Christopher Harmon

Christopher Harmon

The visionary behind KWAD, Chris takes good ideas and makes them great. He has engaged with over 50 start-ups to accelerate growth: Success Factors, Eloqua, Marketo, Lending Club, Callidus, Demandbase, etc. This is his first product start-up.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/cjharmon
Oakland, California, United States
Member since March 16, 2015
  • About
Investor interests
Locations of interest
Credentials None
Education
2012 Stanford Graduate School of Business Strategic Marketing Management
1995 UC Davis , BA , English Literature

I am a(n):

Entrepreneur

Companies I've founded or co-founded:
theBATstudio
Achievements (products built, personal awards won):

Chris is a sought after speaker and advisor on digital marketing strategy. He has engaged with many of the world's most recognized consumer and technology brands. Though this is his first product start-up, he has founded multiple service firms, played key roles in two agencies that were acquired by public companies, and has had his work recognized in nearly every agency publication or competition.

If you're an entrepreneur or corporate innovator, why?

I want to change the world.

My favorite startups:

SuccessFactors, Square, LinkedIn, TripAdvisor

What's most frustrating and rewarding about entrepreneurship/innovation?

Constant iteration and innovation. Good enough never is.

What's the No. 1 mistake entrepreneurs/innovators make?

Believing that there is one best way to do things - a model. Innovation exists outside of models, boxes, lines.

What are the top three lessons you've learned as an entrepreneur?

Customer first. Customer Last. Customer in-between.

Full bio

Chris has led innovative digital projects for world renowned brands at agencies both large and small. Over the last 10 years he has been the principal / ceo at a full-service design agency and a strategic consultancy which he founded - engaging with over 50 start-ups to accelerate growth and ultimately achieve additional funding and/or exit.

Chris leverages deep expertise in the interaction between brand, art and technology to expose customer influence, shape business and drive growth.

He has consulted for luminary consumer brands including the NBA, Nike, Reebok, Sony, Paramount and Electronic Arts; for vc-backed companies that achieve huge growth leading to IPO including SuccessFactors, Eloqua, Callidus, Acclarent and Marketo; and for rapidly growing business units in enterprises including Ascension Health, Lenovo and Tibco.

Chris' unique experience set is anchored in his ability to quickly identify with the end user, develop a plan to leverage or develop those insights into a customer-centric 360 experience, and align leadership teams to drive toward success.

Chris is constantly learning, thinking, speaking, and writing about strategy. He counts many of the leading entrepreneurs, marketers and executives of the internet economy among his clients, peers, mentors and friends.