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Rick Cooper
Accomplished Entrepreneur, Executive, Strategist, Angel Investor and Outdoor Enthusiast
Rick Cooper is an accomplished serial entrepreneur with a vast experience in founding and leading eight start-ups in various management positions including CEO, COO, CFO, VP BD, and Sales and Marketing in high tech and cleantech industries since 1996.
With a background dating back to the early 80s, Rick Cooper has been a pioneer in clean technology, conducting research on rechargeable lithium battery technology for acclaimed companies like Ballard, a global leader in hydrogen fuel cells.
Rick has a proven track record, having successfully sold a company he co-founded for $400 million and conducted an IPO on the AIM exchange in London with another venture. Additionally, he has secured 13 government contracts or grants totaling $28 million through 14 proposals.
Throughout his career, Rick has primarily focused on automotive, consumer electronics, portable power, and scientific instruments, forging collaborative relationships with industry giants like Ford, Mercedes Benz, General Motors, Samsung, Panasonic, Intel, and more.
Noteworthy achievements include being the co-founder and CEO of MANTA Instruments, a company that was later acquired by HORIBA Instruments Inc., showcasing his expertise in commercializing breakthrough scientific instruments. Currently, Rick serves as an Entrepreneur in Residence at UC San Diego and sits on the board of other start-ups.
Rick's expertise spans entrepreneurship, leadership, strategic planning, negotiations, and the effective execution of product development, finance, sales, marketing, business development, and brand development both domestically and internationally.
His educational background includes studies at Stanford University Graduate School of Business, University of California, Berkeley, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, and the British Columbia Institute of Technology.
Rick has held various roles in organizations such as Entrepreneur In Residence at University of California San Diego, Chairman and CEO at MANTA Instruments Inc., Director at IntraStage, and Vice President of Business Development at PolyFuel, among others.
