A View of the Importance and Capabilities of IIT in the Chicago Technology Ecosystem

 

Chris Gladwin
Founder and Vice Chairman of Cleversafe
http://www.cleversafe.com/company/leadership/management-team/chris-gladwin

Date and Location: Thursday, February 6th, 2014, 12:45pm - 1:45pm @ SB 111.

Abstract

Since its formation on the IIT campus, Cleversafe has grown to the second largest object storage systems provider and one of the most patenting companies per employee in the world.  Illinois Tech alumni and students form the largest group of the company's technical staff and demonstrate both the potential and importance of IIT in the Chicago technology ecosystem.

Biography

Chris Gladwin founded Cleversafe in 2004, bringing to the company the same innovative and entrepreneurial approach that has signified his executive leadership throughout his career. Chris, who was previously the creator of the first workgroup storage server at Zenith Data Systems and was a Manager of Corporate Storage Standards at Lockheed Martin, also created and managed a number of successful new technology start-ups, including MusicNow, which was acquired by Circuit City. Chris has been the creative force behind the development of the first Dispersed Storage system to solve the growing global problem of Big Data storage.

Chris Gladwin has created over 1,000 issued and pending patents related to Dispersed Storage technology. Cleversafe, inspired by Chris, continues to be one of the most patenting U.S. companies per employee.

Chris Gladwin holds a degree in Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  Chris is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Illinois Institute of Technology as well as the Board of Directors of the Museum of Broadcast Communications, SmartBet Charities, the Chicago Innovation Awards and the Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center.