Martin Tobias
Encyclopedia
Martin Tobias is a serial entrepreneur
and venture capitalist. He has invested in over 25 companies, starting 3 himself. From his beginnings as a programmer, Tobias has focused on applying technology to solve real world business problems.
, majoring in Marketing
with a background in Computer Science
.
After graduating college, Tobias went to work for Andersen Consulting (Accenture) from 1987-1991. There, he focused on computer programming, working primarily on developing Cobol
, System 38 , and AS/400 for various Fortune 500 companies. In 1989, Tobias consulted for Microsoft
, eventually leaving Andersen to work for Microsoft in 1991.
From 1991 to 1997, Tobias worked for Microsoft in the fields of IT system development, electronic software distribution, and international subsidiaries. While at Microsoft, Tobias helped developed Select 3.0, the first corporate volume licensing program and was also instrumental in Microsoft's early entry into electronic software distribution (ESD).
In 1997, Tobias left Microsoft, founding Loudeye Technologies Inc., which would grow to become one of the predominant providers of audio and video solutions for the Internet. Tobias led Loudeye to its public offering in March 2000 and soon after moved from CEO to Chairman. Loudeye formed partnerships with companies such as Microsoft
, Real Networks, NBC
, CBS
, AOL
, Universal
, Sony
, Warner Bros.
, and EMI
.
In August 2007, Imperium opened up its Grays Harbor refinery. With a capacity of 100 million barrels, the facility became the largest biofuel
refinery in the United States.
Tobias stepped down as Chairman and CEO of Imperium in January 2008, after the company's proposed $345 million initial public offering was canceled on the heels of poor financial results. A planned biofuels plant in Oahu, Hawai'i was canceled concurrently.
. Founded in October 2008, Kashless.org was one of the world's largest online marketplaces exclusively dealing with free items. The site finally shut down after running out of funding in 2010.
Tippr.com offers "accelerated deals” on goods, services and events in local markets.
Tippr LLC is owned by Kashless.org
.
In 2004, Tobias created an Angel organization, the Northwest Energy Angel Alliance, that supports regional entrepreneurs in the energy sector with investment capital, strategic advice and mentoring.
Martin also started a charitable organization, The Tobias Foundation.
Tobias has worked in the film industry, starring in the 1998 Harley-Davidson motorcycle documentary, Biker Dreams and was Executive Producer for the 2008 short-film, How To Enter A Bedroom.
He has also written opinion articles for Wired, Men's Health, Details, Newsweek, Time and The Wall Street Journal, as well as writes his own blog, deepgreencrystals.
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
and venture capitalist. He has invested in over 25 companies, starting 3 himself. From his beginnings as a programmer, Tobias has focused on applying technology to solve real world business problems.
Early years
From 1982 to 1987, Tobias attended Oregon State UniversityOregon State University
Oregon State University is a coeducational, public research university located in Corvallis, Oregon, United States. The university offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees and a multitude of research opportunities. There are more than 200 academic degree programs offered through the...
, majoring in Marketing
Marketing
Marketing is the process used to determine what products or services may be of interest to customers, and the strategy to use in sales, communications and business development. It generates the strategy that underlies sales techniques, business communication, and business developments...
with a background in Computer Science
Computer science
Computer science or computing science is the study of the theoretical foundations of information and computation and of practical techniques for their implementation and application in computer systems...
.
After graduating college, Tobias went to work for Andersen Consulting (Accenture) from 1987-1991. There, he focused on computer programming, working primarily on developing Cobol
COBOL
COBOL is one of the oldest programming languages. Its name is an acronym for COmmon Business-Oriented Language, defining its primary domain in business, finance, and administrative systems for companies and governments....
, System 38 , and AS/400 for various Fortune 500 companies. In 1989, Tobias consulted for Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
, eventually leaving Andersen to work for Microsoft in 1991.
