Dean Drako

Drako has founded two companies in the semiconductor industry. In 1992, Drako founded Design Acceleration Inc, selling it to Cadence Design Systems in 1999.EDN [https://www.edn.com/dai-reorganizes-for-next-stage-growth/ DAI Reorganizes for Next Stage Growth] 7.17.97EDN [https://www.edn.com/cadence-buy-boosts-system-on-chip-design-verification/ Cadence Buy Boosts System-On-Chip Design Verification] Feb 8, 1999 In 2003, he and Shiv Sikand founded IC Manage a design & IP management company.EETimes [https://www.eetimes.com/ic-design-management-goes-global/ IC design management goes global] 04.23.2007 Drako continues to serve as IC Manage's President and CEO.BizJournals [https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2012/09/17/ic-manages-ceo-moves-to-austin-will.html IC Manage's CEO moves to Austin, will run local office] September 17, 2012

Also in 2003, Drako founded Barracuda Networks and introduced their email spam and virus appliance product line.CTAN [http://centraltexasangelnetwork.com/january-2013-newsletter/ January 2013] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130825074115/http://centraltexasangelnetwork.com/january-2013-newsletter/ |date=2013-08-25 }}Deepchip: How Dean Drako's 1/2 billion dollar "side hobby" might change EDA [http://www.deepchip.com/items/0508-01.html August 2012] Other Barracuda product lines launched during Drako's tenure were: web filters,{{Cite web |last=Garvey |first=Martin J. |date=April 18, 2005 |title=Barracuda Rolls Out Spyware-Blocking Appliance |url=http://www.informationweek.com/barracuda-rolls-out-spyware-blocking-app/160902103 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912185828/http://www.informationweek.com/news/security/vulnerabilities/showArticle.jhtml |archive-date=2012-09-12 |access-date=June 12, 2024 |website=InformationWeek}} load balancers,IT & Security Portal [http://www.it-observer.com/barracuda-networks-launches-barracuda-load-balancer.html Barracuda Networks Launches Barracuda Load Balancer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323025200/http://www.it-observer.com/barracuda-networks-launches-barracuda-load-balancer.html |date=2010-03-23 }} email archiving,Reseller News [http://www.reseller.co.nz/article/477761/barracuda_gains_network_storage_foothold/ November 2007] and digital PBXs.Enterprise Networking Planet: Barracuda Launches CudaTel PBX [http://www.enterprisenetworkingplanet.com/unified_communications/Barracuda-Launches-CudaTel-PBX-3835486.htm August 2009]

Drako executed six acquisitions by Barracuda Networks: In 2007, NetContinuum, an application controller company;SCMagazine [http://www.scmagazine.com/barracuda-networks-buys-netcontinuum/article/35669/ Barracuda Networks buys NetContinuum] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150908004327/http://www.scmagazine.com/barracuda-networks-buys-netcontinuum/article/35669/ |date=2015-09-08 }} in 2008, BitLeap, a provider of cloud-based backup services,eweek [https://archive.today/20130903045409/http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/Email-Security-Vendor-Barracuda-Networks-Buys-into-Data-Backup-Business/ Barracuda Networks Buys into Data Backup Business] and 3SP, an SSL and VPN company;Eweek [http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Security/Barracuda-Networks-Breaks-Into-SSL-VPN-Space-for-Small-Business/ Barracuda Networks Breaks into SSL VPN Space] in 2009, Yosemite Technologies, for incremental backup of applications;PCWorld [http://www.pcworld.com/article/158462/article.html Backup Merger Unites Barracuda, Yosemite] a controlling interest in phion AG, an Austria-based public enterprise-class firewalls company,Silicon Valley Business Journal [http://sanjose.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2009/09/28/daily9.html Barracuda Networks takes controlling interest in Phion] and Purewire Inc, a software as a service (SaaS) cloud-based web filtering and security company.Atlanta Business Chronicle [http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2009/10/19/story7.html?ana=from_rss Barracuda buys Purewire Inc.] Drako contributed to or supported 16 different open source projects while running Barracuda including Valgrind, Apache, and the Free Software Foundation.Barracuda Open Source Community [http://www.barracuda.com/company/opensource Retrieved 2012] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140707103721/https://www.barracuda.com/company/opensource |date=2014-07-07 }}

