John Foster

John Foster Email and Phone Number

Chief Executive Officer @ CloudSphere
California, United States
John Foster's Location
San Francisco Bay Area, United States, United States
John Foster's Contact Details
About John Foster

I launched my career as a Tax Consultant at Price Waterhouse but was soon drawn to more forward-looking roles, which propelled me into venture capital. I then pursued an MBA and transitioned into operating positions in technology-focused companies, uncovering an aptitude for selling technology products and companies.I excel at building startups through mid-market companies by developing and communicating a clear strategic focus against which the team can execute. I build great teams and have a keen sense of when to give guidance and when to let people work. My colleagues view me as an invaluable business partner, ethical leader, and creative dealmaker with a deep understanding of digital technology and a sophisticated approach to financial strategy. I have repeatedly negotiated and executed company acquisitions and successful exits by identifying key product markets and tapping new avenues for growth through thoughtful strategic partnerships and corporate development activities.CAREER HIGHLIGHTS:☞ Founded and led venture-backed Voice AI startup; developed key strategic partnerships with mobile phone OEM, satellite radio leader, and hands-free device manufacturer; drove to successful exit in 2021 to Peloton at multiples of invested capital. ☞ Led successful turnaround of InfoSpace (Nasdaq: INSP), resulting in ~$1B return to shareholders. ☞ Drove acquisition of Switchboard.com (SWBD) to catapult local search traffic and revenue by 2X+, positioning InfoSpace as the #2 player in local search. Later sold InfoSpace Local for 4X purchase price of Switchboard. ☞ Led acquisition of Moviso to make InfoSpace Mobile the largest mobile content provider in North America. Later sold InfoSpace Mobile for 10X the purchase price of Moviso.KEY SKILLS: ► Startup & VC-Funded Businesses► Corporate Strategy ► Team Leadership► Fund Raising ► Product Market Fit► Strategic Partnerships► Accelerating Growth► Relationship Building ► Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)► Software as a Service (SaaS)► P&L Management► Business Development

