*Special Podcast Interview with Alan Knitowski of Phunware

Alan is a successful serial entrepreneur with multiple exits over a fifteen-year period to companies including Cisco Systems, Level 3 Communications, and Internet Security Systems. Alan has also built and managed companies that have won both regional and national awards for growth. He was a 2014 Finalist for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of The Year Award for Central Texas and has been a founder, executive, angel investor and fund manager throughout his career in the private sector after serving in the United States Army as an airborne, air assault and ranger qualified captain in the corps of engineers.

Previously, Alan was President of Alternative Investments for Curo Capital LLC and Managing Director for Trymetris Capital Management LLC. In the past, he was a Co-Founder and Director of Telverse Communications, a next-generation advanced services ASP focused on wholesale communications services for carriers and service providers, which was acquired in July 2003 by Level 3 Communications.

Before this time, Alan was Director of Marketing for the Voice Technology Group at Cisco Systems and was responsible for business, market and community development, including business planning and strategy for Cisco’s global packet communications initiatives. In November 2000, Alan joined Cisco as part of the Vovida Networks acquisition, where he served as Co-Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer and led the company from idea conception through its eventual acquisition by Cisco.

Alan holds an MSIE degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology, an MBA degree from the University of California at Berkeley and a BSIE degree from The U. He lives in Austin, Texas, and serves on the President’s Council at the University of Miami (FL).

Randall is passionate about new venture creation and the innovative spirit that fuels entrepreneurs and advances technology. As an active investor and entrepreneur, he understands what it takes to successfully launch and grow new businesses. He regularly publishes articles and speaks on entrepreneurship, venture capital, healthcare and the rise of cryptocurrencies.

Randall is currently the Chief Operating Officer of Phunware, a technology company in Austin, TX developing mobile and data solutions for major brands and launching a unique cryptocurrency called PhunCoin. Prior to Phunware, Randall led over 40 angel investments and deployed over $60M across 14 companies as a venture capitalist. Randall is a co-founder and Managing Partner at TEXO Ventures where he focused on tech-enabled health services and he is the sole founder and Managing Partner at Novē Ventures where he focuses on companies leveraging blockchain technology. Prior to venture capital, he led the Central Texas Angel Network (CTAN) to becoming one of the most active angel networks in the country. Randall also founded and launched Texas Venture Labs (TVL) at UT in order to give the next generation of investors unique experiential learning opportunities outside of the classroom. Before getting involved in venture and entrepreneurship, Randall was a Captain in the United States Army and is both Airborne and Ranger qualified. He served over six years active duty and deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he was awarded two Bronze Stars for his actions during combat operations.

Randall holds a BS from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an MBA from the McCombs School of Business. He is also a Kauffman Fellow, member of the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC) and one of the leaders of The Crypto Watch, a group dedicated to helping others successfully learn about and invest in cryptocurrencies.