Barracuda was ranked #2 by Glassdoor in 2011, with Drako receiving an 88% approval rating.Business Insider [https://www.businessinsider.com/the-best-tech-companies-to-work-for-2011-9#no-3-rackspace-is-the-scoble-sponsoring-web-hosting-company-thats-an-awesome-place-to-work-23 The 25 Best Tech Companies To Work For In 2011] Drako resigned from Barracuda Networks in July 2012 to found Eagle Eye Networks, while continuing to serve on Barracuda's board of directors until 2014.CRN [https://www.crn.com/news/security/300077110/former-barracuda-networks-ceo-acquires-cloud-access-control-company-for-50m.htm Former Barracuda Networks CEO Acquires Cloud Access Control Company For $50M] At the time of Drako’s resignation, Barracuda stated it was profitable, generating hundreds of millions in annual revenue, close to 30% year-over-year growth since inception, and had surpassed 150,000 customers.Bloomberg [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-03/barracuda-networks-gets-130-million-from-sequoia-francisco-1-.html October 2012]CRN [http://www.crn.com/news/security/240003782/barracuda-ceo-resigns.htm Barracuda CEO Resigns]

Drako left Barracuda Networks in July 2012 to found Eagle Eye Networks, a cloud-based video security company, serving as CEO. He officially launched Eagle Eye Networks in 2014, stating that his desire to found the company was driven by his frustration when trying to set up a video security system for a remote office while CEO of Barracuda; he wanted to make video surveillance more accessible and far easier to use by leveraging the cloud.The Wall Street Journal [https://blogs.wsj.com/venturecapital/2014/01/21/the-daily-startup-barracuda-networks-co-founder-launches-video-surveillance-startup/ Barracuda Networks Co-Founder Launches Video Surveillance Startup] Jan 2014MarketWatch [http://www.marketwatch.com/story/startup-puts-video-surveillance-in-the-cloud-2014-01-21 Startup puts video surveillance in the cloud] Jan 2014 Drako has been credited with establishing the concept of ‘true cloud’ in the physical security industry, emphasizing the differences between applications designed specifically for the cloud and legacy-design applications being run on a cloud-hosted virtual server.Security Info Watch [http://www.securityinfowatch.com/article/12368849/real-words-or-buzzwords-true-cloud-part-2 Real words or buzzwords? True Cloud] Sept 17, 2017

Drako initially financed Eagle Eye Networks himself, later raising multiple financing funding rounds: an undisclosed amount from Michael Dell in 2014, $40M series E in 2020, and $100 million Series F in 2023, with Drako continuing be the majority owner. Drako has stated that more recent funding was to accelerate the company's AI execution.Venture Beat [https://venturebeat.com/2014/07/31/michael-dell-is-funding-this-company-to-move-surveillance-cameras-onto-the-cloud/ Michael Dell is funding this company to move surveillance cameras onto the cloud] July 31, 2014BizJournals [https://www.bizjournals.com/austin/inno/stories/fundings/2020/10/28/eagle-eye-networks-raises-40m.html Surveillance startup Eagle Eye Networks raises $40M from Accel to expand AI applications] Oct 28, 2020TechCrunch [https://techcrunch.com/2023/05/17/eagle-eye-networks-and-brivo-raise-192m-in-a-joint-round-to-boost-cloud-security-business/ Eagle Eye Networks and Brivo raise $192M in a joint round to boost cloud security business.] May 17, 2023 Eagle Eye Networks ranked four times on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 list of fastest growing technology companies in North America (2019, 2020, 2021, and 2023).Austin Inno [https://www.americaninno.com/austin/inno-news/here-are-the-austin-companies-on-the-deloitte-fast-500-list/ Eagle Eye Networks Named Fastest Growing Video Surveillance Company by Deloitte] November 7, 2019Security Sales & Integration [https://www.securitysales.com/surveillance/eagle-eye-fastest-growing-video-surveillance/ Eagle Eye Networks Named Fastest Growing Video Surveillance Company by Deloitte] November 19, 2020Security Sales & Integration [https://www.securitysales.com/surveillance/eagle-eye-fastest-growing-video-surveillance/ Deloitte Names Eagle Eye Networks Fastest Growing Video Surveillance Company for 3rd Consecutive Year] November 23, 2021Deloitte [https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/us/Documents/technology-media-telecommunications/2023-fast-500-winners-list-v1.1.pdf Technology Fast 500 Rankings 2023] retrieved 7.17.24

