Rick Belluzzo on the Startup Opportunity

Richard "Rick" Belluzzo (born November 26, 1953) is an American businessman who worked as an executive at Hewlett-Packard (HP),

Silicon Graphics Silicon Graphics, Inc. (stylized as SiliconGraphics before 1999, later rebranded SGI, historically known as Silicon Graphics Computer Systems or SGCS) was an American high-performance computing manufacturer, producing computer hardware and soft ...

(SGI),

Microsoft Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational corporation, multinational technology company, technology corporation producing Software, computer software, consumer electronics, personal computers, and related services headquartered at th ...

(MS), Quantum Corp. (QTM), and

Viavi Solutions Viavi Solutions (stylized VIAVI Solutions), formerly part of JDS Uniphase Corporation (JDSU), is an American network test, measurement and assurance technology company based in Scottsdale, Arizona. The company manufactures testing and monitorin ...

(VIAV). He has served on the board of directors of several technology companies. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from

Golden Gate University Golden Gate University (GGU or Golden Gate) is a private university in San Francisco, California. Founded in 1901, GGU specializes in educating professionals through its schools of law, business, taxation, and accounting. The university offers s ...

. Belluzzo worked for HP for 23 years, with his last role being executive vice president of their computer division. He moved to SGI in January 1998, becoming chairman of the board and CEO, succeeding

Edward R. McCracken Ed McCracken was CEO of Silicon Graphics (SGI) from 1984 to 1997. Under his leadership, SGI grew from annual revenues of $5.4 million to $3.7 billion. Prior to leading Silicon Graphics, he spent 16 years as an executive with Hewlett-Packard. Mc ...

. During his time in the systems business, Belluzzo led both HP and SGI through the transition from proprietary systems to industry standard solutions. These actions were controversial at the time. In August 1999, Belluzzo left SGI to head Microsoft's

MSN MSN (meaning Microsoft Network) is a web portal and related collection of Internet services and apps for Windows and mobile devices, provided by Microsoft and launched on August 24, 1995, alongside the release of Windows 95. The Microsoft Net ...

division, and then the whole Consumer business, leading several emerging efforts, including the launch of the first

Xbox Xbox is a video gaming brand created and owned by Microsoft. The brand consists of five video game consoles, as well as applications (games), streaming services, an online service by the name of Xbox network, and the development arm by th ...

. In February 2001, he became president and chief operating officer of Microsoft, running the day-to-day business during the critical CEO transition from Bill Gates to Steve Ballmer. In September 2002, he was appointed CEO at Quantum Corp., where he managed the transformation from a Tape Drives to a Storage Systems Company, leader in Back-up, Recovery, and Archive solutions. In August 2015 he was appointed Interim CEO at Viavi Solutions, and led the completion of successful restructuring of

JDSU JDS Uniphase Corporation (JDSU) was an American company that designed and manufactured products for optical communications networks, communications test and measurement equipment, lasers, optical solutions for authentication and decorative applica ...

into two public companies. After leaving Quantum, Belluzzo began working with Italian Startups in both the US and Italy, becoming an investor in several companies. In 2017 he became a partner at Venture Capital firm Innogest Capital. In 2017 he was awarded the honor of Cavaliere Della Repubblica Italiana (Italian Knighthood) by the President of the Italian Republic.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Belluzzo, Richard American chief executives of manufacturing companies Living people Hewlett-Packard people Microsoft employees Silicon Graphics people 1953 births Golden Gate University alumni