John Zeisler

General Partner at Alicante Partners LP

Los Altos, California

Overview

Work Experience

  • General Partner

    2003 - Current

    In addition to direct investments, I help source new investment opportunities with local venture firms, and advise portfolio companies on new market opportunities. Areas of focus include: wireless, networks and security, payments and fintech, and consumer hardware and software.

  • Trustee, Community Board

    2011 - 2019

    Member of the Community Board of Trustees of Palo Alto Medical Foundation, a Sutter Health affiliate, and one of the largest multi-specialty medical practices in the US with over 1,300 physicians providing exceptional medical care to over 1 million patients in the SF bay area.

  • Trustee

    2010 - 2016

    Member of the Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee for Menlo School, a leading college prep school in Atherton, CA. Areas of focus include long range planning, digital learning and technology, global initiatives, and communications programs.

  • General Partner

    2000 - 2003

    I was a General Partner responsible for mobile technology investments for Nokia’s $500 million, global venture capital fund, now known as BlueRun Ventures. I led investments in eVoice (telco software/services company; acquired by AOL), Airgo Networks (80211.n components; acquired by Qualcomm), and Lightningcast (broadband streaming media ad network; acquired by AOL). I also participated in investments in wireless IP networking, 802.1x infrastructure and services, mobile telephony infrastructure, software, components and devices.

  • General Partner

    1996 - 2000

    InterWest Partners is a decades-old top quartile Sand Hill Road venture capital firm. I was a general partner responsible for Information Technology investments in software and Internet services, including web conferencing (PlaceWare; Acquired by Microsoft), digital imaging (Applied Science Fiction; acquired by Kodak), and business-to-business e-commerce (Live Capital). I also participated in investments in enhanced telephony services, carrier-class switching, optical networking, wireless infrastructure, and graphics semiconductors.

  • Senior VP Marketing

    1994 - 1996

    Netcom exploded on the scene to become the nation's leading ISP on the first wave of the internet boom. Netcom IPO'd in 1994 with 500,000 subscribers and $120mm in revenue. Netcom was acquired by Earthlink.

  • Chairman and CEO

    1992 - 1994

    Pensoft built applications for the first generation of tablet computers and personal communicators. Built on an advanced object-based database, Pensoft Perspective was awarded the coveted Byte Magazine Award of Distinction in 1992, and was licensed to AT&T EO as the underlying data engine in their products. The company was subsequently acquired by AT&T.

  • Co-founder and VP Marketing

    1987 - 1991

    We spun out Apple's application software business to form Claris. In just 4 years we grew from a back of envelope idea to become 4th largest application software company in the PC industry with $100 million in revenue. Apple re-acquired Claris in 1991. I ran the product management, marketing, and support organizations. It was a thrill to work with a world class management team led by Bill Campbell, including Donna Dubinsky, Yogen Dalal, Bruce Chizen, and Randy Komisar, and so many other talented individuals.

  • Marketing Director

    1980 - 1987

    Apple launched the Apple II in 1980 and finished the year as one of the fastest growing public companies ever, with $100 million in revenue. I joined in early 1980 as the first salesperson for New England. Later in California, I headed Sales Development, responsible for U.S. channel development, marketing, and growth. Subsequently, I co-led the sales and marketing team that launched the original Macintosh in 1984, and later ran Business Marketing, responsible for Macintosh in business. I left after 8 amazing years and $8 billon in sales to start Claris with Bill Campbell.

  • CEO

    1978 - 1980

    The Video Center was the first video specialty retail store in New England. We sold big screen televisions, video cameras, VCR and laser disc products to consumer, professional and industrial markets.

Relevant Websites