Your Tech Story

Jayshri

Jayshri is an Electronics Engineer, but her passion towards writing made her to be in this field. Apart from content writing, she loves reading, writing and surfing on various topics. In her free time, she likes to watch TV series and news. Sherlock Holmes is her all time favorite show. Jayshri loves cooking various Indian-western dishes.

Cox

Cox communications- Journey to become third-largest digital cable TV provider in the USA

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Today, there are lots of entertainment mediums as well as devices are available. Some of the devices can be kept in a pocket. But still, television is the most loved entertainment medium among people all over the world. However, in the field of cable television service, Cox Communications is one of the popular names in the American market. As well, it is a leading cable television provider in the US ranked third in this field.

It is not only known for television service but also provides home automation and telecommunications services. Presently, it has acquired 6 million-plus customers.  Includes digital TV cable subscribers, telephone subscribers as well as internet subscribers. With such a huge number of subscribers, Cox Communications made it possible to become the seventh-largest telephone carrier in the USA. Let’s see how Cox Communications achieve success and become the third-largest cable television provider in America.

About Cox Communications

It is headquartered in Sandy Springs in Georgia, America. Basically, located in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The firm is a subsidiary of Cox Enterprises owned privately. Earlier, it was known as Cox Broadcasting Corp. Later on, it renamed as Dimension Cable Services. As well, it becomes Times mirror Cable before changing the name as Cox Communications. Apparently, the firm has gone through lots of evolution.

Presently, it offers the service in the field of digital cable television, telecom network as well as in Home Automation.

The backstory of foundation

As said earlier, Cox communications is one of the integral parts of Cox Enterprises started in mid of the 20th century. However, In 1962  the firm decided to jump into the cable television industry. That time it was public company later on acquired by Cox Enterprise in 1985. In order to explore the services, it acquired several cable systems in the USA. That’s how the birth of Cox Communications take place. Prior to the name Cox Communications, it was known as Cox Broadcasting till 1982.

Early Business

The firm started it’s business targeting the businesses that needed the telecom services. In fact, Cox Communications was the first multiple s/m cable operator that offered such services to the businesses. After that, it grew impeccably as a Cox business. Now it’s generating revenue of more than 1 billion dollars annually.

First multiple system cable operator

After the approval of the telecom act, Cox Communications stared offering phone services to its clients. It was during 1996-97. Thereafter, the firm acquired cable TV assets of several firms including Media General, Fredericksburg, etc. As well, it purchased Multimedia Cablevision.

Alternative Energy Project

The firm is known for doing various businesses. In 2011, it has completed the project of Alternative Energy. It was the step to minimize the use of electricity from the local power grid and to decrease the carbon footprint of the company. For that, the firm has installed two fuel cell at headquarters. So that the onsite power generation can be used to fulfill the electricity need of the firm.

Other products and services

The firm has gone through a loss of evolutions. Recently it started Cox home security that uses advanced technology. So, the clients can completely rely on the Cox Communications home security product for the ultimate security of home.

As well, it launched a platform called Contour in 2013. It is a television platform. Moreover, to support the integration of video streaming apps, it licensed Comcast’s Xfinity X1 platform in 2015. Awards and Recognition

For the diversity in business, DiversityInc Magazine named it at 25th place in the list of 50. As well, Cox Communications was in the sixth position on the same list in 2008. In the same year, it was the 8th firm for African Americans.

Cox Communications has offered many types of services in the field of telecommunications. It added one more service in the list, i.e., wireless communications in 2010. Presently, it is offering wireless services in Virginia, Nebraska, Orange City, California, etc…

Bottom Line

The firm has achieved huge respect in the American telecom market. However, it has been involved in a few disputes with Lin TV, Fox  News, Nexstar, etc.

Apart from that, the firm knows it’s CSR very well. It has the own charity helps to nonprofit serving youth. As well, focuses on well being of science and technology communications.

