Sean Dalton of Highland hosted a keynote fireside chat with Ash Dahod of Starent Networks at the TiECON East 2010 Conference.  The discussion is a fascinating look at entrepreneurship and company building through the lens of a highly successful serial entrepreneur.  It walks through the Starent story, opportunities in mobile, Ash’s entrepreneurial endeavors and his advice to others aspiring to do the same.  A special thanks to TiE-Boston for allowing us to post the video.

 

Ash Dahod & Sean Dalton Fireside Chat from HCP on Vimeo.

 

Ashraf Dahod
Co-founder, Starent Networks

 

Ashraf Dahod is Senior Vice President and General Manager of Cisco's Mobile Internet Technology Group, the newly formed group as a result of the Starent acquisition.  In his previous role, Dahod served as Chief Executive Officer and President of Starent Networks Corporation, a company he co-founded based on his vision of enhancing mobile wireless networks and their services.  Dahod has an exceptionally strong record of building successful technology companies, capitalizing on his ability to recognize market opportunities and combining it with a keen understanding of technology.

 

Prior to Starent, Dahod co-founded NetCore Systems, Inc., in 1996, a producer of innovative large-scale, high-performance switching  products targeting major ISP's and multi-service telecommunications carriers.  In August 1999, Tellabs acquired NetCore.

 

In 1988, Dahod co-founded Sigma Network Systems, Inc. an industry leader in multi-layer, multi-protocol switching systems.  Standard Microsystems Corporation (SMC) acquired Sigma in 1992, where Dahod continued to lead the team and develop further innovations.  SMC sold the Sigma business to Cabletron in 1996.

 

In 1981, he funded Applitek Corporation, another technology pioneering company.  It developed the first cable modem.  Applitek was later renamed LANCity and was acquired by Bay Networks.  It is now part of Arris Interactive.