, I work with founders, CEOs, and executive teams in AI, cybersecurity, and deep-tech companies, guiding them through critical growth moments, product-market fit (PMF) transitions, and strategic pivots. I bring deep expertise in: Product-Market Fit & Scaling → Helping companies align their AI & cybersecurity innovations with enterprise adoption and market demand. Go-to-Market Strategy (GTM) & Growth → Driving GTM execution, monetization models, and customer adoption strategies for deep-tech startups. Product-Driven Pivots & Category Creation → Advising leadership teams on repositioning products to create and dominate new market categories. M&A & Capital Strategy → Supporting inorganic growth, strategic acquisitions, and venture fundraising for high-growth companies. My Board contributions focus on ensuring product, strategy, and market execution are fully aligned to drive sustainable growth, differentiation, and long-term enterprise value creation.

VP, AI & Hybrid Cloud | IBM Research

2015 - 2019

Led AI-driven innovation in security, automation, and enterprise cloud, shaping IBM’s AI product strategy. Drove AI research and applied machine learning in enterprise security, cloud infrastructure, and automation to advance IBM’s product roadmap. Led cross-functional teams in developing AI-powered security solutions, integrating machine learning into IBM’s threat detection, identity governance, and compliance automation. Bridged AI research and commercialization, ensuring AI-driven technologies transitioned from research to enterprise products. Championed AI in hybrid cloud, focusing on intelligent workload automation, governance, and compliance solutions. Advised IBM’s leadership on AI’s role in business transformation, positioning AI as a growth driver in enterprise software.

SVP, Products, Engineering & Corporate Development | Blue Coat Systems

2012 - 2015

Led a product-driven transformation, repositioning Blue Coat as a unified security platform, protecting global employees from Internet threats and driving EBITDA growth. Executed multiple strategic acquisitions, integrating standalone security products into a cohesive platform, strengthening enterprise adoption. Led product, engineering, and corporate development, aligning teams to a common product vision and enhancing market differentiation. Shifted Blue Coat’s market positioning from discrete security products to an integrated platform, expanding gross margins and improving EBITDA. Delivered PMF at the platform level, ensuring seamless interoperability and stronger customer retention. Established thought leadership in enterprise security, shaping Blue Coat’s positioning as a market leader in threat protection.

Director & Product Leader, Security & Risk | IBM

2006 - 2012

Led IBM’s security innovation, expanding market categories in Identity & Access Management (IAM), Threat Intelligence, SIEM, Data Security, and Risk Management. Founded and launched IBM X-Force, pioneering an industry-first threat research model later emulated by the cybersecurity industry. Led product strategy and GTM execution for IBM’s IAM, SIEM, and data security solutions, ensuring strong Product-Market Fit (PMF) across multiple security segments. Expanded IBM’s security business through strategic acquisitions, accelerating PMF and strengthening IBM’s dominance in enterprise security. Developed next-gen security architectures, driving innovation in application security, zero-trust, and compliance automation. Established IBM as a global leader in cybersecurity, driving adoption across Fortune 500 enterprises and government agencies.

Program Director - Security Segment Strategy and Products

2000 - 2006

Developed the cyber security segment strategy and product blueprint for IBM security. Built a world class product management and market management organization. Grew market share, every year in the Global 2000 Enterprise and developed IBM into a powerhouse in enterprise security.