4thly believes in the power of innovation and entrepreneurship to create opportunity and solve some of the the world’s most pressing problems. Our Zoom-based accelerator program is designed to help entrepreneurs and innovators create success all over the globe. See more at 4thly.com

Founded and served as CEO for the first eight years, growing it from zero into a thriving global organization with five offices around the world. Tivix provides innovation engineering services. Client engagements have included Apple, Microsoft, the European Commission, BestEgg (FinTech platform that has originated over $4 billion), Zoetis ($6 billion pharma company), and more.

Grew Tivix into a global leader in Innovation Engineering with five offices around the world. Client engagements include BestEgg (FinTech platform that has originated over $4 billion), Zoetis ($6 billion pharma company), Apple, European Commission, and more.

World’s Largest Extreme Accelerator for digital innovations. 258 university students from around the world each took an idea to tech start-up in just 15 days, using curriculum developed by Google, UC Berkeley, The Tallin University of Technology, and Stanford University.

I teach entrepreneurship and innovation, including the Stanford Continuing Studies course BUS-217. In my work at Stanford I explore the factors that tend to drive the success or failure of startup ventures everywhere. Based on this work I've developed an eight-step process for entrepreneurs to use in efficiently moving a startup idea forward while mitigating risk and improving chances of success. My students have gone on to raise capital and scale ventures all over the world.

Miller Center runs the leading startup accelerator for social ventures. We have had over 1,000 social entrepreneurs go through our accelerator program and those entrepreneurs have gone on to raise over $750 million in capital and impact over 400 million lives around the world. Our mission is to accelerate entrepreneurship to end poverty and protect the planet, with a particular focus on women's economic empowerment as a direct path toward gender equality, poverty eradication, and inclusive economic growth. I am all-in on this organization - it is the most important place I spend my time.

Brought into a turnaround project for this organization (incorporated as a 501(c)3 at Stanford University). Cleaned-up the financial side, went through a full audit, restructured organization to align better with goals, helped the board recruit and hire a permanent replacement for the position.

Founded and ran venture-funded firm in Palo Alto offering a Software-as-a-Service application for rich media content management. Raised $7.5M in venture funding, assembled team, developed product, and steered company through the Silicon Valley downturn of 2001-03 through a combination of aggressive cost control, articulating a clear vision, and driving the top line hard. Orchestrated successful sale of company to a Kodak spin-off, eMotion (now OpenText, NASDAQ: OTEX).

Founded company to create innovation at the intersection of the internet, graphic arts, and publishing. Developed one of the earliest web-based software applications: a publishing workflow system used by leading Silicon Valley companies. Acquired in 1999 by Linotext America.

Bret Waters

Silicon Valley Guy