Cliff Boro

Born in Leominster, Mass., to Ira Michael and Margaret Nason Boro. He has a brother, Gregory. Boro attended the Dwight School, a private international school on Manhattan’s Upper West Side and graduated in 1988. Boro's later success led school officials to create the Cliff Boro Award. The school presents the award annually to students for innovative thought in science and technology.

Boro’s father supported and encouraged his son’s inquisitive nature. Boro said in a radio interview that he founded KidZui (March 2006) to provide children with a modern version of his father’s interest in him.{{cite news|last=Ballard|first=D|title=KidZui CEO Cliff Boro meets with Dave and Bill|url=http://thecyberhoodwatch.com/keeping-our-children-safe/kidzuis-ceo-cliff-boro-meets-dave-bill-cyberhood-watch-radio-chwrkids-discovering-internet-worries/|access-date=Feb 2, 2013|newspaper=CyberHood Watch|date=Dec 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234346/http://thecyberhoodwatch.com/keeping-our-children-safe/kidzuis-ceo-cliff-boro-meets-dave-bill-cyberhood-watch-radio-chwrkids-discovering-internet-worries/|archive-date=March 3, 2016|url-status=dead}}

Boro began working at Steinhardt Partners, Soros Fund Management and Berg Partners as a full-time Wall Street trader while still in high school. Boro attended New York University and Brandeis University in 1992 and 1993, but did not graduate.

Boro lives in San Diego, California, and owns property in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. He is a major Democratic supporter in the Treasure Coast area.{{cite news|last=Simmons|first=Jonathan|title=Romney outpaces Obama in May Treasure Coast contributions|url=http://m.tcpalm.com/news/2012/jul/08/romney-outpaces-obama-in-may-treasure-coast/|access-date=Feb 1, 2013|newspaper=Treasure Coast Palm|date=July 8, 2012}} He is an avid sailor and blogs at offacliff.com.

Boro founded Internet Financial Network in 1994, where he was CEO and board chairman. IFN merged with EntryPoint Technologies (formed when EntryPoint acquired PointCast) in 2001 to become Infogate, a real-time Internet proprietary financial news feed. AOL Time Warner bought Infogate in March 2003.

IFN was one of the first software platforms to deliver and archive EDGAR information via the Internet. IFN announced a three-year agreement with Smith Barney, Inc. in 1997, to provide Smith Barney's investment banking and research offices with EdgarWatch and Smart Edgar.{{cite news|title=NewsBreaks: The Weekly Digest|url=http://newsbreaks.infotoday.com/Digest/EDGAR-Online-Inc-to-Sponsor-Infogate-17674.asp|access-date=Feb 4, 2013|newspaper=Information Today|date=Jan 22, 2001}}

Infogate began operations in August 2001. As Infogate, the company developed into a real-time headline feed for public companies’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including IPO filings. Infogate moved from an ad revenue model to a subscription-based model in 2002, when it partnered with media companies such as CNN, USA Today and the Tribune Company.{{cite web|title=Company Overview of Infogate, Inc.|url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=106094|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121106110853/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=106094|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 6, 2012|publisher=Bloomberg Businessweek|access-date=Feb 4, 2013}}{{cite web|last=Spring|first=Tom|title=Infogate watches web, wires for whatever you want|url=http://pcworld.about.net/news/May222001id50624.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130413193212/http://pcworld.about.net/news/May222001id50624.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 13, 2013|publisher=PCWorld|access-date=Feb 1, 2013|date=May 22, 2001}}

