Mark Saul –

VCJ Fact Sheet for Mark Saul

Born: August 13, 1961

Education: MBA with distinction from the Harvard Business School; AB in History and BS in Engineering from Stanford University

Career path: Mark Saul joined Foundation Capital in 1999, bringing with him nearly two decades of experience as a high-tech, start-up executive. Prior to Foundation Capital, Mark served as chairman, and CEO of Acuity, where he refocused the company’s direction, resulting in a successful sale to a division of Avaya (AV). Before Acuity, Mark served as the vice president of marketing for Network Appliance (NTAP), vice president of sales for Pure Software (RATL) and in various sales and marketing management roles for Auspex (ASPX). Mark began his high tech career as a product engineer for VLSI Technologies (now part of Philips Semiconductor). Mark has also had a successful track record as an angel investor, including wins such as Grand Junction Networks and Interwoven (IWOV) on whose board he served for four years.

Venture focus: Communications and Internet infrastructure

Investments: Agile Storage, Solar Flare Communications, Alidian, Vivace Networks, U-Mogul.com, Grand Junction Networks and Interwoven

Greatest accomplishment: Leading a successful communications startup as CEO.

Biggest mistake: Not taking a short break from my operating career to join a venture firm as an entrepreneur-in-residence.

If you weren?t a VC, you?d be an? Entrepreneur.

Pet peeve: Short-term-oriented venture investors not committed to company building.

Did you know? Mark is a jet pilot and surfer.

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