Cleve Adams

Cleve Adams has an impressive and extensive background in the tech industry, particularly in building and selling high-tech companies. Here are some key points highlighting his achievements and expertise:

• M&A Exits: Cleve Adams has been involved in eight M&A exits, indicating his proficiency in building companies that attract acquisitions.
• Recognition as a Top Non-Technical Founder: Being named one of the Top 50 Non-Technical Founders in Tech Industry History is a notable accolade, emphasizing his business acumen and leadership skills.
• Co-Founder and CEO of Forbes #2 Most Promising Company: Cleve Adams played a crucial role in founding and leading a company that ranked as the second most promising in Forbes, showcasing his ability to steer companies toward success.
• Award-Winning VC/PE Backed CEO: With five awards as a VC/PE backed CEO, Cleve has demonstrated success in managing companies from pre-revenue stages to over $5 billion, delivering an impressive average return of 21x to investors.
• Leadership in Cybersecurity Software Market: Cleve has been instrumental in starting, building, and managing the largest company in the SaaS/Cloud Cybersecurity software market, taking it from pre-revenue to a $1.0 billion IPO. This company, now called Forcepoint, holds the title of the first Cybersecurity Unicorn.
• Experience Across Industries: With over 20 years of senior management, operations, sales, and marketing experience in Security software, AI, SaaS/Cloud, and Mobile security, Cleve Adams has a diverse skill set.
• Global Sales and Marketing Channel: Cleve has successfully built a sales and marketing channel with 1100 resellers and distributors in 82 countries, showcasing his ability to establish a strong global presence.
• Expertise in Raising Capital: Having raised over $300 million from tier one VC's for multiple companies, Cleve is skilled in securing capital for business growth.
• Role in Starting Websense: Cleve led the team that started security titan Websense, growing it from pre-revenue to a $1 billion IPO in less than 3 years, and later selling it to Raytheon for $2 billion.
• Industry Recognition and Speaking Engagements: Cleve has been honored to serve as a software industry expert and speaker at various conferences, universities, and corporations, including prestigious events like the Harvard Alumni Assoc, Amazon, Investor Conferences, Cyber Security, and Smart City Conferences. He has been featured in the Premier Cybersecurity book Cyberminds and the book Right Leader – Right Time.
• Co-Founder of Websense.