Drako has acquired two physical security companies, Brivo and Cobalt AI, both of which he operates as separate entities from Eagle Eye Networks.Security Info Watch [https://www.securityinfowatch.com/access-identity/article/12082826/brivo-acquired-by-eagle-eye-networks-founder-dean-drako-for-50m Brivo acquired by Eagle Eye Networks Founder Dean Drako for $50M] June 11, 2015The Robot Report [https://www.therobotreport.com/investor-dean-drako-acquires-cobalt-robotics/ What’s Behind the Acquisition of Cobalt Robotics by Dean Drako] June 5, 2024 In 2015, Drako acquired cloud access control system provide Brivo for $50M and serves as Brivo's Chairman. In November 2022, Brivo closed long-term senior secured credit facility of $75 million with Runway Growth Capital.Security Sales & Integration [https://www.securitysales.com/news/brivo-75-million-credit-facility/ Brivo Receives $75M Credit Facility From Runway Growth Capital.] November 8, 2022 In 2023, Brivo raised $92M in financing, with Drako continuing to hold a majority share of the company.TechCrunch [https://techcrunch.com/2023/05/17/eagle-eye-networks-and-brivo-raise-192m-in-a-joint-round-to-boost-cloud-security-business/ Eagle Eye Networks and Brivo raise $192M in a joint round to boost cloud security business.] May 17, 2023

In June 2024, Drako acquired Cobalt AI, a provider of enterprise AI alarm filtering, remote monitoring and security robot solutions, for an undisclosed sum, where he also serves as chairman.

Drako is co-founder{{Cite web|url=http://www.drakomotors.com/leadership/|title=Leadership - Drako Motors Inc|language=en-US|access-date=2016-09-07|archive-date=2016-09-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911150934/http://www.drakomotors.com/leadership/|url-status=dead}} and CEO of Drako Motors, an automotive software platform provider, which on August 6, 2015 announced its first product, the Drako DriveOS, a single VCU (vehicle control unit) operating system which controls all four wheels independently.”Drako Motors Debuts Company and Introduces Drako DriveOS Platform for Electric Sports Cars”[http://globenewswire.com/news-release/2015/08/06/758592/10145067/en/Drako-Motors-Debuts-Company-and-Introduces-Drako-DriveOS-Platform-for-Electric-Sports-Cars.html] In June 2019, Drako Motors pre-announced their Drako GTE electric quad-motor supercar, claiming speeds of up to 206 MPH and 1200 horsepower.{{Cite web|url=https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/future-cars/a28118704/drako-gte-electric-supercar/|title=The Latest EV Startup Promises a 206-MPH Four-Seater With 6490 Lb-Ft of Torque|website=Road & Track|date=20 June 2019 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-25}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.autoblog.com/2019/06/20/drako-gte-electric-sports-car-the-quail/|title=Another EV startup is introducing a sports car with over 1,000 horsepower|website=Autoblog|language=en|access-date=2019-06-25}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2019/06/20/barracuda-dean-drako-electric-supercar.html|title=Barracuda Networks founder plans to unveil electric 'supercar' this summer|website=www.bizjournals.com|access-date=2019-06-25}}{{Cite web|url=https://driving.ca/auto-news/news/the-drako-gte-electric-supercar-allegedly-boasts-6491-lb-ft-of-torque|title=The Drako GTE electric supercar allegedly boasts 6,491 lb.-ft. of torque|date=2019-06-23|website=Driving|language=en|access-date=2019-06-25}} In August 2019, Drako Motors formally launched the all-electric production Drako GTE.Automobile Mag [https://www.automobilemag.com/news/automobiles-20-best-car-stories-of-2019/ Automobile's 20 Best Car Stories of the Year]Inside Evs [https://insideevs.com/news/367394/pebble-beach-lotus-karma-ev-reveal/ See All The Slick And Wild EVs Revealed In Pebble Beach.] In November 2022, Drako Motors launched the Drako Dragon all-electric luxury SUV, with 2,000 HP and 200+ mph maximum speed, quad motor powertrain, and two gullwing doors.Car and Driver [https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a41985587/drako-dragon-ev-suv-details/ $290,000 Drako Dragon EV SUV Packs 2000 Horsepower, Gullwing Doors. Retrieved Dec 28, 2022]MotorTrend [https://www.motortrend.com/news/drako-dragon-ev-suv-first-look-review/ 2,000-HP Drako Dragon Makes Case For Being Least-Hinged Electric SUV Ever. Retrieved Dec 28, 2022]