Convoy

Convoy- Journey to transform the World with maximum capacity and minimal waste

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There are a few businesses that are unknown to common people. But those business plays an important role to make our life easier. Either directly or indirectly, as Convoy does. To form the connection between shippers and carriers Convoy plays an important role. It is set up in 2015 to build the technology that minimizes the waste in the Freight industry. Presently, it acquired the top investors including T. Rowe Price associates and Generation Investment Management. As well,  Y Combinator, Lone Pine Capital, Capital G, and Bezos Expeditions believe Convoy and dream to build a more sustainable future with the help of Convoy. The duo of Dan and Goodale are masterminds behind Convoy’s success.

About Convoy

As said earlier, Convoy is established in 2015. However, just in two years, it raised the Series B funding of 62 million dollars. Also, grabbed the chance to get Continuity Fund from Y combinator. The founders of big firms like Amazon, Starbucks, Hadi, and several other firms have invested in Convoy. Moreover, the founders of Instagram, eBay, and Dropbox also interested to invest in Convoy.

It raised 180+ million dollars investment from CapitalG in 2018. Furthermore, Convoy attracted an investment of 400 million dollars from Generation investment Management in 2019. With this, it valued 2.75 billion dollars firm in the world.

The Backstory of foundation

Convoy’s journey gets started in early 2015. Grant and Dan both were the researchers in the supply chain. That time, they both were at Amazon. However, the actual journey to start Convoy began when Dan visited warehouses and truck stops. They came to know about the fears, uncertainty, and the frustration of truckers.  Researching for two to three months, they set up the firm as a local star up. With this, the service in Washington State gets started. Convoy is solely dedicated to transporting the world with zero waste and maximum capacity.

To bring the positive change and improvise deliver efficiencies and to change truckers’ lives they come up with the idea and set up Convoy. In just two years, it acquired the trust of top investors in the market. In fact, the CEOs of big firms believed Convoy to change the future of the Freight industry. Presently, it is one of the leading firms that transform the world with maximum capacity and minimal waste.

Glimpse to Founders life

The business is the product of the idea and dedication of founders. As well, they invest time to explore the business and work for the betterment of society. No doubt, any businessman set up the firm to gain the profit. But we cannot neglect their agenda to serve society. With an innovative approach, they work to simplify human life. Like Dan and Grant does with their business venture Convoy. Let’s see the journey of Dan and Grant to set up Convoy.

Dan Lewis-Chief Executive Officer

He is the present CEO at Convoy. Prior to that, he worked as a General Manager at Amazon. Also, he served as Vice president of product at Wavvi. Dan has experience as Microsoft’s group product manager. However, he started his career in the supply chain for Oliver Wyman. Coming to his education, Dan attended Yale University to study cognitive science. The contribution of Dan is considerable to change the ways of truck deliveries.

Grant Goodale- CTO

He is the present CTO at Convoy. Before that, he worked at Amazon. Apart from establishing Convoy, Grant set up Massively Fun. As well, he was the CEO of that gaming studio. Coming to his education, he has a computer science degree. For that, he attended Cornell University. Also, Grant went to the University of Southern California. Along with Dan, he is working to explore the business of Convoy. Furthermore, assisting the truckers for smooth and faster deliveries.

Bottom line

Presently, the firm effectively solving the unsolvable problems of the trucking industry. As well, helped to minimize the waste and inefficiency in this industry. The firm is based on a vision to easier the tasks of shippers, truckers, and all other tasks of the trucking industry. With the top professionals, Convoy in fact achieves its vision in a very short period.

Today, the firm successfully optimize dozens of truckloads that move around the country every day. Convoy solved the toughest problems of truckers and shippers. For its excellent work, it awarded as GeekWire’s Startup of the Year in 2017.