CVT Ventures, LLC, is a Delaware corporation based in San Diego, California. CVT provided seed, early and mid-stage/expansion funding, supporting services and advice to emerging companies, such as VideoEgg (later Say Media), Luxology, which later merged with the Foundry, a UK-based company and {{proper name|mSnap}}, (acquired by Marketron).{{cite web|title=Luxology announces new board members|url=http://creativemac.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=27236&afterinter=true|publisher=Creative Mac|access-date=Feb 1, 2013|date=Aug 5, 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001022119/http://creativemac.digitalmedianet.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=27236&afterinter=true|archive-date=October 1, 2011|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Marketron acquires mSnap|url=http://www.marketron.com/news-092910.php|publisher=Marketron|access-date=Feb 4, 2013|date=Sep 29, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525162627/http://www.marketron.com/news-092910.php|archive-date=May 25, 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=CVT Ventures|url=http://www.privco.com/investores/venture-capital/cvt-ventures|publisher=Privo.com|access-date=Feb 4, 2013}} Through CVT, Boro became a member of their executive or advisory boards.{{cite web|last=Hopkinis|first=Mark|title=Cliff Boro's KidZui gets funded|url=http://mashable.com/2008/02/21/kidzui/|publisher=Mashable|access-date=Feb 1, 2013|date=Feb 21, 2008}}{{cite web|title=VideoEgg profile|url=http://www.juggle.com/videoegg|publisher=Juggle.com|access-date=Feb 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315014525/http://www.juggle.com/videoegg|archive-date=March 15, 2012|url-status=dead}} Luxology’s board chairman, Howard Morgan, vice chairman of Idealab and president and founder of the Arca Group, Inc., later invested in KidZui as part of First Round Capital.{{cite web|title=Company Overview of Arca Group|url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=5059245|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105044705/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=5059245|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 5, 2012|publisher=Bloomberg Businessweek|access-date=Feb 5, 2013}}

Boro cofounded KidZui (later Zui.com) in 2006 with Broadhead and Vignisson.{{cite web|last=Kuo|first=Benjamin|title=Interview with Cliff Boro, KidZui|url=http://www.socaltech.com/interview_with_cliff_boro__kidzui/s-0040042.html|publisher=SocalTech|access-date=Jan 30, 2013}} The company markets free and paid versions of its web browser and search engine for children, 3–12.{{cite web|title=Ahead of the Curve: Internet for Kids|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7Hys8u0u_c|work=ABC News|access-date=Feb 4, 2013}}{{cite web|last=Graveline|first=Dave|title=Into Tomorrow with Dave Gravelline|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHgZjjKHMRw|publisher=ittv|access-date=Feb 4, 2013}}{{cite journal|last=Shields|first=Mike|title=KidZui partners with Comcast|journal=Adweek|date=July 21, 2009|url=http://www.adweek.com/news/technology/kidzui-browser-partners-comcast-99909|access-date=Jan 31, 2013}} The browser and search works by accessing an extensive collection of sites, catalogued under the leadership of editor-in-chief Deanne Kells, former editor-in-chief at LeapFrog.{{cite web|last=Okwu|first=Michael|title=Today's Family: Keeping Children safe on the Internet|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR4KBEOGbBk|publisher=The Today Show|access-date=Feb 4, 2013}} It does not block or filter sites like other child-oriented Internet control programs.{{cite news|last=Mossberg|first=Walt|title=KidZui's parent plan lets children explore in a safe corner of the web|url=http://allthingsd.com/20080320/kidzuis-parent-plan-lets-children-explore-in-safe-corner-of-web/|work=Wall Street Journal|publisher=All Things Digital|access-date=Feb 4, 2013|date=March 20, 2008}}

Approximately 200 parents and teachers consult with the company to prescreen sites to permit children to access the Internet a safe, controlled manner. The browser provides a portal to 1.5 million pre-screened websites in 8,600 categories and millions of pages with age-appropriate content.{{cite web|last=Rasmussen|first=Rune H.|title=ZuiTube|url=http://www.kidsandmedia.co.uk/article/465|publisher=Kids and Media|access-date=Feb 3, 2013|date=April 10, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323133809/http://www.kidsandmedia.co.uk/article/465|archive-date=March 23, 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|last=Sutter|first=John D.|title=Designing an Internet for kids|url=http://articles.cnn.com/2009-08-17/tech/youtube.kids.zuitube.internet_1_youtube-kids-videos?_s=PM:TECH|publisher=CNN|access-date=Feb 2, 2013|date=Aug 17, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130301050552/http://articles.cnn.com/2009-08-17/tech/youtube.kids.zuitube.internet_1_youtube-kids-videos?_s=PM:TECH|archive-date=March 1, 2013|url-status=dead}} The downloadable browser and search engine further divides webpages, videos and pictures by age category. KidZui launched the patented browser in spring 2008.{{cite web|title=Patent application: Child-oriented computing system|url=http://www.faqs.org/patents/app/20080307339|publisher=US Patent Office|access-date=Jan 29, 2013}}

