SOMETHING VENTURED

SOMETHING VENTURED tells the story of a handful of professionals who alongside visionary entrepreneurs created these revolutionary companies that laid the foundation for the great success of Silicon Valley. In the process they ignited the industry known as venture capital.

Something Ventured (2011) – Award Winning Documentary Film

It gives credit to Tandem, Intel, Atari, Genetech, and Apple and to the Venture Capitalists involved in the creation and success of these companies.

Available to rent or purchase on various streaming platforms.

An interesting article on Something Ventured.

EARLY SILICON VALLEY
1966-1973

“My first job after graduating with an EE degree from Rice was a job as a salesman for Texas Instruments and then I received an MBA from Stanford.  Then I joined Hewlett Packard while their first computer was being designed.

 

I held the job of Marketing Manager of the Mt. View Div. and then Marketing Manager for Commercial Systems as HP grew from $0 to $ 300 million in Revenue. I loved HP, learned a huge amount, and was certainly impacted by Bill Hewlett and his people ideas, for which he was famous.”

 

Tandem is famous for its people culture.

Photo of Jimmy Treybig & Dick Hanson and during their tenure at HP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVWdYrPyI6g

HP/Tandem User Group, Love Note Speech 2013

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From the first Kleiner Perkins brochure

Snow Job (a Kleiner Perkins Investment)

“I left HP in 1970 to join the new Kleiner Perkins (today Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield, and Byers), which became one of the most successful VC firms in the past 45 years.  I was one of 4 professionals. The new VC firm only had an 8 million dollar fund. Tandem & Genentech were major winners of the new fund.”

 

“Tandem was a huge risk for Kleiner Perkins. If Tandem had failed there would have never been a second Kleiner Perkins fund”

— Tom Perkins, Something Ventured

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1974-1996

Jimmy founded Tandem Computers, Inc. in 1974 and remained CEO until 1996. Tandem was the dominant manufacturer of fault-tolerant computer systems for ATM networks, banks, stock exchanges, telephone switching centers, and other similar commercial transaction processing applications requiring maximum uptime and zero data loss. Tandem is now part of the Hewlett Packard Enterprise Division.

Achieved Over 2.5 Billlion in Revenue

Held numerous Fundamental Patents

Joined the Fortune 500 in 1984

90% of ATMs & Stock Exchanges
still use Tandem’s technology

INC Fastest Growing Company, June 1981

#1 in Computer Industry Customer Satisfaction

Named Best Company to Work For Numerous Times

Anti-Defamation League of B’Nai B’Rith
For outstanding service as a member of the community

“In 1974 I left Kleiner Perkins and founded Tandem Computers. One of my proudest accomplishments besides the technical and business success was the very strong corporate culture which still exists today.”

 

“Our success in a large part was due to the culture and focus on people including:

1. Employees shared in the success including every employee had stock options, a 6 week sabbatical, and had an equal chance annually of a reward trip with their spouse, loved one, or friend

 

2. Strong communication of company strategy and operations to all employees and innovative communication methods. Examples include, a privately owned TV network (won numerous awards), email for everyone with any to any communication (unique at the time), and Friday beer/coffee busts

 

3. Programs and process to support employee
empowerment and self management

 

4. Focus on employment contribution independent of race, gender, and sexual orientation (in the early 70s)

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Upside Magazine
100 People Who Changed the World

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Stanford University
1980 Entrepreneur of the Year

Harvard University
1981 Entrepreneur of the Year

“In 1996 I moved to Austin, Texas where I was a venture partner for Austin Ventures, then a venture partner for New Enterprise Associates and served on the boards of many startups such as: Olea, TabbedOut, and eRelavance.

womenaustin

women@austin
2014 Elevate Award

Austin Business Journal
2012 Best CEO Award

ENY

Ernst & Young
2008 Supporter of Entrepreneurship Award

SVF

The Silicon Valley Forum
2002 Visionary Award

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Hawkins, Dell among 10 honored at Austin Tech Hall of Fame, First Time Founder ceremony

Jimmy Treybig, founder of Tandem Computers, was inducted as a part of the 2023 legacy class to the Austin Tech Hall of Fame Tuesday, June 3. His son, Cody Treybig, accepted on behalf of him, saying Jimmy was proud to be part of this esteemed group of Austin visionaries.

Click here to view the full article on Austin American Statesman

Previous Board & Investment Involvement

“Today, as an independent investor, I continue to look for venture investments in Austin. I love supporting mgmt, sitting on boards, working on strategy, creating success, & being a part of the entrepreneurial spirit.“

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My hobbies include Ham Radio for 70 years (see EME Antenna for bouncing signals off moon) and playing & winning Racket Ball Tournaments. Today, my focus has shifted to mastering Pickle Ball.

EDUCATION

Since attending Rice University and receiving a BA and BSEE, Jimmy has continued to be very involved in mentorship and career building within the university. He was honored as a Distinguished Alumni in 1989.

Jimmy Treybig on Success
by Aruni Gunasegaram & Pam Losefsky, Rice Magazine, Fall 2006

Jimmy earned his MBA from Stanford University in 1968. He was honored as their Entrepreneur of the Year in 1980.

INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE? CONTACT ME!

Address: Austin, TX  |  E-mail:jimmy.treybig@gmail.com  |  Website: www.treybig.com

Copyright 2017 James Treybig. All rights reserved.