Michael Wheatley - Chief Executive Officer
Michael has held senior technology, sales, marketing and general management posts in Europe, North America, the Pacific Rim and South Africa. He took Brightware, a US-owned start-up, from zero to European market leadership in two years and went on to complete the successful turnaround of an ailing UK technology company. Most recently he led the successful growth and exit strategy for Envisional, an Internet security company. He has also worked for Durham University Business School, the University Of Leeds, Plessey, Shell International and Inference. Mike has a strong technology background, with an MSc in Computer Science and an early career in software research.

Ian Pringle - Chief Technology Officer
Ian is founder and CEO of Inteleme Limited, a rapid prototyping, research and consultancy enterprise focusing on Web and communications technology. Before this, Ian spent six years as a key member of France Telecomm’s high profile Technology Research team where he specialized in consultancy, research and prototype development of disruptive emerging technologies. Ian’s work covered many domains including Grid computing, Home networking, End User creativity, Interfacing, Social networks, Search and Information Management. Ian has had a varied carrier. He started working as an analyst/programmer developing distributed database systems and moved into Internet and multimedia production in the mid 90’s. He has built and managed multi-disciplined engineering and production teams several times over and acted as Technology Strategy Consultant to a number of start-ups. He was headhunted into the leading UK ISP Freeserve (later acquired by France Telecom) in 2000 where he ran the Technical Production team before moving into the R&D role. Ian holds a Master of Science degree with Distinction in the subject of Internet Application development.

Ed French
Currently Investment Director with Rising Stars Growth Fund. Joined initially to help set up the Fund and later to assess and complete technology investments. Edward has assessed several hundred business propositions and has completed investments to date mainly in software and medical technology.Prior to joining the fund, Edward ran a technology transfer business based at the University of Bradford where he completed numerous licence deals and patents, and founded, and funded seven new spin-out companies, mainly in Telecoms, Medical Technology and Software. Edward served as Chairman of Unico, the University Companies Association, which deals with issues associated with creating spin-out companies from University technology. During this time Edward gained useful exposure to building technology business teams, IP strategy work and financing, building upon his experience of managing product development, sales and manufacturing in a number of engineering businesses.

Imran Ali
Imran is a founding partner of Carbon Imagineering, a UK-based emerging technologies think tank which is incubating a number of startup projects - including coworking spaces, social TV and Islamic computing - as well as working with various clients in exploring early-stage technologies and social media. Currently, Imran is also a board director for bmedi@ and Dotnorth, a regular contributor to Corante’s Mobile Messaging 2.0 and O’ReillyGMT as well as being active in organising meetups such as BarCamp Leeds and OpenCoffee Leeds. Imran was previously Deputy Director of Technology Research at Orange and helped to develop various R&D teams and units for Wanadoo and Freeserve. Also, Imran has been a programme advisor for both editions of O’Reilly’s Emerging Telephony conference and blog as well as a former contributor to TechCrunch UK.

Carl Griffith
With significant experience in the management and implementation of IT related projects and more recently is delivering specific market sector consultancy and marketing support to Independent Software Vendors Carl brings a wide range of skills to the post. Possessing a wealth of contacts, direct relevant experience with the client base, and web2.0 marketing expertise Carl leads the Commercial team in positioning the ensembli service, launch, marketing strategy and enterprise sales.