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The Colossal Spider Web of Akamai Alumni

Akamai is not only one of the pillar companies in the Boston tech scene, but it is also one of the most prominent companies to come out of the MIT ecosystem.

Akamai was founded in 1998 by MIT graduate student Daniel Lewin and MIT applied mathematics professor Tom Leighton. The company started to gain momentum by entering the MIT $50K competition (now $100K), where they were one of the finalists. A little more than a year later, Akamai went public and its stock saw a first-day bump of 458%.

Akamai faced tragedy as Lewin died during the September 11th attacks. Lewin is remembered as a pioneer during the early days of the Internet.

Today, this anchor company has a market cap of almost $12B and has been very active in terms of making acquisitions throughout the years.

It comes as no surprise that several of their alumni have gone on to start other companies or are part of the leadership team at other major tech companies. Below is a slideshow with many of them.

Colin Barry is a Staff Writer & Editor at VentureFizz. Follow him on Twitter @ColinKrash
 
Masthead image courtesy of Glassdoor.

Jonathan Seelig was a Co-Founder of Akamai. He later became a venture capitalist at Globespan Capital Partners and has been a board member at various Boston tech companies including Zipcar and recently Zagster. 

Jonathan Seelig was a Co-Founder of Akamai. He later became a venture capitalist at Globespan Capital Partners and has been a board member at various Boston tech companies including Zipcar and recently Zagster. 

Paul Sagan joined Akamai shortly after the company was founded and later became its CEO in 2005. He is now an Executive-In-Residence at General Catalyst and retains a board seat with Akamai.

Paul Sagan joined Akamai shortly after the company was founded and later became its CEO in 2005. He is now an Executive-In-Residence at General Catalyst and retains a board seat with Akamai.

David Kenny served as President of Akamai, and later went on to be the President and CEO of The Weather Company. Kenny is now SVP, Watson & Cloud Platform at IBM, which acquired The Weather Company in 2016.

David Kenny served as President of Akamai, and later went on to be the President and CEO of The Weather Company. Kenny is now SVP, Watson & Cloud Platform at IBM, which acquired The Weather Company in 2016.

Travis Kalanick is a Co-Founder and former CEO of Uber. Prior to that, Kalanick was the Founder and CEO of Red Swoosh, which was acquired by Akamai in 2007 for $15M. 

Travis Kalanick is a Co-Founder and former CEO of Uber. Prior to that, Kalanick was the Founder and CEO of Red Swoosh, which was acquired by Akamai in 2007 for $15M. 

Steve Papa was part of the original MIT $50K team, before founding and leading Endeca as its CEO.  Endeca was acquired by Oracle for $1.1B in 2011.  Papa is now Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO​ at Parallel Wireless and a very active member of the Boston tech community as an investor and board member.

Steve Papa was part of the original MIT $50K team, before founding and leading Endeca as its CEO.  Endeca was acquired by Oracle for $1.1B in 2011.  Papa is now Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO​ at Parallel Wireless and a very active member of the Boston tech community as an investor and board member.

Will Kofflel was a Senior Software Engineer at Akamai. Koffel later became a Co-Founder and CTO of Outlearn (acquired by Qwiklabs, then acquired by Google). He is now Head of Startup Programs, East at Google.

Will Kofflel was a Senior Software Engineer at Akamai. Koffel later became a Co-Founder and CTO of Outlearn (acquired by Qwiklabs, then acquired by Google). He is now Head of Startup Programs, East at Google.

Rich Kennelly held various VP level positions across multiple functions across the company with his last position being VP of the company's media business unit. Kennelly is now the CEO of Connotate.

Rich Kennelly held various VP level positions across multiple functions across the company with his last position being VP of the company's media business unit. Kennelly is now the CEO of Connotate.

Annie Bourne was the Director of Business Development and then Director of Product Management and Product Marketing at Akamai. Bourne managed the company's IPO; and closed our strategic deals with IBM, HP and others. Bourne is now an attorney, startup advisor, and novelist.

Annie Bourne was the Director of Business Development and then Director of Product Management and Product Marketing at Akamai. Bourne managed the company's IPO; and closed our strategic deals with IBM, HP and others. Bourne is now an attorney, startup advisor, and novelist.

Harald Prokop was Akamai's Senior Vice President and Chief Architect. Prokop is now the CTO of LevelUp.

Harald Prokop was Akamai's Senior Vice President and Chief Architect. Prokop is now the CTO of LevelUp.

Robert Hughes is the President at Everbridge.  He also serves on the Board of Directors of Quick Base and is an advisor to several technology companies. At Akamai, Hughes was the company's President, Worldwide Operations.

