Edison Almeida
Member at AI Link
Boston, Massachusetts
Overview
Work Experience
Member
2024 - Current
Powered by Andrew Ng’s AI Fund, AI Link is an invitation-only community for the leaders of tomorrow’s great AI companies
Private Investor
2023
Transitioned to full-time private investor after working with founder/CEO on a successful 9-month $27M Series C fundraise at ConnectDER, closing on SVB's collapse Eve (Details at The Washington Post article "SVB Collapse could slow the transition to clean energy" https://lnkd.in/eH3EM_kn) Series C lead investors: Energy Innovation Capital (EIC - https://www.energyinnovationcapital.com/); LG Technology Ventures (https://www.lgtechventures.com/); Evergy Ventures (https://evergyventures.com/)
Chief Commercial Officer (CCO)
2022 - 2023
ConnectDER is a disruptive company with the potential to transform our multi-billion-dollar industry. Our proprietary plug-in electric meter collar adapter enables customers to electrify their homes for a fraction of the cost of alternative solutions. ConnectDER's innovation allows for a simple, 15-minute install, eliminating the need for complex and prohibitively expensive installations. As CCO, I am responsible for strategic business development, market intelligence, policy affairs, and corporate marketing.
ConnectDER is a solar technology company developing meter collars to connect distributed energy resources to the home and the grid.
Raised $80,300,000.00 from MassMutual Ventures, Avista Development, Zoma Capital, LG Technology Ventures, Evergy Ventures, Decarbonization Partners, Clean Energy Ventures and Energy Innovation Capital.
CEO, Board Director, Board Member, Shareholder
2011
Board Member & Shareholder 1/2018 to present CEO & Board Director 5/2011 to 12/2017 Helm cutting-edge energy demand management services company, providing innovative software system solutions for reducing energy costs. Restructure the company leadership and departments as the venture growth stage required new skillsets. Lead a staff of 10 employees and 20+ contractors, including offshore product manufacturing and software development. Implement financial controls, P&L management, forecasting, cash management, shareholders’ communication, human resources, and benefits to attract and retain employees. Represent the company with support staff at trade shows while hosting the company booth, initiating new business partnership opportunities. • Raised over $6M in equity financing and $12M in project financing. • Developed a go-to-market strategy that resulted in bookings of over $6M and annual revenue of $1.5M. • Deployed the company’s software service in 1,200 buildings on over 15,000 devices, resulting in annual savings of $6M for customers. • Negotiated complex multi-year contracts with Fortune 100 companies, including AT&T, Accenture, and Kohl’s. • Awarded patents for core technology in record 90-day first notice of allowance by the US patent office.
Business Incubation Leader
2019 - 2022
Schneider Electric Ventures supports innovation through funding, incubation, and partnerships. This $500 Million fund welcomes ideas from innovators and entrepreneurs eager to turn their bold vision into reality. The Business Incubation initiative identifies ideas with high-growth potential from employees, entrepreneurs, universities, and early-stage companies. Our team helps grow these ideas and turn them into new ventures. We provide support from multiple angles: building the founding team, providing market insights from customer and partners, articulating a business plan, and seed financing the new venture.
CEO
2009 - 2011
Dispensed leadership, organizational development, business planning, project management, and established business partners for a startup focused on integrating energy, social networks, and connected devices to promote energy efficiency and energy-environment sustainability. Filed for provisional patents based on field discoveries which led to the creation of “eCurv” to focus on discovered technology for business to business (B2B) customers. • Spearheaded pilot project with Babson College and Boston University utilizing connected power strips that measured detailed energy consumption. • Leveraged field discovery research into new revenue streams for future business development opportunities.
Account Executive
2007 - 2009
Represented VeriSign's full suite of digital services in information, cyber security, cyber-intelligence and communications. Sold digital services to Fortune 500 companies in several industries, securing new business while up-selling and cross-selling to clients. • Exceeded assigned quota objectives up to 160% annually, as a Top Sales Executive. • Established and maintained trusted relationships with C-level decision makers.
VeriSign Authentication Services provides network infrastructure, security and telecommunications services for companies and individuals.
Sales Manager
2006 - 2006
Executed full sales process including conducting needs analysis, prospecting leads, account planning development, qualifying opportunities, leading proposal an pursuit teams, and successfully closing on business as a top sales professional. • Closed six-figure new consulting contracts within five months, prior to company acquisition by VeriSign. • Initiated, developed, and nurtured new and existing accounts with Cingular, Verizon, and Sprint.
Sales Associate
2005 - 2005
Independently researched, identified and qualified prospective Tier I Wireless Operators' opportunity. Successfully presented this startup product to major Tier I prospective customer and initiated the sales cycle for a six-figure opportunity.
Vanu develops and delivers software radio access network solutions for the wireless infrastructure industry.
Raised $59,553,414.00 from Barry West, Andy Beard, Rose Park Advisors, Vanu Bose and Eastward Capital Partners.
Senior Consultant
2000 - 2004
I provided digital cellular network engineering consulting to AT&T, Cingular, Siemens and Ericsson. As engineering project manager for Cingular’s GSM overlay deployment, I successfully led a team of 12 engineers, forecasted project resources and developed cellular system growth logistics. I helped increase the team efficiency by automating tasks and focusing on core activities, which led to completion of a year-long cellular system design activity in one month. During the 2001 bust, I identified a new business opportunity on a $250,000 contract scope of work, increasing its value to $450,000, leading to the first month of profitability for the company at a period of historically low revenues. I participated in a Multi-Operator/Multi-Technology distributed antenna system (DAS) indoor wireless system for the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Las Vegas International Airport and several casinos. I also directed career performance reviews and assessments of 14 engineers.
Systems Engineer
1997 - 2000
As a telecommunications engineer, I designed analog and digital cellular networks that provided service to over 10 million people in Sao Paulo state, Brazil. I was responsible for optimizing these cellular networks to deliver top service quality performance.
Motorola exists to invent, build and deliver the best mobile devices on the planet, improving the lives of millions of people.
Education
Fellowship
2011 - 2011