Kabbage

Kabbage – Rob Frohwein, M. Gorlin, and Kathryn Petralia’s online financial tech platform, assisting small businesses to grow

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When it comes to measuring the development of any country, small businesses are as important as a well-established franchise. However, small enterprises face lots of problems while establishing the name in the industry. The basic need to explore the service is funding, which is not easily available for small-size enterprises. To help them, Kabbage Inc is working since it’s the establishment. In fact, Kabbage. Today, it provides cash to small firms more quickly than a bank can cash a check. R. Frohwein, M. Gorlin, and K. Petralia set up the firm in 2012. During this time, Kabbage successfully raised series c funding of 30 million dollars. That helped to explore the business of Kabbage. As well, it marked the name in the list of Red Herring’s Top 100 North American private firms.

About Kabbage Inc

It is Atlanta based online financial tech firm, supporting a number of small entrepreneurs to grow their firm. For that, it uses an automated lending platform. Kabbage acquired the investment from leading firms like Thomvest Ventures, Reverence Capital Partners, BlueRun Ventures, etc. The firm started it’s service in 2011. However, it has started offering loans to small firms all across the continents since 2012.

As well, it received the funding of 106 million dollars from SoftBank Capital in 2014. With excellent service, Kabbage raised about 1 billion dollars each year and continue the funding to small businesses.

Exploring the business

In 2018, Kabbage acquired the data and analysis provider platform Orchard. So that the small institutions can enjoy the data-driven services of Kabbage. As well, it acquired Radius Intelligence in 2019. With this acquisition, it successfully enabled cash flow solutions.

Awards and recognition

Kabbage set up the name in the Forbes’ list of  Top 100 Most Promising Companies in two consecutive years. As well, it ranked 59th in the list of the best entrepreneurial companies in America. In 2018, it was among the list of Fintech 50. This list is created for recognized Top Small Business Lending Platform. Apart from that, it also enabled a healthy workplace for the employees. For that, it honored as Best Places to Work by Inc.’s annual list.

The persons behind Success of the firm

Rob Frohwein

He is the present CEO of the firm. As well, he helped to establish the company in 2012. Apart from that, he is an author, inventor, and host. Rob also co-hosted the radio show during his early career. Moreover, he has 30 plus patents on his name.

Kathryn Petralia

She is a well-known entrepreneur in America. Kathryn is one of the founding members of Kabbage, presently serving as COO of the firm. Forbes honored her as a 98th most powerful woman in finance, 2017. As well, she awarded as Fintech Woman of the Year. Also, TechCrunch features her in the list of 42 women succeeding in tech.

Early life and career

She was born on 17 August 1970. Kathryn developed an interest in technology from childhood. Which helped her in her business ventures. Coming to her education, she attended Furman University to study English literature.

Petralia started her career in the e-commerce sector.  During the 1990s she launched west coast commerce startup. As well, she helped in the US web program. In 2008, she met Marc Gorlin, and Rob Frohwein, later on, turned out as a partner of Kabbage. Moreover, she also served as a chief operating officer of Kabbage.

Marc Gorlin

He is the serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Kabbage, known for dozen of tech companies. Marc’s father was also the serial entrepreneur, and inspiration for Marc to show him a path. To assist small enterprises, he set up Kabbage along with other partners.

Bottom Line

Small businesses are a must for economic development in any country. But most of the time, small entrepreneurs lack the resources despite being highly capable. Because investors prefer a well-established franchise for investment. So, they can get returns without risk. Thus, small size firms face lots of problems in raising the funding for exploring the business. However, Kabbage is working to sort out the funding problem of small size businesses. Thus, helping the small businesses to flourish all over the world.

darktrace

Darktrace- AI based Cyber Security Platform for advanced enterprise network protection

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Artificial intelligence is the future, each and every sector is using it. But one common thing about technology evolution that it comes with infrastructure complexity. The digital infrastructure is getting critical and complex. However, to protect such critical data system and advanced infrastructure, needed the one step ahead AI-based cybersecurity. Cyber AI is much advanced that can learn the technology by itself and can generate the needed security. Just like our immune system. Darktrace was the first firm that enabled such AI-based cybersecurity. Top mathematicians from the University of Cambridge established the firm in 2013. Today, it is much easier to perform probability-based calculations to secure the digital system with Darktrace.

