Chris Stern
Head and Managing Director at Trimble Ventures
Chris Stern
Head and Managing Director at Trimble Ventures
Orange County, California
Overview
Work Experience
Head and Managing Director
2021 - Current
Founding member and head of Trimble Ventures LLC, Trimble's corporate venture capital (CVC) business launched Aug 2021, supported by the $200M Trimble Ventures Fund, focused on investing in innovative early and growth stage companies that complement Trimble’s strategies and seek to transform the way the world works. As of 2024, our portfolio consists of 9 direct startups investments and 2 LP fund investments diversified across Trimble industries, innovation categories (AI, X/SaaS, robotics, autonomy, 3D), sustainability/SDGs and geographies. ventures.trimble.com
Corporate Vice President and Managing Director, Trimble Ventures and Partnerships
2021
Founded in 1978, Trimble is an early pioneer in the development of GPS technology and has grown to become a $3.6B+ global technology industry leader (NASD:TRMB, S&P500) offering digital solutions across the construction, agriculture, geospatial and transportation/mobility sectors. Responsible for leadership of Trimble's corporate venture capital (CVC), education and university engagement programs, and strategic partnerships that support and drive Trimble’s Connect and Scale platform strategy, sustainability initiatives, growth and innovation.
Board Member, Trimble Foundation Fund
2021
Trimble Foundation Fund is a donor advised fund that supports Trimble's purpose-driven mission and commitment towards sustainability and responsible corporate citizenship. Member of Disaster and Climate Resilience Committee with support for non-profits including Halo Trust, Engineers-Without-Borders, Red Cross, Team Rubicon and Water for People. foundation.trimble.com
VP, Strategy and Development (CEO/Founder of Acquired Firm)
2008 - 2021
Strategy, P&L/general management, corporate partnerships and M&A, strategic marketing. Leadership of Trimble's emerging business and vertical market development in energy/utilities and infrastructure markets, global corporate alliance with Esri, universities/education research and technology startup engagement. Responsible for growth and development of Trimble's solutions for asset and infrastructure owners, integration of Trimble AEC solutions, and for sourcing and executing key IoT, analytics and Cloud/SaaS alliances and acquisitions, including Cityworks (acquired 2019), a market leader in asset and infrastructure management software for utilities and local governments.
Member, Board of Regents
2018
The “University of Silicon Beach”. LMU is a top-ranked private research university in Los Angeles, and parent to Loyola Law School. www.lmu.edu/about/leadership/regents
Member, Industry Advisory Board, Samueli School
2015
Known as the birthplace of the Internet and 'Public Ivy' university, UCLA is ranked #1 as the best public university in the United States by US News & World Report 2023.
Board Member
2018
Non-profit working to solve ocean crises by unifying and empowering global communities through sharing and visualizing accurate information and solutions.
Advisory Board Member / CEO Advisor
2018 - 2021
Acquired by Suez in October 2018. Water/environmental analytics software. Investors include Suez (France), Emerald Technology Ventures (Switzerland).
CEO, Chairman and Founder
2000 - 2008
Acquired by Trimble, Inc. (NASD: TRMB) in November 2006. Founded and developed industry leading mobile mapping and workforce management software platform for utilities and municipalities.
Board Member, CFO and Co-Founder
2002 - 2006
Acquired by Konami Digital Entertainment (NYSE:KNM). Early pioneer in mobile gaming software and technology.
Technology Executive
1993 - 2000
Served in roles leading to head of research and technology in the water executive office at the largest municipally-owned utility in the United States with over 11,000 employees, $4B+ in annual revenue.
Education
Master of Science - MS
1994 - 1997
Bachelor of Science - BS
1989 - 1993