KAREN ORFORD

415-***-****

adcqgr@r.postjobfree.com

www.linkedin.com/in/karenorford

Seeking Co-Founder / COO role. Proven track record of business development success includes the build-out and successful exit of 3 start-ups (2009-Present) and running the Australian Government’s Innovation Program to launch Australia’s best technology start-ups in the U.S. (2014-2019). Extensive network of global contacts and relationships across multiple industries and sectors.

CORE BUSINESS OFFERING

Over 20 years of diversified, multi-industry experience, including education, online gaming, logistics, healthcare, fintech, payments and consumer app fields. Exceptionally confident and inspired leader who leverages business growth expertise, general management skills, and relationship building efforts to drive year-over-year successful results. Excel in both big-picture, visionary conception and boots-on-the-ground execution for start-up and established entities. Advanced skills in business plan, go-to-market strategy, and marketing/PR development.

Built a global reputation for pioneering innovation and passionate leadership. Unparalleled ability to build connections with others, achieve across-the-board consensus from leaders and team members, and remove obstacles to growth. World traveller with a deep understanding of a broad range of cultures, including strategies to penetrate difficult-to-enter global markets. Natural-born entrepreneur who is continually seeking the next new opportunity for technology product or service innovation.

SUMMARY OF SELECTED CAREER ACHIEVEMENTS

Advance.org – Designed and led Innovation Program that helped several startups gain traction in the U.S.

Voopes.com – Accelerated the growth, development, and investment of over 50 Australian companies.

eKidnaworld.com – Launched and grew an award-winning, pioneering company for the K-12 market.

Specialized Logistics – Grew the company to $35M and 100% net profit increase within 2 years.

Norse – Captured one of the Big 4 Australian banks as the company’s 1st-ever customer.

Britannica – Achieved 100% of customer acquisition targets.

Honors & Recognitions – Earned multiple awards and recognitions throughout career.

Media Appearances – Featured in numerous traditional and online media outlets.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILL AREAS

Start-Up Conception & Launch

Strategic Business Growth

Full P&L Accountability

Media & Public Relations

Marketing & Branding

Global Market Penetration

Customer Acquisition

Team Building & Leadership

International Expansion

Mergers & Acquisitions

Exit Strategy Execution

Strategic Partnerships

Public Speaking/Presentations

Budgeting & Forecasting

Legal & Compliance Matters

AR / VR / XR

Virtual Currency

App Discovery – Mobile

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Vikatron, Inc. – San Francisco, CA – 2018-Present

The world’s first scalable, digital, and decentralized proof of wallet to clear global transactions in real time.

Co-Founder

Serve as a consultant and advisor on all matters relating to the launch and growth of a start-up operation. Set up shareholder’s and founder’s agreements, instituted all legal functions, assisted with the patent process, and introduced fellow co-founder to personal global network as well as VCs.

Paved the way for beta testing of software product with a global Swedish conglomerate, as well as enabling fellow co-founder to gain a Board position with an Australian bank.

Advance.org – New York, NY – 2014-2019

Preeminent global community of 3.5M high-achieving Australians and alumni, w/ connections in 100+ countries.

Director of Business & Innovation Strategy

Hired to develop, direct, and deliver an Australian government-funded Innovation Program for launching Australia’s best start-ups into the U.S. market. Designed and oversaw all aspects of the 2-week annual program, including developing all content, creating and executing promotions, planning and coordinating talks (sourced all speakers), and hosting government dignitaries.

Designed and executed highly regarded Innovation Program that provided a continuous pipeline of success, including the following:

-35+ alumni companies with $5M+ valuations by the end of the program.

-22% of the alumni start-ups with $1M+ valuations (securing U.S. partnerships).

-14% of the participating companies raising VC funding.

-58% increase in interest from Australian investors.

Served as the key catalyst for connecting all parties involved in the program, including individuals, corporations, start-ups, and investors. Achieved the primary goal of helping expatriate Australian entrepreneurs raise funding, penetrate non-Australian markets, and establish business models.

-Built and leveraged extensive personal network to spearhead year-over-year success.

-Played critical role in the success of companies such as Sendle (raised $20M; opened U.S. office).

Voopes.com – San Francisco, CA – 2012-Present

Boutique agency providing Australian companies and entrepreneurs with expertise, resources, and global connections to help them build significant, sustainable organizations.

Founder & CEO

Direct all facets of a consulting firm, providing expertise and support to start-ups, scale-ups, and corporations. Services included but not limited to the following:

Review and editing of investor decks / U.S.-style pitch practice / Development of winning value propositions

Illustration of effective product demonstrations / Product demo and review / Small vs. large market selling

Building a valuable network / Developing paths for fundraiser and investor readiness / Legal structuring

Taxation / Immigration law / Intellectual property / Introductions to VCs, Silicon Valley, and global influencers

Accelerated the growth, development, and investment of 50+ Australian companies over the past 7+ years, enabling each organization to achieve global expansion objectives.

