Biography of Rob Dobson: A Visionary Entrepreneur and Tech Philanthropist
Biography of Rob Dobson:
Rob holds the position of chairman at Robotical
(robotical.io) and DevicePilot.com. In these roles, he oversees the direction
and operations of these companies, ensuring they are on track for success.
Additionally, Rob is the founding chairman of Singletrack.com, an organization
dedicated to outdoor sports. Aside from his business ventures, Rob is a patron
of the arts. He supports a unique orchestra, showing his dedication to
nurturing artistic endeavors and cultural enrichment.
Rob's Entrepreneurial Journey
Rob is a serial entrepreneur, technology investor, engineer,
and dedicated creator. His entrepreneurial journey began in 1991 when he
founded Actix in London. Actix specialized in algorithmic optimization for
mobile phone networks. Under Rob's leadership as CEO, Actix grew into a highly
profitable business, generating over £25 million in revenue. The company
expanded to employ 250 staff across 12 offices worldwide. Rob led Actix through
strategic acquisitions, including ComOpt in Sweden and RadioPlan in Germany. In
2005, Rob orchestrated a successful exit by selling a majority stake to PE
company Summit Partners for over $100 million, with a full exit to Amdocs.
Educational Journey
University of Southampton: Rob pursued a Bachelor of Science
degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Southampton from 1982
to 1985. He excelled academically, achieving a First-Class grade, demonstrating
his strong foundation in engineering principles and concepts.
Bolton School: Prior to university, Rob attended Bolton
School from 1972 to 1982. It was during these formative years that Rob laid the
groundwork for his future endeavors as a serial entrepreneur and investor. His
education at Bolton School provided him with a solid academic foundation and
fostered his passion for innovation and technology. As a testament to his
appreciation for his alma mater, Rob sponsors the Rob Dobson award for
Engineering at Bolton School, acknowledging the importance of recognizing and
nurturing young talent in the field of engineering.
Rob's Leadership Roles and career Path
Robotical: Rob has served as Chairman of Robotical since
December 2017. Robotical is known for Marty the Robot, which combines
real-world movement and dance with educational value, particularly in STEM
subjects. Rob emphasizes Marty's role in engaging learners who may not
typically gravitate toward STEM fields, providing resources for teachers,
after-school clubs, and parents to support learning through interactive
programming.
Wootzano: As Chairman of Wootzano since March 2022, Rob
oversees the development of fresh fruit packing robotics. Wootzano's innovative
touch-sensitive skin technology enhances robots' ability to perform real-world
tasks with human-like touch sensitivity, revolutionizing industries where delicate
handling is essential.
DevicePilot: Since July 2013, Rob has served as Chairman and
Co-founder of DevicePilot, a company focused on scaling the management of
Internet of Things (IoT) devices. DevicePilot's cloud-based management system
enables seamless management of various aspects of IoT devices, from batteries
to connections, facilitating efficient operations at scale.
Float Cash Flow Forecasting: Rob has been a Non-Executive
Director of Float Cash Flow Forecasting since September 2013. Float offers a
cash flow forecasting web application designed to assist small business owners
in managing their finances effectively. The platform integrates with bank and
tax information to provide accurate predictions and projections, helping businesses
avoid cash flow pitfalls.
QikServe: Rob has been an investor in QikServe since
December 2014. QikServe offers a convenient solution for ordering and paying at
tables, enhancing the dining experience for customers and streamlining
operations for businesses.
Biography of Rob Dobson: A Visionary Entrepreneur and Tech Philanthropist / Biography of Rob Dobson: / Investor Rob Dobson:
Adimo: Since September 2016, Rob has been an investor in
Adimo, a company that facilitates seamless integration of ad clicks into
customers' shopping carts, simplifying the online shopping experience and
leveling the playing field for major brands.
BondMason.com: Since June 2015, Rob has been an investor in
BondMason.com, providing access to hand-selected loans from approved
peer-to-peer investment platforms, contributing to a diversified investment
portfolio.
Research Space: Rob has been an investor in Research Space
since September 2013. Research Space offers a cloud-based, secure platform for
redefining scientists' lab notebooks, promoting collaboration and efficiency in
research endeavors.
Singletrack Systems: As Investor and Founding Chairman of
Singletrack Systems from July 2009 to July 2022, Rob played a pivotal role in
the company's growth as a leading provider of cloud-based CRM software for
financial capital markets.
Mallzee Insights: Rob was an investor in Mallzee Insights
from April 2014 to June 2022, supporting the company's mission to revolutionize
online shopping through innovative technologies.
Appsumer (Acquired by InMobi): Rob was an investor in
Appsumer from May 2017 to October 2021. Appsumer specialized in app analytics
and was acquired in 2021 after achieving significant success in the industry.
Alpha-i: As an investor in Alpha-i from July 2017 to
November 2018, Rob supported the company's use of machine learning to address
real-world challenges in various sectors.
Miituu: Rob served as Director of Miituu from January 2014
to August 2018, contributing to the development of a secure video platform for
engaging with staff, suppliers, and clients, promoting effective communication
and collaboration.