The privately held company received a total of $18.4 million in funding over several years from First Round Capital, Mission Ventures, Emergence Capital Partners, the Scholastic Corporation and Maveron.{{cite web|last=Cohen|first=David|title=iVillage, KidZui team up on 'Stuff Your Kids Love'|url=http://socialtimes.com/ivillage-kidzui-team-up-on-stuff-your-kids-love_b51436|publisher=Social Times.com|access-date=Feb 2, 2013|date=Dec 16, 2009}}

Under Boro’s leadership, Zui inked distribution partnerships with Comcast, Best Buy, DreamWorks and other companies.{{cite web|title=KidZui catches $2M, launches new services|url=http://www.socaltech.com/kidzui_catches__m_launches_new_service/s-0037467.html|publisher=socaltech.com|access-date=Jan 30, 2013|date=Aug 11, 2011}}{{cite news|last=Bigelow|first=Bruce V.|title=KidZui caps significant Progress in difficult year with $4M in fresh funding|url=http://www.xconomy.com/san-diego/2010/03/25/kidzui-caps-significant-progress-in-difficult-year-with-4m-in-fresh-funding/|newspaper=Xconomy|access-date=Jan 30, 2013|date=March 25, 2010}} Comcast offered a customized version to its subscribers. DreamWorks and KidZui integrated the lead character from the animated movie “How to Train Your Dragon” in DreamWorks’ social networking experience as part of an integrated sponsorship. Best Buy, the consumer electronics retailer, offers the KidZui browser as part of its software installation service.{{cite web|last=Wauters|first=Robin|title=Browser for kids maker KidZui scores $M, deals with Best Buy, DreamWorks|url=https://techcrunch.com/2010/03/23/browser-for-kids-maker-kidzui-scores-4m-deals-with-best-buy-dreamworks/|publisher=TechCrunch|access-date=Jan 30, 2013|date=March 23, 2010}}

Parenting magazines, social networks and blogs focused considerable attention on the browser. The company also created a KidZui extension to work on other browsers.{{cite web|title=Linux desktop gains kid-friendly browser|url=http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS8110332401.html|publisher=Linux|access-date=Feb 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130419042420/http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS8110332401.html|archive-date=April 19, 2013|url-status=dead}} Boro said in an interview, "Since launching in March, hundreds of thousands of kids and parents have seen the value in KidZui and have become active and engaged users. KidZui's Mozilla add-on now gives us the opportunity to connect with Mozilla's active community, giving them access to a safe social browser with just one click."

KidZui also launched a YouTube-style website, ZuiTube that features ZuiStars such as MattyB in an age-appropriate setting. In an interview with CNN Boro said, "The goal is to be both educational and entertaining, so KidZui has mapped out 8,600 channels of what kids are interested in, ranging from photosynthesis to Miley Cyrus. We relate all of those categories to each other so kids can independently and safely browse, search and share."

