Adam Ring, Global Head
Adam LG Ring is the Global Head of the IBM Z ScaleUp Program. With a double-major in Computing Science from the University of Technology, Sydney, and over 30 years of global digital experience, Adam is an expert in data privacy, developer relations, and entrepreneurship. Adam is passionate about TechForGood and SDGs, and he is a strong supporter of developers, education, diversity, and women in tech. He is on the Board of Advisors at Village Capital, and he is a VP at Ivy Plus European Leaders, an international think tank of alumni from top schools. He also mentors and advises several startups and organizations in various domains, such as edtech, healthtech, foodtech, proptech and more. He is a proud member of the Global Accelerator Network. His mission is to empower startups with the industry-leading security, data protection, and cryptographic services on IBM Cloud Hyper Protect Services, powered by the amazing IBM Z machines.
Seenu Suvarna, Tech Lead
Seenu Suvarna is a highly accomplished Technical Lead with IBM's Z ScaleUp Program, where he empowers startups and scaleups to harness the power of AI and IBM Hyper Protect Services. Seenu's career spans roles as a Software and Systems Engineer, where he brings an innovative approach to solving complex technical challenges. With a dedication to leveraging cutting-edge technology, Seenu excels in helping scaleups and IBM partners port their code to Z and capitalize on the AI capabilities of LinuxONE, enriching the Z Ecosystem of clients and partners. Seenu thrives on solving security and big data issues that lead to impactful solutions, driven by a passion for integrating existing programs and methods to save millions of dollars for companies.
Tucker Wilson, Skills Lead
Tucker Wilson has been with the IBM Z ScaleUp Program since 2022, beginning as a Developer Advocate before becoming the program's Skills Lead. Tucker, in addition to being an SME in cloud security with IBM Hyper Protect, is trained in technical communication and presentation. Tucker manages and often creates the training and scaling resources presented to scaleups in our program. Tucker studied Systems Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Virginia, where he developed the skills needed to aid scaleups on their journey today. Tucker is passionate about security, privacy, and well-built, principled architecture that protects users as much as owners. He assists the scaleups in our program build safer, faster, and more robust systems with the help of IBM Cloud technology.
IBM and Beyond
At the IBM Z ScaleUp Program, we rely on our strong network to provide the best possible experience to our startups and scaleups. Within IBM, we work with full-time experts and facilitators as well as SMEs (subject matter experts) from across the IBM Z ecosystem. We often collaborate with development and enablement teams for IBM Cloud, IBM Z, and IBM LinuxONE products and services to create custom builds for our scaleups. As companies progress further into their journey with IBM, we introduce them to opportunities to collaborate with marketing teams, consultants, and even other scaling programs throughout IBM's network.
However, we also provide value to our startups beyond IBM's catalog of options. Over the past 5 years of scaling up businesses, we have accrued a network of over 250 fast-paced startups and scaleups. We encourage all founders and developers in our companies to meet and collaborate throughout our program, and many of them help us improve our program long after their time as a cohort member. They go on to share their business and tech insights from our program with a larger audience, provide valuable feedback on IBM technology, and help us improve the quality of our internal enablement material. Without their efforts, we would not be the same global program we are today. A very special thanks our Circle of Advisors and official program Collaborators!
Our advisors are all founders, developers, investors, teachers, and experts within the global startup ecosystem. They have all given significant contribution, in one way or another, to the development and continued success of our program. Our advisors help us improve our program and cultivate a positive scaleup experience, and in some cases work directly with companies in our program to better help them build and scale. Each of our advisors deserves their own introduction, so please take a moment to read about all of them here. We truly would not be the same program without our advisors; a very special thank you to each of them!
Program Collaborators
We also collaborate with other organizations, from companies in our program to venture capital firms and industry networks, to draw in and enable cutting-edge startups in our program. These companies help us connect with new startup sub-networks, help us improve the program experience, and share their stories of success with IBM ZSUP. Most recently, 7 companies in our program were featured as key speakers at IBM Z Day 2024! Without these companies, our impact in the startup community would certainly be diminished. Thank you to our official Program Collaborators!
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