RadioOpt: As a Non-executive Director of RadioOpt from
October 2008 to October 2016, Rob provided guidance to the leading provider of
smartphone apps for mobile customer experience, which was later acquired by
Vodafone.
Southbank Sinfonia: Rob served as a Trustee of Southbank
Sinfonia from June 2007 to December 2015, supporting the organization's mission
to enable talented musicians to develop their skills and contribute to the
classical music community.
Actix: As Founder and CEO of Actix from October 1990 to August 2005, Rob built the company into an industry-leading supplier of wireless network management and optimization software. Under his leadership, Actix achieved significant revenue growth and international expansion before its successful acquisition.
Investing in Innovation
Rob's passion for innovation extended beyond his own
ventures. He made early investments in RadioOpt, Metrico Wireless, and
Singletrack, contributing to their success and eventual exits. These ventures focused
on mobile phone service assurance apps, mobile phone quality metrics, and
Capital Markets CRM, respectively. Rob's expertise as a board director played a
crucial role in guiding these companies to exits totaling over $25 million,
over $50 million, and over £50 million, respectively.
Supporting Scotland's Tech Ecosystem
Currently based in Edinburgh, Rob is actively involved in
Scotland's tech ecosystem as one of the most prolific independent angel
investors. He has invested in over 30 Scottish tech companies, supporting their
growth and development. Rob chairs Robotical, known for its educational robot
Marty, which promotes STEM education, and Wootzano, specializing in fruit
packing robotics. Additionally, Rob serves as a director of Float, a platform
offering business planning solutions for SMBs.
Recognition and Education
Rob's contributions to the technology sector have earned him
recognition, including the E&Y Technology Entrepreneur of the Year award
for London/South-East in 2005. He is also a fellow of the Institute of
Engineering and Technology (FIET). Rob holds a first-class honors degree in
Electronic Engineering, with a focus on Computing and Telecommunications, from
Southampton University. Growing up in Bolton and attending Bolton School, Rob remains
connected to his roots by sponsoring the Rob Dobson award for Engineering.
Rob Dobson: Angel Investor Overview
Rob Dobson is based in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, where he
actively engages in angel investing and contributes to the local tech
ecosystem. Among his notable investments is DevicePilot, a company he
co-founded in London, United Kingdom. DevicePilot focuses on providing scalable
management solutions for Internet of Things (IoT) devices.
Rob Dobson has diversified his investment portfolio across
various sectors and companies. Some notable investments include Mallzee,
Machines With Vision, and Prodsight, among others. Rob Dobson's investments
primarily target sectors such as Enterprise Applications, High Tech, and
several others. His strategic focus on these sectors reflects his interest in
cutting-edge technologies and solutions that drive innovation and efficiency.
While Rob Dobson's investments span across different
regions, the majority of his investments are concentrated in the United
Kingdom. This indicates his support for local startups and emerging tech
ventures within the UK. Rob Dobson has participated in multiple investment
rounds, demonstrating his commitment to supporting startups at various stages
of growth. His most recent investment was in Prodsight during the Seed Round on
November 19, 2019. Prodsight is a company specializing in customer feedback
analysis and insights.
Legacy:
Rob Dobson's legacy is that of an entrepreneurial visionary
and technology philanthropist whose keen insight and strategic leadership have
left an indelible mark on both the business world and the cultural landscape.
From his pioneering days as the founder and CEO of Actix, where he spearheaded
innovations in wireless network optimization, to his current roles as chairman
and investor in a diverse array of cutting-edge ventures spanning robotics, IoT
management, and customer feedback analysis, Dobson has consistently demonstrated
a commitment to pushing the boundaries of technological innovation. His
strategic acquisitions and successful exits underscore his astute business
acumen, while his patronage of the arts and support for young engineering
talent exemplify his dedication to fostering both technological advancement and
cultural enrichment. As an angel investor, Dobson's contributions to the UK
tech ecosystem have catalyzed the growth of numerous startups, reflecting his
passion for driving innovation and empowering the next generation of
entrepreneurs. Rob Dobson's enduring legacy lies in his transformative impact
on the intersection of technology, business, and culture, embodying the spirit
of innovation, leadership, and philanthropy.
Some companies where Rob Dobson invested
- Robotics – Automation
- Mallzee – clothing retail app
- Drinkly – service of alcoholic drinks
- Stampede – creative marketing and post production
- Prodsite – information technology company
- Metrico Wireless – delivering mobile device performance analytics
- Machine with vision - developing pioneering solutions for the rail sector
Timeline:
- 1991: Rob Dobson founds Actix, specializing in algorithmic optimization for mobile phone networks.
- 2005: Actix achieves a successful exit after being acquired by Summit Partners for over $100 million.
- 2013: Rob becomes Chairman and Co-founder of DevicePilot, focusing on IoT device management.
- 2017: Rob assumes the position of Chairman at Robotical, known for educational robot Marty.
- 2022: Rob becomes Chairman of Wootzano, overseeing development of fruit packing robotics with touch-sensitive skin technology.
