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Darren Liccardo

Founder of Catapult Ventures

Los Altos, California

Overview 

Darren Liccardo is a seasoned professional with a background in hardtech venture capital and expertise in autonomous systems, embedded computing, AI, and robotics. He has held key roles at companies like DJI as VP of Engineering and Systems, and Tesla Motors as Director of Engineering for Autopilot, showcasing his leadership in cutting-edge technology development and innovation. Liccardo has made strategic investments in companies such as Urban Sky and Oculii, focusing on sectors like robotics, IoT, and AI in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Work Experience 

  • Cofounder and Managing Director

    2018 - Current

Investing at the forefront of Automation, Robotics, AI, and IoT

  • VP Engineering, Systems and Applications

    2015 - 2017

    Cofounded DJI's Silicon Valley outpost for R&D and business development.

  • Director, Engineering, Autopilot

    2014 - 2015

    Built the engineering team and technology for Autopilot and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems.

Tesla Motors is an electric vehicle and clean energy company that provides electric cars, solar, and renewable energy solutions.

Raised $19,374,213,101.00 from European Union, PennDOT, Australian Renewable Energy Agency and Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.

  • Technology Office USA

    2009 - 2014

    Technology Identification, Business Development, Research, Engineering Strategy. Founding member of the ADAS/Autonomous Driving efforts in the US.

  • Director of Software, Inertial Systems

    2003 - 2010

    Technical management, strategic planning, product R&D, business development.

Crossbow Technology manufactures and supplies wireless sensor networks and fibre optic inertial sensor systems.

Raised $13,020,000.00 from Intel Capital, Cisco, Morgenthaler Ventures and Paladin Capital Group.

  • Engineering Research

    1999 - 2000

    Formation flying space vehicle research. Built and demonstrated prototype CDMA ultrawide band time-of-flight ranging system for satellite navigation.

Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company specialized in advanced technology systems, products and services.

Raised $62,016,440.00 from Air Force Research Laboratory, United States Air Force, NYSERDA and NYSERDA.

  • Electrical Engineering

    1998 - 1998

    Investigated and documented failure analysis on consumer electronics.

With over 90 scientific and engineering disciplines, Exponent’s staff of approximately 900, located in 20 offices throughout the USA

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