Bringing next generation innovations to build a better tomorrow.
One idea, one innovation, one change at a time.
OUR MISSION
We help cities, communities and business enterprises become smarter, safer, more responsive and resilient. We bring science, breakthrough strategies and disruptive innovations to help government and business organizations solve complex problems in new ways.
Meet our team
WHO ARE WE?
We are innovation catalysts working with a sense of urgency. We want to save lives, improve living standards, transform societies, and make a difference. We are at the forefront of the next wave of digital innovation and transformation.
We are innovators, technologists, engineers, researchers, futurists, strategists and dreamers on a mission.
We learn by doing. We improve by doing. We lead by doing.
Renil Paramel
Co-founder | CEO
Renil has over 20 years of management consulting experience on solving complex and strategic problems. With extensive experience in the Internet of Things (IoT) and technology strategy, portfolio management and strategic planning, M&A Technology Integration, and technology and risk assessment, Renil brings a proven history of consistently "moving the needle" for clients.
He is a trusted strategic advisor to C-level executives across Fortune 500 and public agencies in technology, finance, healthcare, retail and public sector. His clients include HP, Agilent Technologies, Sun Microsystems, Visa, American Express, Wells Fargo, Allianz, Berkshire Hathaway Homestate Companies, TD Bank, Chevron, Macy’s, PG&E, Kaiser Permanente, Counties of San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Solano.
Renil was most recently a Vice President of Consulting at Gartner Consulting. Prior to that, he has consulted at Accenture and Deloitte. In addition, Renil has successfully setting up a software development business unit with P&L responsibilities, and co-founded a multimedia startup.
Renil holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science from the University of Mumbai and an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh with focus on Marketing and Systems.
Benson Chan
Co-founder | COO
Benson has over 25 years of scaling innovative businesses and bringing innovations to market for Fortune 500 and start-up companies. With deep experience in strategy, business development, marketing, product management, engineering, and operations management, Benson uses a systems approach to consistently deliver results that matter for clients.
He is a recognized domain expert and thought leader in networking, cloud, enterprise IT, Internet of Things (IoT), innovation management, business model innovation, and go-to-market. Benson has held project, management and executive positions in innovation-driven organizations, including NASA, Hughes Aircraft Company, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Cisco and Pakedge.
Benson currently serves as the Chair of the U.S. Department of Commerce's IoT Advisory Board, and the co-chair of the CompTIA IoT Industry Advisory Council. He has previously served on the NIST GCTC Wireless, Smart Buildings, and Smart Regions Collaborative superclusters and was an industry mentor for the US Department of Energy’s Building Technology Office IMPEL program.
Benson holds a BS in Aeronautical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, a MS in Engineering from Purdue University and a MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Dr. Jonathan Reichental
Strategic Advisor
Jonathan is the founder of Human Future, a global business and technology advisory, investment, and education firm. Previous roles have included senior software engineering manager, director of technology innovation, and he has served as chief information officer at both O’Reilly Media and the City of Palo Alto, California.
In 2013 he was recognized as one of the 25 doers, dreamers, and drivers in government in America. In 2016, he was named a top influential CIO in the United States and in 2017, he was named one of the top 100 CIOs in the world. He has also won a best CIO in Silicon Valley award and a national IT leadership prize.
Reichental is a recognized global thought leader on a number of emerging trends including urban innovation, smart cities, sustainability, blockchain technology, data governance, the fourth industrial revolution, and digital transformation.
He holds several degrees including a Ph.D. in Information Systems. He is an adjunct professor in the School of Management at the University of San Francisco and instructs at several other universities. Reichental regularly creates online video courses for LinkedIn Learning.
He is a popular global keynote speaker and writer. He has written three books on the future of cities: Smart Cities for Dummies, Exploring Smart Cities Activity Book for Kids, and Exploring Cities Bedtime Rhymes.
Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn.
Craig Stark
Managing Director - Canada
Craig has over 30 years of Business Development with new technologies and bringing complex solutions to market from large to start-up sized companies. With deep experience in strategic partnerships, channel development, solution marketing, product and industry marketing, Craig uses an agile, collaborative approach of innovation management to build sustaining value for partners and clients.