About Darktrace

It is headquartered in San Francisco and Cambridge. As well, having about 44 offices all across the continents. The firm is a pioneer to use AI for cybersecurity. So, cyber defense challenges can be solved in an effective way. It launched the autonomous response technology for the first time. Thus, strengthen the network system of organizations that take action against cyber threats at an early stage. Darktrace is based on the future perspective to secure the IT data in the next generation. This realistic idea helped to acquired top investors. Summit Partners, KKR, Samsung Ventures, Hoxton, TenEleven, Invoke Capital, and several other top ventures have invested in Darktrace.

How does it work?

Darktrace made use of AI to overcome the challenges in cybersecurity. In fact, it results in a fundamental shift in the capability of securing the critical data system.

No doubt, the non-AI security platform offers the best protection against cyber attacks. But these cyber attacks are increasing day by day. As well, the methods, techniques, and the way of cyberbullying is also changing. The simple cybersecurity platform needs human assistance to advanced the program. However, Cyber AI is self-learning technology.  Thus, enabling the more advanced protection against pre-defined threats.

Exploration of the business

In 2013, the top mathematicians set up Darktrace and acquired investment from the leading enterprise. As well, the team of cybersecurity experts experienced in the government intelligence team contributed to enabling AI-based security. It was the time when cyber threats were rising. All the experts of Darktrace used their experience and the emerging technology and transform the cyber defense platform. Soon, the technology proved it’s the power to identify many types of cyber threats at the initial stages. Like insider attacks, cloud-based threats, etc.

Just after three years of its foundation, it launched the autonomous response technology for the first time in the world. This technology strengthens the immune system of enterprises to take action against cyber threats at an early stage. During one of the dangerous wannacry ransomware attacks hit several organizations, Darktrace protected its customer’s network. After that, many firms trusted Darktrace for their network security.

Poppy Gustafsson- Darktrace’s CEO

She is presently serving as the CEO of the firm. Prior to that, she served as COO and CFO at Darktrace. Under her policies, the firm successfully reached a 1.65 billion dollars valuation in just five years. As per The Financial Times, Darktrace becomes Europe’s 9th ‘Fastest Growing European Company. As well, Poppy’s leadership marked the Darktrace name as Fastest Growing Super Scale-up’(Tech Tour).

Early Career and Education

She is a Chartered accountant by profession. Before joining Darktrace, she worked in the technology and venture capital sector as a financial controller. Also, Poppy worked as a Fund Accountant at Amadeus Capital Partners.

Awards and recognitions

Poppy Gustafsson is the recipient of Veuve Clicquot Business Woman Awards 2019. As well, she set her name on Management Today’s list, ’30 Women, under 35′ in 2018.

Later success of the Darktrace

Recently in 2017, Darktrace started a new unit, solely dedicated to fighting against cyber threats in industrial as well as SCADA network. As well, it continues the excellence and focused on building a strong customer base that preferred Darktrace AI. It is working great to secure the national infrastructure with AI-enabled cybersecurity.

To automate the investigation process Darktrace launched a Cyber AI analyst. It also performs argument security analysis. The firm intelligently uses advanced machine learning to the cybersecurity software application. As a result, become a dominant firm that has no significant competitor.

AvePoint

AvePoint- TJ Jiang and Kai Gong’s unique company that enables software solution for infrastructure management

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An independent software manufacturing and vendor firm AvePoint has a name in the industry because of its miscellaneous service. It is known for the development and selling of software as well, for software management. In 2013, it marked its name in a list of Deloitte Fast 500 of the fastest-growing companies in the world. Also, it was listed as the fastest-growing company in America in Inc. magazine’s “Inc. 500|5000” list. Presently, AvePoint acquired 13,000 plus enterprise clients worldwide. Today, the firm is successfully serving the industrial, education, healthcare, financial, as well as energy sectors all across the continents.