Robert Hughes is the President at Everbridge.  He also serves on the Board of Directors of Quick Base and is an advisor to several technology companies. At Akamai, Hughes was the company's President, Worldwide Operations.

Julia Austin joined the pre-IPO team at Akamai as their first Release Manager and later became VP of Engineering. After Akamai, she joined VMWare as VP of Innovation and then DigitalOcean as their CTO. Since then, she has remained active in the Boston tech scene as an angel investor, advisor, board member, and as a lecturer at Harvard Business School.

Julia Austin joined the pre-IPO team at Akamai as their first Release Manager and later became VP of Engineering. After Akamai, she joined VMWare as VP of Innovation and then DigitalOcean as their CTO. Since then, she has remained active in the Boston tech scene as an angel investor, advisor, board member, and as a lecturer at Harvard Business School.

Marion Odence-Ford was the Senior Counsel at Akamai during its early days. Now, she has remained a career working in various company's legal departments. Currently, she is the Vice President & Deputy Counsel at Decision Resources Group.

Marion Odence-Ford was the Senior Counsel at Akamai during its early days. Now, she has remained a career working in various company's legal departments. Currently, she is the Vice President & Deputy Counsel at Decision Resources Group.

Sumana Bhat was another member of the Akamai team during its early days as the Engineering Manager. Now, she is the SVP, Senior Technical Program Manager, Marketing & Insights Technology at Bank of America.

Sumana Bhat was another member of the Akamai team during its early days as the Engineering Manager. Now, she is the SVP, Senior Technical Program Manager, Marketing & Insights Technology at Bank of America.

Phil Harrell held various sales leadership roles, with his last one being VP of Channel Sales. Harrell is now at SiriusDecisions and an angel investor.

Phil Harrell held various sales leadership roles, with his last one being VP of Channel Sales. Harrell is now at SiriusDecisions and an angel investor.

Christian Klacko was a member of the founding team and was the Managing Director, International at Akamai. Now, Klacko is the President & COO at Micronotes.

Christian Klacko was a member of the founding team and was the Managing Director, International at Akamai. Now, Klacko is the President & COO at Micronotes.

Blake Dunkel was a Software Engineer at Akamai. He was the first hire at DraftKings as an Architect. He then went on to start his own company called Evolve, which was acquired by HubSpot, where he is now a Technical Lead.

Blake Dunkel was a Software Engineer at Akamai. He was the first hire at DraftKings as an Architect. He then went on to start his own company called Evolve, which was acquired by HubSpot, where he is now a Technical Lead.

Jeff Young is the Vice President of Corporate Communications at Everbridge. At Akamai, Young was its Vice President of Corporate Communications.

Jeff Young is the Vice President of Corporate Communications at Everbridge. At Akamai, Young was its Vice President of Corporate Communications.

Matt Kilmartin is the VP of Global Sales at Salesforce. At Akamai, Kilmartin was the Director of Sales, Advertising Decision Solutions.

Matt Kilmartin is the VP of Global Sales at Salesforce. At Akamai, Kilmartin was the Director of Sales, Advertising Decision Solutions.

Perry Stoll was the Senior Director, Engineering and Data Strategy, Advertising Decision Solution at Akamai. Stoll is now the VP of Product and Software of CyPhy Works.

Perry Stoll was the Senior Director, Engineering and Data Strategy, Advertising Decision Solution at Akamai. Stoll is now the VP of Product and Software of CyPhy Works.

Marcus Tgettis was the Senior Human Resources Business Partner: Engineering at Akamai. He is now the Vice President of Global Talent Strategy at Rapid7.

Marcus Tgettis was the Senior Human Resources Business Partner: Engineering at Akamai. He is now the Vice President of Global Talent Strategy at Rapid7.

Girish Bettadpur is the VP of Product at Acquia. At Akamai, Bettadpur was a Product Line Director.

Girish Bettadpur is the VP of Product at Acquia. At Akamai, Bettadpur was a Product Line Director.

Rebecca Murtagh is responsible for brand strategy and corporate communications at Zerto. At Akamai, Murtagh was the company's Vice President, Brand & Global Marketing.

Rebecca Murtagh is responsible for brand strategy and corporate communications at Zerto. At Akamai, Murtagh was the company's Vice President, Brand & Global Marketing.

Julie Bradley was Vice President of Finance at Akamai Technologies. Bradley went on to become the CFO at TripAdvisor. She is now a member of the board of directors at companies like  Wayfair and Blue Apron.

Julie Bradley was Vice President of Finance at Akamai Technologies. Bradley went on to become the CFO at TripAdvisor. She is now a member of the board of directors at companies like  Wayfair and Blue Apron.