He is an established “action leader” in applying “Smart Systems” in cloud, enterprise IT, Internet of Things (IoT), AI and Blockchain into emerging business models and supporting ecosystems. Craig has worked with early stage IP from Universities and CVC’s to M+A providing new gateways for commercialization.
Craig has held sales, management positions in technology organizations, including Microsoft, 3Com, Bell, eCommerce and Burroughs Corp.
Craig serves on the CIO Strategy Council (Data and Security Standards), The Conference Board of Canada (advisory on IP strategy) and as an industry partner for the Innovation, Science and Economic Development for the National IP Strategy council. He has also served several Regional Economic Development agencies and Technology advocacy groups, such as the Advanced Manufacturing Supercluster.
Craig is an Engineering Technologist, with a major in electronics systems and computer network communications from Sheridan College's Faculty of Applied Science and Technology in Toronto, Canada. Craig worked in all facets of Engineering, with roles in Design Labs, Field Engineering and Project Management.
Dr. Peter Williams
Partner
Peter has over 30 years of creating new innovative businesses for established companies and startups. He is a globally recognized expert in Smart Cities and Disaster Resilience with deep experience and knowledge in Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, the Internet of Things, Cloud and Mobile Computing, Peter brings a strong hands-on understanding of how these emerging and disruptive technologies can drive new business value.
Peter has served as the Chief Technology Officer for IBM's "Big Green Innovations" business unit, and led its smart cities and resilience business to water and energy utility clients. Peter is the co-author of the United Nations City Resilience Scorecard, which is now used by 60 cities globally, with a commitment by the 200 for another 200. Peter is a former IBM Distinguished Engineer. Peter is a mentor and advisor to various startups, venture capital firms and incubators.
Peter holds a Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Politics from the University of Bristol (UK), and a Ph.D from the School of Management, Bath University (UK).
Connect with Peter on LinkedIn.
Christopher Reberger
Partner
Christopher has over 30 years of financial and economic analysis experience from organizations such as Cisco and PA Consulting. He specializes in analyzing the strategic, social and economic impact of emerging and established digital technologies on cities and countries. Christopher also supports the introduction of digital technologies into markets through detailed statistical and quantitative analysis of market dynamics, technology competitive positions, and market entry strategies.
Christopher previously worked for Cisco systems for 12 years, spending the last 3 years in the Chairman’s office. Using publicly available information and benchmark databases Christopher quantified incremental costs and benefits for stakeholders as well as assessing GDP and employment impacts. Locations analyzed includes the cities of Dubai, Toronto, Copenhagen, Ottawa and Chicago and the countries of France, the United Kingdom and Italy.
Prior to joining Cisco, Christopher worked in London for PA Consulting Group developing business cases for new technologies. Much of this work was undertaken in support of debt placements by investment banks such as Goldman Sachs, Citigroup and ABN Amro.
Prior to working at PA Consulting Group, Christopher worked as a software engineer and management consultant in Australia, Sweden, and the Netherlands. He holds degrees in electrical engineering, business, and public administration from the University of Western Australia, the University of New South Wales and Harvard University.
Connect with Christopher on LinkedIn.
Our Guiding Principles
Be Trustworthy
We hold ourselves to the highest standards of professional and personal integrity. We are honest, open and direct in our interactions with each other, our partners and our clients. We treat people with respect and do our best to make them successful.
Embrace Diversity
We value diversity in people, thought, and execution. We use our differences to teach and learn to be better people and professionals. Our diversity is our greatest source of strength and pride, and enables us to consistently deliver the value that our clients expect.
Be Fearless
We are driven by a shared sense of purpose. We never back down from adversity and challenges. We are not afraid of failure, trying new things and thinking big. We learn and grow from mistakes and failures, and use that to become the best in everything that we do.
Think Big
Transformation start with big ideas and visions. We are not limited by what is possible, but by our limits of what we believe is possible. Innovation comes from doing what is possible, not from what we believe is possible.
Make a Difference
It starts with us. We have the power within each of us to change the world around us. We believe big changes come from doing little things well, over and over again. We come to work everyday believing and doing those things that lead us to a better tomorrow.
Question Everything
In a world where everything changes so fast, we assume nothing and never stop learning. We challenge assumptions and current thinking, ask the hard questions, verify data, and test hypotheses. We validate with experiments, data and proof of concepts.