Tianyi Jiang
Image Source: stern.nyu.edu

About AvePoint

It is a New Jersey-based software development and management platform, set up in 2001. As well, it has several operational centers across the continents. Some of the operational centers are located in the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, China, South Africa, U.K, France, Germany, Switzerland, Singapore, and the Netherlands. The firm is known for software development, selling, and management. So that enterprise collaboration systems work well.

Today, dozens of organization belonging to all kind of fields prefers AvePoint. In fact, it had more than 12000 enterprise customers from financial, legal, cosmetics, mining, health, and many other fields. Even the government and defense of many countries trust AvePoint for software management.

The services offered by AvePoint

AvePoint offers infrastructure and governance development platform with its DocAve software platform. It enabled the optimization, integration, management, and protection for its product SharePoint. In 2012, the newer version with more features was released. As well, to design the governance policies for SharePoint, it launched DocAve Governance Automation in the same year.

Moreover, it also offers a SaaS platform for Microsoft Office 365 along with online backup for MS office 365. Apart from that, it also enabled the platform to minimize the risk of privacy violations. To restrict malicious attacks, data piracy, it designed the AvePoint Compliance Guardian Online platform. Also, it’s governance Automation online s/m offers the best service to business-centric users.

Some other platforms are AvePoint Compliance, DocAve Content Shield, DocAve File Share Navigator, and many more.

Other Services

Apart from being independent software management, the firm has been working in partnership with Microsoft. In fact, it’s a gold-certified partner of Microsoft. AvePoint Works to enhance the compatibility of SharePoint products as per changing needs. As well, it involved equipment manufacturer partnership. Because it focuses on leverage it’s a technology using third-party applications.

Six years ago in 2014, Rackspace and AvePoint announced agreements. With this, the firms will focus on hosting and value-added reselling. Additionally, the content management products of AvePoint will be available for Rackspace’s clients.

Glimpse to Founders life

TJ Jiang

He is the co-founder and present Co-CEO of the firm. TJ attended Cornell University for a bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Electrical and computer engineering. However, he also went to NYU Stern School of Business. Presently, he handles the AvePoint business strategy and development. In 2010, he received Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year award in New Jersey.

Early Career

Before co-founding AvePoint, his career focus was on designing and implementing fix-income trading systems, global equity program trading platforms. As well, he was interested in credit risk modeling and researching Data Mining. Throughout the career journey, he spends much of his time meeting with customers, partners, and industry analysts in order to better understand the customer journey. So that to consult on practical and effective business outcome-based digital transformation.

Kai Gong

He is one of the founding members and present co-Ceo at AvePoint. Before that, he was a senior software engineer at Bell Labs at Lucent Technologies. Prior to that, he also served at Jhonson and Jhonson as a software engineer. Kai Gong attended Southern University to study Computer Science.

Awards and recognition of AvePoint

In a very short duration, the firm proved it’s excellence and get noticed at the international level. It’s DocAve 6 product was recognized as Best of TechEd. As well, the firm was the finalist at Microsoft partner of the year award 2013 in three categories. Those categories were the SharePoint app developer, Content partner, and the public sector partner of the year.

However, it also received the Microsoft partner of the year award in 2014. Moreover, its name among Deloitte Fast 500 of the fastest-growing companies in the world.

Bottom Line

Since it’s the foundation, AvePoint Inc is providing miscellaneous service and software solutions for infrastructure management. It covers enterprise content management, web content management, governance, as well as cloud integration. AvePoint is a trusted provider of many enterprises from many fields. Today, more than 14,000 enterprises and 3 million-plus cloud users trust AvePoint to manage SharePoint as well as Office 365 data.

ZeroFOX

ZeroFOX- James C. Foster and Evan Blair’s security platform to make the world safe in this digital era

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Digitalization made life easier, isn’t it? Yes, of course! Many things are possible virtually with the help of digital mediums. It is useful for both common people and organizations to easier tasks. In this coronavirus pandemic, we actually witness the effectiveness of digitalization. From the conferences to the important meetings, everything is running uninterruptedly due to the digital medium and Information technology.  You’ll find no organization that runs the tasks without IT service. No matter how small the organization is, it will at least us computers to save its data.

