Joel Carter Email & Phone Number

Venture Builder creates corporate innovation programs implementing the venture clienting model. That is, enterprise companies, or venture clients, purchase products and services from startups. The goal is to integrate the startups' innovative solutions into the venture client's business operations to gain a strategic advantage, accelerate speed-to-market, and create returns for investors. We design and operate accelerator programs which are an integral part of delivering for our corporate clients.

Pre-Seed Startups • Corporate Innovation • Product-Market Fit • Go-to-MarketFormer corporate intrapreneur and 5-time startup founder with 3 exits. Helping founders navigate funding and grow their startup.

Houston, Tx, Us

The $40M Softeq Venture Fund provides early-stage capital to the Softeq Venture Studio and also makes Seed Round and Series A investments. The Softeq Venture Studio is a pre-seed startup accelerator program that invests in early-stage tech companies. The program is hosted both virtually and in-person in Houston and has a portfolio of 64 companies to date. Softeq knows how to solve difficult technical challenges and has the experience necessary to build solutions that scale, de-risk early-stage investments, and help startups better serve alpha customers. Visit www.softeq.com/venture-fund

Houston, Tx, Us

Code is the language of technology innovation. Softeq facilitates early-stage breakthrough innovation supported by turn-key development and the highest level of expertise in embedded software, apps, and advanced web applications. We advise clients on digital transformation, create SaaS and HaaS programs, advise clients on digital business models, and disruptive go-to-market ideas. And we're very adept with hardware, too. An unusual combination that perfectly suits us to build connected devices in the age of digital transformation.

Houston, Texas, Us

BlinkFX is a leading provider of wearable and small specialty LED lights that are controlled wirelessly by industry standard DMX512 lighting controls. Powered by Softeq, a full-stack development company, BlinkFX benefits from deep experience in embedded software, mobile apps, advanced web applications, HaaS, and China hardware development. BlinkFX serves the music industry, corporate events, live shows, amusement venues, television production, and interactive experiences.

Purchase, Ny, Us

Truaxis, a Silicon Valley big data start-up acquired by MasterCard, provides dynamic, targeted, and value-driven SaaS digital marketing tools and ad targeting to both retail merchants and, ultimately, customers. Responsible for marketing and revenue generation for the Truaxis interactive digital transaction marketing platform serving retail chains in consumer electronics, toys, specialty retail, big box, home improvement and sporting goods vertical markets. Complex consultative selling role requiring in-depth knowledge of retail buying, selling and promotion. MasterCard Truaxis is a leading math and science technology company utilizing big data for targeted online digital marketing programs.

Greenville, Texas, Us

Responsible for brand creation, development, marketing strategy, user experience, customer success, revenue planning, SaaS, HaaS, sales channel management, retail marketing, e-commerce, product marketing, and marketing communications for three distinct business units for this global technology company serving the education, business, and mass consumer retail markets. Drove retail channel, e-commerce, SaaS, HaaS, CRM, catalog, curriculum, wholesale, and business development efforts. Directly responsible for creating two of the three core brands which represented over 80% of total revenue for this firm that grew from 12 people to over 175 with offices on three continents. Handled selling to major accounts, installed and managed sales staff, rep firms, and distributors globally. Responsible for electronics and software product development involving concept creation, rapid prototyping, PCB development, firmware, software, wireframes, proof of concept models, branding, naming, packaging, and significant time spent in Hong Kong and mainland China at contract manufacturing factories. Partnered with curriculum developers and drove adoption by schools globally. Helped found REC Foundation not-for-profit as a self-liquidating marketing program to reach and support schools.

Responsible for brand planning, and management of the RadioShack retail brand, outside brand ad agency, and portfolio of over 100 own private label brands representing over one billion in sales annually in CE products, electronic component parts, batteries, and accessories. Responsible for retail go-to-market plans and retail support for multiple product lines. Evaluated consumer insights, defined customer requirements, and drove product development teams to meet market opportunities. Significant interaction with retail field operations, buying team, China contract manufacturers, company-owned factories, engineering, and training staff. Responsible for channel planning for consumer, B2B, and B2E sales. Created and managed the licensing function and was responsible for intellectual property management.

Responsible for revenue generation, strategic planning, extended assortment planning, developing content alliances and creating sales-generating partnerships during the launch and expansion of this clicks to bricks division of RadioShack Corporation. Merged the assortment of RadioShack with that of Tech America to create one of the largest assortments of electronic components available online. RadioShack.com was set up as a separate corporation and partially funded with a $100 million equity investment from Microsoft.

New York, Ny, Us

Led team of consultative account mansgers serving different SBUs of the flagship GTE telecommunications account. Responsible for revenue generation and P&L management. Built TaaS and HaaS subscription services models, acquisition, and retention programs before these were common terms. Managed resources across O&M Dallas and New York offices to deliver complex integrated marketing communications solutions. Handled business-to-business and consumer responsibilities across ILEC, CLEC, SuperPages.com and other telecommunications business units.

Glostrup, Dk

Led the retail marketing team responsible for driving traffic and demand generation advertising programs in the US and Canada. Expert knowledge of brand-name end product, software, computer components, and bare-bones computing parts and accessories. Pioneered leasing and HaaS before these were popular terms. Turnaround team prepared the chain for sale to CompUSA.

Provided C-level marketing leadership for Tandy Corporation’s startup retail chain of 200,000 square foot category killer stores specializing in video, audio, music, movies, computers, small electronics, appliances, component parts, batteries and accessories. Managed outside advertising agency, in-house agency and field marketing organization with personnel in 15 markets. Grew the business to $1B in sales prior to sale of the chain to Fry's Electronics.

New York, New York, Us

Responsible for revenue generation, new business solicitation and account service teams devoted to high tech clients, retailers and new business generation. Launched first ever national cellular brand campaign for flagship client Cellular One. Helped develop early HaaS and TaaS sales models based on years of subscription service model experience before such terms were common. Handled Tandon Computer, Murata, and Tandy Corporation Incredible Universe accounts.

Irving, Texas, Us

Responsible for revenue generation, new business development, account management and program creation of database marketing efforts for IBM, Brinks Home Security, Pepsi, Taco Bell, Honda, Princess Cruises, and others. Worked on complex SaaS & HaaS sales and retention models for IBM and Brinks Home Security before the SaaS digital age. Experience creating direct response TV, radio, subscription & retention direct mail, and catalogs. Charter employee of new startup direct marketing division of TracyLocke that grew to 50+ personnel.

Dallas, Texas, Us

Served as an account executive for Manhattan-based clients Business Week, Sports Illustrated, Fortune, Time, and other magazine titles from McGraw Hill and Time-Life. A precursor to SaaS models, I built complex acquisition, renewal, and retention models for subscription services and products. Also managed QSR retail account, banking account and assisted with new business development. Cultivated an expertise in direct response TV, database, catalog and direct marketing. Responsible for revenue generation, billing and account administration.