John Foster's Current Company Details
CloudSphere

Cloudsphere

View
Chief Executive Officer
California, United States
John Foster Work Experience Details
  • Cloudsphere
    Chief Executive Officer
    Cloudsphere
    California, United States
  • Cloudsphere
    Chief Executive Officer
    Cloudsphere Apr 2024 - Present
    Palo Alto, California, Us
    CloudSphere – Comprehensive IT Visibility. CloudSphere’s market-leading IT visibility platform offers unmatched insights for managing large, complex IT environments. With the growing complexity of IT management across cloud, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments, CloudSphere’s Knowledge Graph becomes the single source of truth to support reliable generative AI automations.
  • Ultrata, Llc
    Advisor
    Ultrata, Llc May 2021 - Present
    Ultrata’s Intelligent Memory Fabric (IMF) architecture creates a massive, dynamic memory pool available to all CPU’s connected to the pool, enabling in-memory compute on data intensive AI and ML applications. Working with the company on go-to-market strategy & execution, business development and corporate development.
  • Aiqudo
    Ceo Co-Founder
    Aiqudo Mar 2017 - Feb 2021
    Campbell, California, Us
    Aiqudo pioneered the voice space, creating a voice AI platform to voice-enable the mobile app ecosystem. Aiqudo combined the ease of natural language voice commands with the power and utility of mobile apps - what the digital assistant experience should be. Successful exit to Peloton 2/21
  • Quixey
    Ceo
    Quixey Aug 2016 - Mar 2017
    Quixey takes mobile search to what it should be: one tap to action. Stop searching, start doing.
  • Dhi
    Ceo And Founder
    Dhi Jan 2013 - Jul 2016
    Creating value through intensive management attention. We invest/advise/acquire consumer web & mobile companies at the extreme poles of the lifecycle - either startups poised for rapid growth or public co. spin-offs in need of turn around & revitalization.
  • Zed
    President, Regional Director, Zed Usa
    Zed 2009 - 2012
    Recast Zed after devastating smartphone market disruption. Established Silicon Valley presence to focus on tech leadership centered in US. Recruited CTO candidates to pivot away from irrelevant walled garden platforms. Recruited high profile board members to position company for US IPO. Halted precipitous decline in ringtone business (>50% y/y declines to <10% declines), restored broken relationships with carrier customers. Completely revamped key management team: GM, technology, finance, bus dev., business intelligence, HR. Pivoted business away from ringtones to launch game apps leveraging content management assets in digital music.
  • Infospace
    Svp Corporate Development
    Infospace 2003 - 2008
    Bellevue, Washington, Us
    Key leader of highly successful turnaround team. Developed corporate strategy, executed via strategic acquisitions & divestitures, successfully transforming InfoSpace from Dot.com has-been to leading player in two new, high growth industries. Transformed low revenue mobile business into largest mobile content business in North America with acquisition of Moviso, doubling revenue every year for 3 years to peak of $200M. Acquired Switchboard.com to double INSP local search traffic and >2X revenue by layering INSP monetization onto SWBD traffic, creating highly profitable leading player in local search. Built strong deal flow network of top tier VC, PE, & banking relationships. Drove complex three-way divestiture process, resulting in sale of mobile business unit for more than 10X purchase price & local search for more than 4X purchase price. By creating market leaders out of unloved assets, INSP generated ~ $1 billion of value for shareholders
  • Realnetworks
    General Manager, Business Development
    Realnetworks Jan 1999 - Aug 2000
    Seattle, Wa, Us
    Drove strategic partnerships that accelerated Real to industry standard streaming platform. Focused disparate individual contributors into coordinated unit with clear strategic mission. Managed group to exceed both revenue and strategic objectives. Created partner support unit to ensure successful execution of deals, including dedicated dev. resources, co-selling & co-marketing plans to drive $25M+ revenue
  • Nextlink Communications
    Vp, Business Development
    Nextlink Communications 1996 - 1998
    Us
    Led all merger & acquisition activities: sourced, evaluated & negotiated transactions that readied company for IPO. Acquisitions completely transformed company profile/focus from network constructor in small markets with no revenue to operating & selling in major markets; generated majority of $50M run rate revenue. Successful IPO with $1B+ market cap. Assembled & led cross functional project teams to launch new strategic business opportunities including Internet & next gen communications services
  • Dillon Read & Co
    Associate
    Dillon Read & Co 1990 - 1994
    Chief Financial Officer of venture capital unit. Managed all financial and administrative functions of venture operations. Responsible for internal reporting to Chairman and Advisory Board and external communications with limited partners
  • Price Waterhouse
    Tax Consultant
    Price Waterhouse 1986 - 1990
    Gb
    Advised clients on various aspects of corporate, partnership, and individual taxation, including financial analysis, projections, and transaction structuring. Planned and performed audit engagements

John Foster Skills

Strategic Partnerships Start Ups Strategy Business Development Entrepreneurship Business Strategy Mobile Devices Venture Capital Digital Media Corporate Development Mergers And Acquisitions Product Management Management Mobile Technology Strategic Planning Mobile Applications Telecommunications Mobile Content E Commerce Go To Market Strategy Product Marketing Leadership Mergers Cross Functional Team Leadership Mobile Mobile Internet Competitive Analysis Business Intelligence Mobile Commerce

John Foster Education Details

  • Stanford University Graduate School Of Business
    Stanford University Graduate School Of Business
    Mba
  • University Of California, Berkeley
    University Of California, Berkeley
    English

Frequently Asked Questions about John Foster

What company does John Foster work for?

John Foster works for Cloudsphere

What is John Foster's role at the current company?

John Foster's current role is Chief Executive Officer.

What is John Foster's email address?

John Foster's email address is jf****@****udo.com

What is John Foster's direct phone number?

John Foster's direct phone number is +165026*****

What schools did John Foster attend?

John Foster attended Stanford University Graduate School Of Business, University Of California, Berkeley.

What are some of John Foster's interests?

John Foster has interest in Sporting Clays, Flyfishing, Rugby, Surfing, Autocross, Guitars, Vintage Cars And Racing.

What skills is John Foster known for?

John Foster has skills like Strategic Partnerships, Start Ups, Strategy, Business Development, Entrepreneurship, Business Strategy, Mobile Devices, Venture Capital, Digital Media, Corporate Development, Mergers And Acquisitions, Product Management.

Free Chrome Extension

Find emails, phones & company data instantly

Find verified emails from LinkedIn profiles
Get direct phone numbers & mobile contacts
Access company data & employee information
Works directly on LinkedIn - no copy/paste needed
Get Chrome Extension - Free

Aero Online

Your AI prospecting assistant

Download 750 million emails and 100 million phone numbers

Access emails and phone numbers of over 750 million business users. Instantly download verified profiles using 20+ filters, including location, job title, company, function, and industry.