Earned multiple technology awards throughout this period, including: WIT Finalist: Outstanding Achievement in Technology, 2010; Interactive Media Award, 2011; and iAward: Innovative Use of Technology Media & Entertainment, 2010.

Co-founded the Australian Founders Network (AFN) and gained feature placement in multiple publications, including “Aussie Female Entrepreneurs Tips for Making It in Silicon Valley” (Collective Magazine, 2016).

Pay with Drop – San Francisco, CA – 2014-2016

Leading-edge B2B, white label, beacon-driven mobile payments consumer app.

Co-Founder & CEO

Co-launched the company (along with 2 former technology leaders from Visa) to provide a mobile payments solution leveraging Bluetooth technology.

Norse – San Francisco, CA – 2013-2015

Leading innovator of IT security and fraud prevention solutions.

Head of Business Development

Brought on board to leverage global connections in enabling growth for a start-up that enabled live, proactive security and anti-fraud solutions for websites, applications, e-commerce systems, and network devices.

Secured the company’s first customer (one of the Big 4 Australian banks) within a 12-week period, considered an unheard-of achievement within that timeframe.

eKidnaworld.com – Brisbane, Australia – 2009-2011

Specializing in an educational “Virtual World” online computer game offering for children.

Founder & CEO

Founded and directed all aspects of the company, leading a team of 35. Completed in-depth competitor analysis and feasibility studies; secured required financing. Created the overarching business plan, revenue model, and global go-to-market strategy. Sourced and managed technology team and platform development, including design, QA, and implementation of all ongoing content.

Secured $2M to $3M in free public relations for product launch and market entry, including 4 major news channels, 11 radio stations, 22 magazine/newspaper articles, and a Today Show appearance.

Negotiated acquisition from Astro TV (Asia’s largest media group) to use as their primary children’s game proposition for online, mobile, and IPTV platforms.

Moved production offshore to Manila, The Philippines to capitalize on lower costs and tax advantages. Grew the Manila studio from 5 to 35 employees in 2 years while reducing costs by 70%.

Launched and endorsed the national “Think U Know” cyber safety program in a joint effort with The Australian Federal Police and Microsoft Australia. Enabled in-site reporting of abuse mechanisms for children, providing a public service while driving traffic to the site.

Penetrated difficult-to-reach K-12 market via compelling promotional and sponsorship partnerships, including a global virtual learning company (Studywiz), leading teen periodicals (Pacific Magazines), holiday programs (Australia Zoo/Steve Irwin), in-store promotions (Westfield), and the world’s largest children’s game aggregating site (Miniclip).

Pursued and captured a large government R&D grant to develop and implement safety feature (“Mate Safety”). Additionally, created a crisis management plan to address hacking and other security issues, with results including successful prevention of raid from hacking group Anonymous.

Developed a PTA-endorsed fundraising arm for schools; leveraged social media, text messaging, and email as promotional tools for the schools and the company.

Led the company to win the “iAward,” representing the most prestigious award in the technology space. Additionally earned “Australian Technology Woman of the Year” award.

Specialized Logistics Australia – Queensland, Australia – 2007-2009

$35M logistics, warehousing, and distribution company.

Proprietor & CEO

Owned and directed all aspects of the company, leading a team of up to 42. Conducted in-depth management review and identified the need for extensive structural change at nearly all company levels. Established trust and credibility with management and staff members through illustrating benefits of best-in-class technologies, pragmatic management techniques, and an uncompromising focus on performance excellence.

Grew the company to $35M in annual revenues; enabled a successful exit within 2 years. Created and executed aggressive marketing campaigns that increased the customer base 3x in 2 years.

Achieved 100% net profit increase in 2 years by growing the operations/administrative team from 20 to 42 team members.

Led the integration of leading-edge tracking technology with strategic partners as well as introducing KPIs, new supply chain and B2B/B2C solutions, and other technology initiatives.

Ensured long-term stability for the company through renegotiating existing customer contracts and developing sustainable partner relationships.

Additional Positions:

Teaching Principal, Britannica English Academy – Directed instructional and administration team of 12 (mixture of Japanese and foreign teachers of spoken and written English). Oversaw K-12 curriculum development, global educational initiatives, budgeting and P&L projections, marketing, and recruitment of new students.

Director of Marketing & Business Development, Pathology Division, Macquarie Health Corporation – Led team of 5 in driving physician and patient acquisition for the Pathology division.

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

BA in Communications, Public Relations & Marketing – University of Canberra, Australia

Organizations – Australian Founders Network (AFN); The Digital Industry Association of Australia (AIMIA); Australian American Chamber of Commerce; Malaysian Australian Business Council; Mobile Monday; Women in Technology (WIT)

Honors & Awards – WIT Award – Outstanding Achievement in Technology; Interactive Media Award; iAward – Innovative Use of Technology Media & Entertainment

Publications – Aussie Female Entrepreneurs: “Tips For Making it in Silicon Valley”; No Startup Hipster: “Building Scalable Technology Companies”

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