Tiffany Mosher Taylor was the VP of Human Resources at Akamai. She is now the Chief People Officer at dataxu.

Tiffany Mosher Taylor was the VP of Human Resources at Akamai. She is now the Chief People Officer at dataxu.

Tricia Natale is the Vice President, Sales Operations at Lookout. At Akamai, she was the Director, Worldwide Sales Operations.

Tricia Natale is the Vice President, Sales Operations at Lookout. At Akamai, she was the Director, Worldwide Sales Operations.

Joe Dawe was Vice President - Business Operations & Applied Analytics at Akamai. He is now the Senior Vice President of Global Sales Operations at Skillsoft.

Joe Dawe was Vice President - Business Operations & Applied Analytics at Akamai. He is now the Senior Vice President of Global Sales Operations at Skillsoft.

Charles E. Leiserson was the Director of System Architecture at Akamai. He is now Associate Director and Chief Operating Officer at MIT CSAIL.

Charles E. Leiserson was the Director of System Architecture at Akamai. He is now Associate Director and Chief Operating Officer at MIT CSAIL.

James Carr was a Business Unit CFO - Web Experience & Services at Akamai. Now, Carr is the Chief Financial Officer at Imprivata.

James Carr was a Business Unit CFO - Web Experience & Services at Akamai. Now, Carr is the Chief Financial Officer at Imprivata.

Brad Rinklin was the CMO & SVP - Global Alliances at Akamai. Now, Rinklin is the CMO, Senior Managing Director at Eze Software.

Brad Rinklin was the CMO & SVP - Global Alliances at Akamai. Now, Rinklin is the CMO, Senior Managing Director at Eze Software.

At Akamai, Mark Minichiello was the Director of Employment and HR Operations. Minichiello is now the Chief Recruiting Officer at Everbridge.

At Akamai, Mark Minichiello was the Director of Employment and HR Operations. Minichiello is now the Chief Recruiting Officer at Everbridge.

JD Sherman was the Chief Financial Officer at Akamai. Sherman is now President and COO at HubSpot.

JD Sherman was the Chief Financial Officer at Akamai. Sherman is now President and COO at HubSpot.

Scott Landry was the VP, Global Customer Support at Akamai. Landry is a Vice President at Datto.

Scott Landry was the VP, Global Customer Support at Akamai. Landry is a Vice President at Datto.

Elena Grinev is the Chief Customer Officer at Customer Success Technologies. At Akamai, Grinev was part of the original team as the VP, Service Delivery. 

Elena Grinev is the Chief Customer Officer at Customer Success Technologies. At Akamai, Grinev was part of the original team as the VP, Service Delivery. 

Jason LaVoie was the Senior Director of Service Performance and Service Architecture at Akamai. Now, LaVoie is at Rue La La as the VP of Infrastructure.

Jason LaVoie was the Senior Director of Service Performance and Service Architecture at Akamai. Now, LaVoie is at Rue La La as the VP of Infrastructure.

Patrick Gilmore is currently the CTO at Markley Group and a Member Board Of Trustees, Secretary American Registry at Internet Numbers. At Akamai, Gilmore was the Chief Network Architect.

Patrick Gilmore is currently the CTO at Markley Group and a Member Board Of Trustees, Secretary American Registry at Internet Numbers. At Akamai, Gilmore was the Chief Network Architect.

Jeremy Segal was Vice President, Corporate Development at Akamai. Now, Segal is Vice President, Corporate Development at LogMeIn.

Jeremy Segal was Vice President, Corporate Development at Akamai. Now, Segal is Vice President, Corporate Development at LogMeIn.

Irwin Weiss was the Chief Information Officer at Akamai and is now VP, Information Technology at Carbonite.

Irwin Weiss was the Chief Information Officer at Akamai and is now VP, Information Technology at Carbonite.

At Akamai, Bryan Stevenson was a Senior Software Engineer. Stevenson is now the Chief Information Officer at Catalant.

At Akamai, Bryan Stevenson was a Senior Software Engineer. Stevenson is now the Chief Information Officer at Catalant.

Mithu Bhargava is the Senior Vice President - Global Commercial Presales at Dell EMC. At Akamai, Bhargava was the VP of Services.

Mithu Bhargava is the Senior Vice President - Global Commercial Presales at Dell EMC. At Akamai, Bhargava was the VP of Services.

Ravi Maira held several VP roles at Akamai, with his last one being Vice President, Industry Marketing. He is now Sr. Vice President, Products at Unbxd.

Ravi Maira held several VP roles at Akamai, with his last one being Vice President, Industry Marketing. He is now Sr. Vice President, Products at Unbxd.