Unfortunately, all good comes with some flaws like phishing, piracy, online scams, malware, viruses, etc. If any individual or organization gets caught into the web of cybercrimes, face a huge loss. Either personally or professionally.

However, there are few cybersecurity firms like ZeroFox that are helping organizations to secure their online data from cyberbullies. It is set up in 2013 by Evan L. Blair, and James C. Foster in order to save individuals and organizations from phishing, spams, and all kind of cyberattacks. The prime purpose of the expert team of ZeroFOX is to make the world safe. Both for people and organizations in this digital era. 

About the Company

A Cybersecurity firm ZeroFOX is located in Baltimore, Maryland. It enabled a cloud-based SaaS for small to large size organizations. With ZeroFOX’s platform, it is easy to detect the risk of cybercrimes.

To improve the service and reach, ZeroFOX raised about 100M dollar funding from top investors. Including, NEA, Silver Lake Waterman, Highland Capital, Redline Capital, etc. Moreover, the firm has been known for its excellent service. For that, it awarded several top awards. Like the SINET16 Champion, Red Herring North America Top 100, and Dark Reading’s Top Security Startups to Watch. As well, ZeroFOX honored with Tech Council of Maryland’s Technology Company of the Year. Also, it bags the Security Tech Trailblazer of the Year award.

The backstory of foundation

In 2013, the journey of ZeroFOX get started under the name Riskive. Later on, it renamed ZeroFOX. Initially, the workspace is limited to the area of 8000 square feet only. At the time the firm is founded, there were very few firms in a similar field. As well, the rising cybercrimes were a hot potato. Because of the unique idea to tackle the problem of cybersecurity, the firm started attracting investors.

Soon in 2015, it raised Series B funding and outgrown the workplace.  Furthermore, the firm successfully raised 40 million dollar funding through Redline Capital Management. In 2017, it shifted its focus toward pre-IPO companies.

The masterminds behind ZeroFOX

James C. Foster

He is the present CEO at ZeroFOX. Under his policies, ZeroFOX successfully acquired the top investors on the earth, raising about 100 million dollars funding. As well, he is one of the board of directors of the firm.

ZeroFOX
Image Source: alchetron.com

Education and career

He completed the early study from the University of Maryland in Software Engineering. Thereafter, he attended Capitol Technology University to study Science Software Engineering. As well, James attended Wharton School International Business.

Earlier, he founded a top-level cybersecurity firm Ciphent. Also, he served as the CEO of Ciphent for a long time. Apart from that, he also served as an Advisory Board Chairman & Senior Vice President at Accuvant, Inc. While at Accuvant, Foster helped led the company through rapid growth where the company more than doubled in size under two years.

Evan Blair

He is one of the founding members of ZeroFOX. Presently, he is the Global Vice president, handling channel sales at ZeroFOX.

Evan is presently responsible for driving the corporate vision at ZeroFOX. As well, helping to build a partner-centric go-to-market strategy. To explore the business, customers play an integral role. However, Evan is contributing to the retention of customers understanding their security challenges. Also, he guides in solving security challenges and risks that digital business engagement presents to the modern business.

Education and other work

He studied International Economics at Cambridge University and holds a BA in Economics from Wake Forest University. Apart from that, Evan is a keynote speaker and startup advisor. Evan has presented at several conferences. Such as the RSA Conference, Digital Copenhagen, McAfee FOCUS, SINET, etc. As well, he has been featured by the New York Times and The Atlantic. Forbes and other major publications also honored him.

In fact, he was an integral part of the Leadership Team of Solution Practice at Accuvant. Furthermore, he also served at Ciphent.

Bottom Line

ZeroFOX is the ultimate platform to protect individuals and firms from cyber threats. With its vision to made digital platform risk free, ZeroFOX enhancing its platform day by day.