Biography of Farzad Nazem : Strategic Angel Investments
Biography of Farzad Nazem :
Farzad (Zod) Nazem, after leaving Yahoo! in 2007, has become
well-known as a supportive investor and advisor for many tech startup
companies. He has backed over 60 new ventures, with a focus on Big Data, Cloud
platforms, as well as Health and Medical technologies.
Nazem didn't wait long to start working—he began his career
at just 13 years old. Despite his young age, he was determined to make his own way
and earn money for himself.
College Education:
Nazem's hard work paid off when he graduated from California
Polytechnic State University at the age of 19. He achieved this milestone with
a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, earning the highest honors
for his academic achievements.
Career Opportunity:
After graduating, Nazem caught the attention of Rolm
Corporation, a pioneering technology company. They recognized his talent and
offered him a position at their company, marking the beginning of his
professional career in the tech industry.
From September 1981 to December 1982, Nazem began his career as a
Software Engineer at ROLM Corporation, gaining valuable experience in software
development and engineering.
Nazem's Career Milestones
Joining Rolm Corporation:
Nazem embarked on his technical career at Rolm Corporation's
VLCBX Division, where he contributed to the development of large computer-based
telephone switches. His early work laid the foundation for his future endeavors
in the technology sector.
Transition to Sydis Inc.:
Recognizing Nazem's talent, he was recruited to join Sydis
Inc., a spin-off of Rolm Corporation. In this role as a senior engineer, Nazem
played a key part in positioning Sydis as a leading provider of hybrid
telephony and computer platforms during the early 1980s.
Venturing into Oracle Corporation:
In 1985, Nazem made a significant career move by joining
Oracle Corporation, a small pre-IPO company at the time. Over the course of a
decade, he collaborated closely with Oracle's CEO, Larry Ellison, on strategic
initiatives such as pioneering efforts to establish the "Information Super
Highway," aimed at revolutionizing consumer access to information and
entertainment.
1985 - 1996: Tenure at Oracle Corporation
From October 1985 to March 1996, Nazem served as Vice
President of the Web and Media Server Division at Oracle Corporation. His
leadership contributed to the company's expansion and success in the technology
sector.
Yahoo! Recruitment and Growth:
In 1996, Nazem was recruited by Yahoo!, then a fledgling
company less than a year old. Tasked with building the engineering
organization, overseeing site operations, and completing the executive team,
Nazem played a pivotal role in preparing Yahoo! for its public debut. This
marked a transformative period for Yahoo! as it evolved from an internet
directory to a major player in the search engine industry under Nazem's
leadership.
From March 1996 to June 2007, Nazem held the position of
Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Executive Vice President (EVP) at Yahoo!.
During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in shaping the company's
technological direction and overseeing its growth into a leading internet
services provider.
Nazem's Impact at Yahoo!
Driving Yahoo!'s Growth:
Under Nazem's leadership, Yahoo! experienced remarkable
expansion, solidifying its position as an internet giant. Nazem spearheaded
initiatives that set Yahoo! apart from competitors, including the development
of a highly scalable infrastructure using small servers and the adoption of the
FreeBSD operating system. This approach not only improved reliability but also
led to industry-leading profit margins, contributing to Yahoo!'s rapid growth.
Email Market Dominance:
In 1997, Yahoo! ventured into the competitive email market,
quickly attracting millions of users and establishing itself as the most
popular mail server. Nazem's strategic vision and decisive actions enabled
Yahoo! to swiftly capture a significant share of the email market, enhancing
its position as a leading internet service provider.
Innovations in Web Portal:
Nazem played a pivotal role in transforming Yahoo! into a
comprehensive web portal and pioneering personalized web experiences through
initiatives like My Yahoo. By introducing innovative features and services,
Nazem ensured that Yahoo! remained at the forefront of delivering tailored
online experiences to users.
Strategic Acquisitions:
Nazem oversaw more than 50 strategic acquisitions during his
tenure at Yahoo!, strategically building out the company's portfolio of
services. These acquisitions, primarily of technology companies, enabled Yahoo!
to expand its offerings and enhance its competitiveness in the ever-evolving
digital landscape.
Surviving the Internet Bubble Burst:
Due to Nazem's dedication to innovation and effective
leadership, Yahoo! emerged as one of the few companies to withstand the
internet bubble burst of 2000 and 2001. Alongside eBay and Amazon.com, Yahoo!
was recognized as one of the "3 horsemen of the Internet," with
Nazem's steadfast leadership providing stability and continuity during a
challenging period of transition.
Nazem's Legacy Beyond Yahoo!
Retirement Announcement:
Nazem's retirement from day-to-day operations at Yahoo! was
marked by an official statement on the company's corporate blog, Yodel
Anecdotal. Expressing gratitude for his 26-year journey in the technology
industry, Nazem reflected on his unexpected trajectory from joining startups
like Oracle to witnessing Yahoo!'s remarkable growth. He highlighted Yahoo!'s
significant contributions to shaping the internet and expressed pride in being
part of its success.