In 2011, KidZui became Zui.com, Inc. Saban Brands acquired the company in September 2012. Zui.com won Nappa Gold Winner (2008), the Children’s Technology Review Editor’s Choice Award (2009), the Parents Choice Award (2009), and the Wired Safety Best of the Web Award (2009).{{cite web|title=2009 Tweenangels Summit|url=http://tweenangels.org/events/summit/2009/09_pr.html|access-date=Feb 4, 2013}}

Boro and Broadhead cofounded The Team Group, LLC in October 2012. Boro is the managing partner of the San Diego–based firm, which has two divisions, Team Services and Team Ventures. Team Group personnel work closely with their clients to provide expert services and smaller scale financing. In addition, Team Group helps clients develop business strategies and raise additional capital. Instead of taking venture capital fees, all partners receive a salary from the services portion of the business.{{cite web|last=Bigelow|first=Bruce V.|title=Zui Founders Unveil Team Group, Offering Startup Services and Funding|url=http://www.exconomy.com/san-diego/2013/08/14/zui-founders-unveil-team-group-offering-startup-services-and-funding|work=Xconomy|date=14 August 2013|access-date=Oct 20, 2013}}

Team Services provides a financial and administrative services platform. The division manages personnel, accounting, finance and cash management tasks for nascent start-ups—web entrepreneurs that already have between $500,000 and $750,000 in seed or Series A funding and bootstrap entrepreneurs who have developed their enterprises into a cash flow position. The principle behind the services group allows young companies access to necessary administrative services without the burden of premature and ongoing payroll expense. Team Group’s services revenues help provide funds for the firm’s investment branch.

Team Ventures makes small, early stage investments, usually about $100,000, in emerging companies and provides advisory and support services for start-up founders. Jack Rivkin, a Wall Street investor and former head of CitiGroup’s Technology Venture Group, is one of several investors backing the firm’s venture capital division.

Boro is actively involved in a number of entrepreneur-support efforts, including forums and events. Boro is a mentor with the Founder Institute, an entrepreneurial education organization.{{cite web|title=Founder Institute|url=http://fi.co/mentors?target=Los+Angeles|publisher=fi.co|access-date=Jan 31, 2013}}

Through CVT Ventures, LLC, Boro is a former Luxology advisory board member and former board chairman at {{proper name|mSnap}} and VideoEgg (joining First Round Capital’s Howard Morgan, Dr. Adam Klein, former vice president and president of global marketing at Hasbro, Inc., and Stephen Mack, founder and president of Gnomist, Inc.).

In 2011, the Obama administration named Boro a 2011 Champion of Change for his innovative work in meeting technological challenges in the 21st century.{{Cite web |last=Rosenberg |first=Simon |date=Sep 15, 2011 |title=NDN welcomes 23 Champions of Change from southwest border region |url=http://ndn.org/blog/2011/09/ndn-welcomes-23-champions-change-us-mexico-border-region |access-date=Feb 2, 2013 |website=NDN.org}}{{Cite web |date=Feb 13, 2012 |title=Champions of Change |url=https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2012/02/13/empowering-children-explore-internet-safely |access-date=Feb 2, 2013 |website=whitehouse.gov |via=National Archives}}

In September 2013, the U.S. Patent Office granted a patent to Boro and Broadhead for their unique methods and systems for facilitating electronic commerce using a child-oriented computer network application. Boro, with Broadhead and others, also holds patents on child-oriented computing systems, child-oriented computer network applications, advertising and user feedback methods and systems.{{cite patent|country=US |number=2006242306A1|title=Child-oriented computing facilities|pubdate=2006-10-26}}{{cite patent |country=US |number=8543458B1|pubdate=2013-09-24|title= Methods and systems for facilitating electronic commerce using a child-oriented computer network application}}{{cite patent |country=WO |number=2008104003A2 |title=Child-Oriented computing system |pubdate=2008-08-28}}

{{Reflist|2}}

• Zui.com [http://www.kidzui.com/] (company website)
• CVT Ventures, LLC [http://www.cvtventures.com/] (company website)
• Offacliff.com [http://www.offacliff.com/] (personal blog)
• The Team Group, LLC [http://www.theteamgrp.com] (company website)

{{venture capital firms}}

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Category:1970 births

Category:Dwight School alumni

Category:Living people

Category:Private equity and venture capital investors

Category:21st-century American businesspeople