From 1991 to 1997, Tobias worked for Microsoft in the fields of IT system development, electronic software distribution, and international subsidiaries. While at Microsoft, Tobias helped developed Select 3.0, the first corporate volume licensing program and was also instrumental in Microsoft's early entry into electronic software distribution (ESD).
In 1997, Tobias left Microsoft, founding Loudeye Technologies Inc., which would grow to become one of the predominant providers of audio and video solutions for the Internet. Tobias led Loudeye to its public offering in March 2000 and soon after moved from CEO to Chairman. Loudeye formed partnerships with companies such as Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
, Real Networks, NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
, CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
, AOL
AOL
AOL Inc. is an American global Internet services and media company. AOL is headquartered at 770 Broadway in New York. Founded in 1983 as Control Video Corporation, it has franchised its services to companies in several nations around the world or set up international versions of its services...
, Universal
Universal Studios
Universal Pictures , a subsidiary of NBCUniversal, is one of the six major movie studios....
, Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
, Warner Bros.
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc., also known as Warner Bros. Pictures or simply Warner Bros. , is an American producer of film and television entertainment.One of the major film studios, it is a subsidiary of Time Warner, with its headquarters in Burbank,...
, and EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
.
Ignition Partners
After Loudeye, Tobias joined Ignition Partners to pursue early stage technology investing. Martin was a venture partner in Bellevue, Washington-based venture capital firm Ignition Partners from 2001 until 2004, participating in a number of investments including Cloudmark, TerraNode, and IP Fabrics. Martin continues to serve on the board of Cloudmark Corp.Seattle Biofuel/Imperium Renewables
After many years focused solely on software, in mid-2004 Tobias refocused his efforts to towards renewable green industries. He decided to become an expert in renewable energy and clean-tech investing. From there, Tobias invested in a fledgling company called Seattle Biofuel in 2004. Becoming Chairman and CEO in May 2005, he changed the company name to Imperium Renewables in December 2005.In August 2007, Imperium opened up its Grays Harbor refinery. With a capacity of 100 million barrels, the facility became the largest biofuel
Biofuel
Biofuel is a type of fuel whose energy is derived from biological carbon fixation. Biofuels include fuels derived from biomass conversion, as well as solid biomass, liquid fuels and various biogases...
refinery in the United States.
Tobias stepped down as Chairman and CEO of Imperium in January 2008, after the company's proposed $345 million initial public offering was canceled on the heels of poor financial results. A planned biofuels plant in Oahu, Hawai'i was canceled concurrently.
Kashless
In early 2008, after many unsuccessful attempts at giving away unwanted items online, Martin Tobias came up with his latest project, Kashless.orgKashless.org
Kashless.org was a web-based marketplace where everything is free . Kashless provided a platform to find and redistribute any used or unwanted items, with the goal of reducing users' carbon footprint by consuming less...
. Founded in October 2008, Kashless.org was one of the world's largest online marketplaces exclusively dealing with free items. The site finally shut down after running out of funding in 2010.
Tippr.com
In February, 2010, Martin Tobias launched Tippr.com, a Seattle-based social commerce website.Tippr.com offers "accelerated deals” on goods, services and events in local markets.
Tippr LLC is owned by Kashless.org
Kashless.org
Kashless.org was a web-based marketplace where everything is free . Kashless provided a platform to find and redistribute any used or unwanted items, with the goal of reducing users' carbon footprint by consuming less...
.
Other Endeavors
Tobias is a special limited partner with Yaletown Ventures and Industry Ventures.In 2004, Tobias created an Angel organization, the Northwest Energy Angel Alliance, that supports regional entrepreneurs in the energy sector with investment capital, strategic advice and mentoring.
Martin also started a charitable organization, The Tobias Foundation.
Tobias has worked in the film industry, starring in the 1998 Harley-Davidson motorcycle documentary, Biker Dreams and was Executive Producer for the 2008 short-film, How To Enter A Bedroom.
He has also written opinion articles for Wired, Men's Health, Details, Newsweek, Time and The Wall Street Journal, as well as writes his own blog, deepgreencrystals.