In 2015, Drako created the PermRecord Foundation with the stated purpose "to ensure the preservation of materials placed in its trust."{{cite web |url=http://990.erieri.com/EINS/473017917/473017917_2015_0dd57748.PDF |title=2015 IRS Form 990 for EIN 47-3017917, Permrecord Foundation |date=2016 |access-date=2022-10-24}} This foundation contracted out to a commercial company, Permrecord, Inc., also founded by Drako, for its programming services. By 2019 this mission had evolved "to preserve and provide perpetual access to the digital legacy of all people for the historical and educational benefit of future generations."{{cite web |url=http://990.erieri.com/EINS/473017917/473017917_2019_%20.pdf |title=2019 IRS Form 990 for EIN 47-3017917, PermRecord Foundation |date=2020 |access-date=2022-10-24}} The foundation claims public charity status, but its public support percentage is zero, and it is completely controlled by its sole member (Dean Drako). The foundation does not appear to have any perpetual means to accomplish its mission, subsisting on occasional grants from Drako. The foundation's [http://permanent.org website] hides its legal name and charity registration number under a "Brand Assets" page, but refers to itself under the DBA "Permanent Legacy Foundation".{{cite web |url=https://permanent.zohodesk.com/portal/en/kb/articles/brand-assets |title=Knowledge Base / Permanent Legacy Foundation / About Us / Brand Assets |date=2022-10-14 |access-date=2022-10-24}} Its home page promises "We invest your contributions into a nonprofit endowment" but there is no record of that endowment in its public accounting records.

Drako has been named a winner of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award twice: first, as CEO of Barracuda Networks (Northern California, Networking and Communications) in 2007,[https://eoyhof.ey.com/ Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Hall of Fame] and later as CEO of Eagle Eye Networks (Gulf South Region) in 2024.SP&T News: Dean Drako recognized with Entrepreneur Of The Year Gulf South Award [https://www.sptnews.ca/dean-drako-recognized-with-entrepreneur-of-the-year-gulf-south-award/ 2024-06-19] In 2014, Goldman Sachs included Drako in its list of the 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs.Security Systems News: Goldman Sachs names Eagle Eye Networks founder one of '100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs of 2014' [https://www.securitysystemsnews.com/article/goldman-sachs-names-eagle-eye-networks-founder-one-100-most-intriguing-entrepreneurs-2014 Oct 2014]

Drako has served on the University of Michigan Advisory Council since 2012[https://lab.engin.umich.edu/members/eac_bios_dean-drako/ Michigan Engineering Advisory Board members] and was the commencement speaker for University of Michigan Engineering School in 2016.[https://graduation.engin.umich.edu/general-information/speakers/ Commencement Speaker] University of Michigan Engineering graduation speakers. Retrieved 2024-07-16. In 2014, he was UC Berkeley's Engineering Week keynote speaker, where he discussed his five principles of entrepreneurship.Berkeley Engineering Channel [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfW0p0BnIgI Retrieved May 2014] He has also been an invited speaker for UC Berkeley's Richard Newton lecture series.Richard Newton Distinguish Lectures [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np9IoRAjAhY&t=1358s Retrieved July 16, 2024]

He was elected five times to the board of directors of the ESD Alliance, serving from 2012 to 2023.[https://www.eetimes.com/kathryn-kranen-elected-chair-of-eda-consortium/# Kathryn Kranen elected chair of EDA Consortium ] EETimes 2012-06-01Gale Academic: EDA Consortium Elects Officers and Board Members [https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA573601875&sid=sitemap&v=2.1&it=r&p=AONE&sw=w&userGroupName=anon%7Eaa8b050f&aty=open-web-entry 2014-06-09]EDA Cafe: Electronic System Design Alliance Elects Board of Directors to Two-Year Term [https://edacafe.com/nbc/articles/1/1429757/Electronic-System-Design-Alliance-Elects-Board-Directors-Two-Year-Term 2016-05-25]Semi: ESD Alliance Elects 10-Member Governing Council [https://www.semi.org/sites/semi.org/files/2020-10/ESD_Allliance_Governing_Council_News_Release.pdf 2019-05-08]3D in Cities: ESD Alliance Names 10-Member Governing Council to Two-Year Term [https://www.3dincites.com/2021/05/esd-alliance-names-10-member-governing-council-to-two-year-term/ 2021-05-20]

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Category:Living people

Category:American technology company founders

Category:Businesspeople in software

Category:University of Michigan College of Engineering alumni

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)

Category:American technology chief executives

Category:UC Berkeley College of Engineering alumni