John Waller

John is Okapi’s lead on the investment in Slingshot Aerospace. Prior to joining Okapi as a Partner in Okapi’s third fund, he co-founded such companies as Resume.com (acquired by Adecco S.A.) and 24/7 Real Media (NASDAQ: TFSM), and was CEO for X1 Technologies, Managing Director of New Ventures Group for Idealab, and Strategic Development and M&A for Mattel. He is also the founder and Managing Director of Green Thumb Ventures.

As an angel investor John has been an early advisor and investor in such companies as Urchin Software, Parchment, Pongalo, Dials, NowRX, DFJ Gotham, Orgoo, Live Planet, and others.

At Mattel, John was part of the Strategic Development, and M&A group, where he focused on strategy, technology integration and disruption, as well as the acquisition of technology companies.

From 2009 through 2011 John served as CEO of X1 Technologies where he led a complete restructuring & turn around. During his tenure, John spearheaded multi-million dollar software and patent licenses, created profitable verticals in the enterprise software business, and grew a robust consumer business.

From 2007 – 2009 John was running New Ventures at Idealab overseeing the creation, diligence, vetting, and managing new and existing ventures. An integral part of the management team, John was active participant at the board level of both the parent and operating companies.

In 1999, John co-founded Resume.com, and was its CEO and President. He built the company from a three person start up into a multi-million dollar business. In 2002, John sold the company to Adecco S.A., the largest staffing company in the world.

In 1994, John co-founded Interactive Imaginations, one of the first online ad networks. In 1998, Interactive Imaginations merged with two other companies to become 24/7 Media (NASDAQ: TFSM).

John began his career on Wall Street, joining Bull and Bear in New York City. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California and his MBA from the Anderson School at UCLA. He lives with his wife and 2 children in Pasadena, CA.