John T. Cann
Venture Capital / Business Development / Executive Leadership
Singapore
Summary
Dynamic global executive with extensive experience in business development, venture investing, corporate and public-sector engagement, and the application of technology to support strategic objectives across a diverse client/partner base. Recognized as a leader in information technology and international development with over 30 years of C-level business relationships. Seasoned problem solver with a unique combination of business acumen and technical expertise, consistently leveraging resources, people, and innovation to drive new market creation in both developed and emerging countries.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
1996
1996
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Managing Director, Head of Investments
Graiden Gorge Investments, LLC
06.2023 - Current
- Leading the “Zero-to-One” creation of an Angel/Venture Capital firm focusing on early-stage deep-tech startups in Asia.
- Responsible for managing deal flow from discovery to funding, portfolio management, and investor relations.
- Delivered on goal of four investments in the first year and $500,000+ capital deployed.
Head, Market Development – Public Sector Financial Institutions, Asia Pacific and Japan
Amazon Web Services, Pte. Ltd.
12.2019 - 06.2023
- Empowered public sector financial customers to harness digital transformation to achieve their missions.
- Designed strategies for sales and business expansion in the region focusing on Supervisory Technology, Digital Startups, ESG/Green Finance, Stock Exchanges, Multi-lateral Financial Institutions, and Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC) across 70+ customer accounts in the region.
- Directed account teams and partners to pursue sales pipeline valued at $378+ million.
- Achieved 31% YoY growth in influenced revenue of $16+ million over three years.
- Guided sales teams to the first four CBDC projects for AWS with customers in Asia.
Company Director, Global Business Development Lead
Joi Scientific Pte Ltd
10.2017 - 11.2019
- Company Overview: Singapore
- Managed international expansion and idea-to-market leadership in this Startup's Hydrogen 2.0 energy technology.
- Responsible for new market creation, digital transformation, business partnerships, policy advocacy, and engagement with International Organizations in Asia.
- Designed corporate strategy for sales and regional expansion across the region.
- Identified and cultivated a $20 million pipeline of investment capital and pre-paid licensing.
- Played a key branding role in positioning the company in several international energy forums.
- Singapore
Regional Director, Public Sector Asia, International Organizations
Microsoft Operations Pte Ltd
09.2008 - 10.2017
- Company Overview: Singapore
- An advocate and evangelist of Microsoft's spectrum of technologies responsible for managing the firm's relationships with multi-lateral and bi-lateral donors, inter-governmental organizations, partners, and governments throughout Asia.
- Directed the firm's Go-To-Market strategy for Cloud/Digital Transformation initiatives.
- Ensured sustainable business growth through positioning Microsoft as the solution of choice for donor funded projects in the region.
- Engaged with senior executives within and outside the firm to align resources which accelerated and scaled technology solutions opportunities for Microsoft.
- Led teams in regional subs and partners to pursue sales pipeline valued at $250+ million.
- Exceeded targets by 20+% annually to over $40 million through innovative disruptive strategies.
- Led strategic engagement with donors and governments on Cloud and digital transformation.
- Experience with the Microsoft product solutions including Azure, Big Data/BI, AI, IoT, Blockchain.
- Singapore
Principal Development Specialist, Financial Services
Development Alternatives, Inc.
01.2000 - 01.2008
- Company Overview: Bethesda, Maryland
- Directed the growth of DAI's banking technology and enterprise development practice areas including microfinance, retail, SME banking, and private sector development.
- Solely responsible for worldwide sales, management, and delivery of financial technology solutions for the company.
- Developed and managed a program/project portfolio valued at more than $75 million.
- Directly contributed to more than $100 million in new multi-year contracts for DAI over eight years.
- Built the financial technology practice area across DAI from concept to more than $20 million.
- Oversaw core banking system procurements in financial institutions in Africa, Asia and Middle East.
- Bethesda, Maryland
Banking Practice Executive
C.C. Pace Systems
01.1998 - 01.2000
- Company Overview: Fairfax, Virginia
- Fairfax, Virginia
Global Financial Services Practice Manager
Perot Systems, Inc.
01.1996 - 01.1998
- Company Overview: Reston, Virginia
- Reston, Virginia
Senior Consultant
James Martin and Company
01.1992 - 01.1996
- Company Overview: Fairfax, Virginia
- Fairfax, Virginia
Staff Consultant
Andersen Consulting
01.1989 - 01.1992
- Company Overview: Washington, D.C.
- Washington, D.C.
Financial Consultant
Merrill Lynch
01.1988 - 01.1989
- Company Overview: Washington, D.C.
- Washington, D.C.
Education
Master of International Business and Commerce Policy - Trade and Finance
George Mason University
Fairfax, VirginiaBachelor of Arts - Biology
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VirginiaExecutive Certificates in Private Equity and Venture Capital - undefined
Imperial College Business School
London Business School Executive Certificate - Leading the Way in Public Sector
London Business School
Total Quality Management Certificate - undefined
Darden School of Business
Skills
Strategic Planning
Partnership Enablement
Strategic executive engagement
Investments/Due Diligence
Portfolio Management
Venture Capital/Startups
Residency
Singapore Permanent Resident
Timeline
Managing Director, Head of Investments
Graiden Gorge Investments, LLC
06.2023 - Current
Head, Market Development – Public Sector Financial Institutions, Asia Pacific and Japan
Amazon Web Services, Pte. Ltd.
12.2019 - 06.2023
Company Director, Global Business Development Lead
Joi Scientific Pte Ltd
10.2017 - 11.2019
Regional Director, Public Sector Asia, International Organizations
Microsoft Operations Pte Ltd
09.2008 - 10.2017
Principal Development Specialist, Financial Services
Development Alternatives, Inc.
01.2000 - 01.2008
Banking Practice Executive
C.C. Pace Systems
01.1998 - 01.2000
Global Financial Services Practice Manager
Perot Systems, Inc.
01.1996 - 01.1998
Senior Consultant
James Martin and Company
01.1992 - 01.1996
Staff Consultant
Andersen Consulting
01.1989 - 01.1992
Financial Consultant
Merrill Lynch
01.1988 - 01.1989
Bachelor of Arts - Biology
University of Virginia
Executive Certificates in Private Equity and Venture Capital - undefined
Imperial College Business School
London Business School Executive Certificate - Leading the Way in Public Sector
London Business School
Total Quality Management Certificate - undefined
Darden School of Business
Master of International Business and Commerce Policy - Trade and Finance
George Mason University