Greater Boston
Chris Varley has led new business and new product creation efforts for several major corporations including AT&T, CompuServe, Pearson, and The Walt Disney Company. In his current role as Principal with Goodyear Ventures, Chris focuses on mobility and advanced materials investments that enhance Goodyear's products and mobility services. Previously, as New Market Development Vice President for AT&T Labs, Chris led a venture development and investment group that commercialized emerging technologies outside of traditional AT&T markets. A two term Generation Foundation Fellow for Sustainable Development and former Vice President of NorTech, the Northeast Ohio Technology Coalition, Chris played a critical role in the early development of the clean energy movement in Northeast Ohio. In addition to his operational experience, Chris has written or produced more than 50 film, television, and children's book projects, and served as a key advisor on start up funding and strategic partnering for New Media Partners, a digital media and technology consultancy based in Glasgow, Scotland. -------------- Specialties: New Business Creation, especially digital media and information-based services; New Venture Development; Handling Complex Multiparty/International Negotiations; Structuring and Managing Joint Ventures, Research Agreements, and Government Contracts; Government Liaison; Business and Division Turnarounds; Scenario and Strategic Planning; Creating Learning Organizations; College and Management Recruiting; Managing Cultural Fit and Organizational Growth
Goodyear Ventures fuels the future of mobility by partnering and investing in seed-to-growth-stage startups in emerging mobility technology. For over 120 years we’ve been pushing the future of mobility forward and today we want to partner with and invest in the visionaries, the technologies and the experiences that will propel the mobility revolution forward. We will perform Seed, Series A, and Series B investments with the capacity to follow-on for the life of a company.
Responsible for identifying, developing, negotiating, and managing multiple open innovation (OI) initiatives at the intersection of new business opportunities and radical, disruptive technologies including: environmental and condition-based sensing; data collection and analysis; and related information and service offerings. • Secured over $2 million in external funding and accelerated the development of Goodyear’s Air Maintenance Technology, which was named by Time Magazine as one of the “Best Inventions of the Year” • Developed and oversaw plans to commercialize a new tire architecture through OI partnerships; reduced production cycle time from 8 hours to 1 hour • Led site selection and lease negotiation teams for a new development center focused on advanced manufacturing technologies and processes. Project completed on time and under budget • Served as “on loan” executive assisting in the strategy for, and development of, sensor-based information services for consumer and commercial markets • Performed due diligence on potential start up partner/acquisition targets
Focused on developing strategies and a roadmap for Northeast Ohio to grow new green industries and become a leader in sustainable development.
Coordinated the spin-out of NorTech (the Northeast Ohio Technology Coalition) from Cleveland Tomorrow as a separate, regional organization. Developed and implemented strategies and conducted negotiations for new funding sources. Piloted numerous technology-based economic development initiatives, including one of the largest scenario planning efforts ever conducted. Provided strategic direction and negotiations for the ultrabroadband service OneCommunity, an independent 501(c)(3) providing connectivity to schools, hospitals, not-for-profits and government agencies throughout Northeast Ohio. Authored regional technology strategy report, “2020: Navigating the New Realities of the North Shore.” Designed and conducted strategic planning sessions and workshops for numerous energy and sustainability organizations in the region as part of joint effort with the Cleveland Foundation to develop a regional advanced energy strategy.
Headed up content and services for ATT Worldnet. Created and staffed new division focused on commercializing technologies and developing intellectual property outside of traditional AT&T businesses. Established an equity-based investment program that generated over $60M in new revenue during first 18 months from technology and patent licenses. Took over as General Manager/CEO for a2b music and reduced “burn rate” from $750,000 per month to less than $200,000 per month in 60 days; successfully re-aligned business with corporate strategy.
Managed and provided direction for a group exploring new forms of content, new business models, and new technologies for delivering information, education, and entertainment services; advised on company M&A activities, expansion into new markets. Conceived, negotiated, and produced multimedia and online entertainment projects with Jimmy Buffett, Todd Rundgren, the Lollapalooza Festival, America’s Funniest Home Videos, Rolling Stone Magazine, and NARAS (The Grammys®)