Continued Influence and Mentorship:
Even after retiring from Yahoo!, Nazem's commitment to the
technical community persisted. He became a mentor to numerous Yahoo! alumni,
guiding them as they embarked on their entrepreneurial journeys. Nazem's
influence extended beyond Yahoo!, as he dedicated his time to coaching
entrepreneurs on various aspects of business development, including technical
architecture, market strategy, fundraising, talent development, and mergers and
acquisitions.
Investment Ventures:
Since 2010, Nazem has been actively involved in investing in
technology-driven companies, focusing on areas such as big data, cloud
computing, health, and medical technology. His investment portfolio has seen
significant success, with several companies experiencing successful exits
through acquisitions by prominent tech giants like Google, Yahoo!, Apigee,
Twitter, and Cisco. Nazem's strategic investments have contributed to the
growth and innovation of numerous startups in the tech industry.
Advisory Roles with Apixio and NextBio
From January 2011 to December 2014, Nazem served as both a
board member and advisor at Apixio, a healthcare analytics company. His
strategic insights and guidance contributed to the company's growth and success
in the healthcare industry. Similarly, from February 2011 to October 2013, he
served as a board member and advisor at NextBio, a bioinformatics company
acquired by Illumina.
Philanthropic Initiatives:
In 2003, Nazem and his wife, Noosheen Hashemi, established
The HAND Foundation, a private family foundation dedicated to philanthropy.
Nazem actively serves on the board of directors of this foundation, which
focuses on supporting various charitable causes and initiatives.
Biography of Farzad Nazem : Strategic Angel Investments
Angel Investing with HAND Capital LLC
Since 2009, Zod Nazem has been actively involved in angel
investing as part of HAND Capital LLC, based in Palo Alto, CA. Over the years,
he has invested in over 115 startups, providing crucial support from their
early seed rounds to significant milestones like IPOs and successful exits.
Notable investments include Guardant Health, Zoom.us, and Adaptive
Biotechnologies, showcasing his ability to identify and nurture promising
ventures.
Contribution to Education with The Nueva School
From 2011 to May 2020, Nazem served as a member of the Board
of Trustees at The Nueva School, a renowned educational institution. During his
tenure, he played a vital role in guiding the school's strategic initiatives
and ensuring its continued growth and success in providing innovative education
solutions.
Board Memberships and Strategic Advisory Roles
In July 2017, Nazem joined Nautilus Biotechnology as a board
member, bringing his expertise to guide the company's growth and strategic
direction in the field of biotechnology. In June 2019, he expanded his board
roles by joining Skydance, a prominent entertainment company based in Los
Angeles, California. Additionally, since April 2017, he has been serving as a
strategic advisor and investor at January, Inc., contributing to shaping the
company's trajectory and market success.
Farzad Nazem's Diverse Roles
Farzad Nazem has different jobs in different companies. He
advises SignalFire and Arrcus, helping them with important decisions. He's also
on the board of Nautilus Biotechnology, where he helps with big choices about
the company's future. At January AI, he gives advice as a Strategic Advisor,
helping them plan their next steps.
Personal Life:
Nazem, along with his wife and two children, resides in the
San Francisco Bay Area, where they have made their home. This underscores his
dedication to family life and his connection to the local community.
Innovative Contributions:
Nazem's expertise extends to the field of information
technology, where he has made significant contributions through patent
development. Currently holding five patents in this area, Nazem's innovative
work reflects his ongoing commitment to advancing technology and its
applications.
Some companies where Farzad Nazem invested
- Arrcus - Business/Productivity Software
- Gen1E Lifescience - Drug Discovery
- January - Healthcare Services
- Trackonomy - Business/Productivity Software
- Zenda - Financial Software
- Atomwise - Drug Discovery
- Ceevra - Decision/Risk Analysis
- Persephone bioscience - Drug Discovery
- Tigergraph - Database Software
- BioAge - Drug Discovery
- Amitree – AI-powered email assistant
- Zenda – fintech app
- Prodea – real estate investment company
- Arterys - medical imaging AI platform
- Rigetti Computing - develops a cloud platform
- Ginkgo Bioworks - biotech company
Timeline
1970s-1980s:
Nazem begins his
career journey, demonstrating ambition and determination from a young age.
1981-1996:
Nazem advances through roles at Rolm Corporation, Sydis
Inc., and Oracle Corporation, gaining expertise in software engineering and
telephony platforms.
1996-2007:
Nazem joins Yahoo! and leads transformative initiatives that
propel the company to become a global internet powerhouse.
2007-Present:
After retiring from
Yahoo!, Nazem continues to make significant contributions to the tech community
through mentorship, investment in startups, and philanthropic endeavors.
2010s-Present:
Nazem expands his
involvement in diverse ventures and investments, shaping the future of
technology and other industries.
