SAM RAWSTORNE
Launching AI/ML, SaaS, & platform startups.
As a founder, advisor, and early employee across a range of startups, I have successfully led business operations and strategy for over a dozen companies.
I thrive on building AI/ML, SaaS, and Platform startups and empowering teams to think beyond traditional boundaries to achieve transformative growth. I focus on creating dynamic workplaces that inspire and promote genuine excitement among team members to innovate constantly.
I have proven success in leading, recruiting, and mentoring top-notch teams both domestically and internationally, developing and iterating products, managing budgets and finances, securing multiple rounds of financing, and driving operational excellence, revenue growth, and profitability.
I am a dependable problem-solver who maintains poise under pressure while navigating all the challenges that building a startup can bring. I have a relentless curiosity, always seeking to learn, lead, and adapt while finding better ways to tackle problems and achieve strategic objectives.
I work with all levels of stakeholders, including founders, team members, investors, and board members, to ensure that we prioritize what is best for the success of the business and its stakeholders.
Whether spearheading a new venture or transforming an established business, my goal is to fuel creativity and growth, igniting a passion that propels brilliant ideas to take shape and significantly impact the world for good.
Experience:
Entrepreneur, Founder, and Leader of Operations & Strategy / 1996 - present
Industry: Healthcare, Media/Entertainment, E-commerce, Gaming, Logistics & Distribution, and Liquor
Collaborated with multiple founders, CEOs, executives, board members, and investors in setting and driving organizational vision, operations strategy, budgets, and hiring plans.
Managed day-to-day operations of multiple companies, overseeing cross-functional teams and driving operational efficiency leading to millions in savings.
Developed and implemented operational strategies to optimize business processes and achieve organizational goals.
Led and built teams from inception to 70+ employees, leading and mentoring Executives, Data Scientists, Engineers, Designers, Finance, Sales & Marketing, Product, Support, Logistics, and HR teams, ensuring successful initiative delivery.
Ran recruitment, and hiring (without external recruiting agencies), owning contract negotiations, salary discussions, and closing calls.
Adept at getting the very best from people under dynamic startup conditions.
Grown high-performing multi-disciplined teams and processes that align with the company's culture and values.
Grew various technical and functional customer support teams.
Built onboarding processes, including partnering with benefits partners (PEOs) and HR.
Developed and maintain key performance indicators (KPIs) to track company progress and identify areas for improvement.
Managed budgets and resources effectively to maximize efficiency and profitability.
Raised multiple rounds of venture financing.
Implemented financial analysis and budget management strategies to ensure financial sustainability and longevity of funding.
Built multiple multi-million dollar revenue businesses from the ground up.
Saved clients millions when transferring from incumbent solutions.
Set up and built an entire forward and reverse logistics business distributing over 50K pieces of hardware.
Established and maintained strong relationships with key stakeholders, including clients, vendors, and partners across multiple industries.
Constantly monitoring industry trends, identifying opportunities for innovation, and implementing strategic initiatives to drive business success.
Skills:
Operations Management: Proven track record of successfully managing high-growth companies and driving revenue growth.
Leadership and Communication: Exceptional leadership skills with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and establish strong relationships with key stakeholders. Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
Strategic Thinking: Ability to think strategically and develop innovative solutions to complex problems. Proactive in identifying areas for improvement and implementing strategic initiatives.
Financial Management: Experience in budget management, financial analysis, and driving profitability.
Team Management: Skilled in recruiting, training, and developing high-performing teams aligned with the company's culture and values.
Project Management: Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously, ensuring successful project delivery.
Analytical Skills: Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data to drive decision-making.
Passion for Technology and Innovation: Deep understanding of technology and its application in driving business innovation and growth.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Myia Health / 2017 - present
Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer
As the Co-Founder & COO, I work alongside the CEO, leading all day-to-day business operations while setting and driving the organizational vision, operations strategy, and hiring plan. I have grown the team to over 50 staff from inception. Overseeing culture, KPIs, budgeting and finance, investor relations, partner management, contracts, data & hardware partnerships, logistics, and client and patient support. Myia has raised over $25M supporting the country's leader in virtual care, Mercy.
Boston Consulting Group Digital Ventures / 2016 - 2017
Entrepreneur In Residence
Startup advisor to key partners, supporting and accelerating the growth of new ventures for Fortune 500 companies by providing hands-on mentorship, plug-and-play startup playbook and tools, business model expertise, and growth advice.
Zerply / 2016 - present
Advisor & Interim Chief Operating Officer
I work alongside the CEO and team, advising them on business operations and helping align the organization's vision, business strategy, and growth plan. Zerply has the world’s best animators, compositors, fx artists, modelers, lighters, and other CG & VFX wizards for hire.
BootstrapLabs Ventures / 2015 - Present
Entrepreneur In Residence
Startup advisor to key investments, supporting and accelerating the growth of new companies by providing hands-on mentorship, startup playbook and services, product and business model expertise, and growth advice. AI-first Venture fund investments include Prezi, XtGem, FeelIt, Zerply, AngelList, and others.
Wrap.co / 2016
People Operations Lead
I built multiple teams and led company culture. Clients included Salesforce, T-Mobile, Capital One, Cisco, VMWare, and NASDAQ.
Tarantula Tequila / 2015 - 2016 (Acquired)
Chief Strategist
I ran business operations and growth marketing, overhauling a legacy liquor brand. I executed a social media strategy that became one of Facebook's top-performing brands by growing its follower base from 5k to 90k in just six months for under $10K.
Humble Bundle / 2012 - 2015 (Acquired by IGN)
Head of People, Operations & Culture
As one of the first employees, I partnered with the Co-Founders to scale business operations, hiring, and culture, growing from a team of 5 to over 70 employees. HB raised over $105M for charities, including the Red Cross and many others, and helped over 10M customers discover amazing digital content. Y Combinator 2011, backed by Sequoia $4.4M.
Idle Games / 2012 - 2015 (Acquired by GSN Games)
Director of Operations & Talent Acquisition
Supporting executive leadership and business operations while leading the hiring of a formidable team of experienced executives, engineers, BI analysts, data scientists, game designers, and artists. Founded by Rick Thompson (Co-Founded Funzio & Playdom) with a $23M investment. First, truly social MMO game to hit Facebook.
Please visit linkedin.com/in/rawstorne for further career information spanning 1996- 2012