MENLO PARK, CA--(Marketwire - November 22, 2010) - Sierra Ventures, a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm focused on technology and innovation worldwide, today announced two promotions to Partner. Robert Walker, formerly a Principal in Sierra's hardware practice, was promoted from Principal to Partner, and Gamiel Gran, formerly Vice President, was promoted to Partner, Business Development.
"Sierra Ventures continues to see the need for deep operational skills to compliment our investment process and both Bob and Gamiel bring substantial operational and entrepreneurial strength to our portfolio of investments," said Managing Director Dave Schwab. "Both Bob and Gamiel have more than 20 years of executive management experience to bring to Sierra Ventures."
"Our investment process includes a great deal of hands on support during each major stage of investing, from due diligence to market execution," said Managing Director Ben Yu. "Each stage benefits from the breadth of experience that these two Partners bring to Sierra Ventures and we are thrilled to have them as part of our team."
About Robert C. Walker, Ph.D.
Robert Walker, Ph.D. joined Sierra Ventures in 2008, and focuses on investments in solid state lighting, displays, clean technology, solar energy and semiconductors. Prior to joining Sierra he was CEO of BridgeLux, a high-power LED lighting company, from 2005-2007, and served on its Board of Directors from 2004-2007. In 2003, Bob founded YEBY Associates, a Silicon Valley-based consultancy specializing in the Solid State Lighting industry. From 2001-2004, he was Managing Director-USA of Vincera Ventures, a US$150M venture capital fund based in Taiwan with several investments in the areas of LEDs and compound semiconductors. During his eight years at EMCORE Corporation, a leading provider of MOCVD equipment to the compound semiconductor industry, he held a variety of sales and marketing positions, including General Manager, Pacific Rim.
Prior to joining the compound semiconductor industry, Bob spent 10 years conducting high energy physics research, including several years spent living in Japan. He is an author of the paper that announced the discovery of the "Top" quark, one of the fundamental particles of nature. He received his Ph.D. in Physics from Caltech in 1989 and a triple major in math, physics and computer engineering from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1984. He has traveled extensively throughout the Pacific Rim region, and has been involved with the HB LED industry in Taiwan, Korea and China since its inception. http://www.sierraventures.com/index.php?p=team&member=Walker
About Gamiel Gran
Gamiel Gran joined Sierra Ventures in 2008 and focuses on business development efforts for the firm. His role includes the development of external advisory boards such as the Sierra Ventures CIO Advisory Board, and the development of partnerships with services providers including Angel investors, recruiters, Venture Banking, and law firms. Gamiel also leads market insight efforts for the firm through his access to the CIO Advisory Board. This effort improves the overall investment process with richer due diligence, proprietary deal flow, and strategic advice for the companies in Sierra's global portfolio.
Gamiel brings more than 20 years of operational roles leading Business and Corporate Development, Strategic Alliances, Indirect Channels, and Direct Sales for companies such as IBM, Oracle, BEA, Asera, Edify and Cassatt. Prior to joining Sierra in 2008, Gamiel was VP Global Channels/Business Development at Cassatt Corp., VP Global Channel Sales at Edify, VP Strategic Alliances at BEA, and VP Business Development at Asera. He also spent four years at Oracle in Channel Sales and ten years at IBM in Business Development and Sales. During his career, Gamiel has been recognized for successfully establishing strategic relationships and launching channels and indirect sales models publications such as VAR Business and CRN have captured these skills with various industry awards. Gamiel holds a BA in Economics/Social Science from the University of California at Berkeley. He is a California native, and lives in Portola Valley with his wife of more than 20 years, and his 3 children. He also serves as a board member for the Menlo-Atherton High School Foundation for Future. http://www.sierraventures.com/index.php?p=team&member=Gran
About Sierra Ventures
Sierra Ventures is a private venture capital firm focused on investments across all areas of Information Technology. The firm works with entrepreneurs and management teams to originate and build new companies into large, profitable businesses. Since 1982 Sierra has raised nine venture funds with over $1.5 billion in committed capital. Some of the firm's investments include 360Commerce (acquired by Oracle), Active Software (acquired by WebMethods), American Fiber Systems (acquired by Zayo Group), Centex (acquired by MFS), AuthenTec Inc. (
Contact Information:
Contact:
Gamiel Gran
Partner
gamiel@sierraventures.com
tel 650-854-1000