Torch is a mobile-first company changing the way athletes organize, track and share sport experiences.
With an athlete's daily needs and lifestyle at its core, our solution enhances player social expression and builds passionate team affinity.
Our platform helps players associate with teams, groups and/or training classes; and share experiences with teammates, friends and family.
Torch enhances team experiences and adds value to leagues, tournaments and brand partners who desire access to the global, amateur sports market.
FOUNDER & CEO
Designing and executing on the team sport experience requires a deep understanding of the needs and wants of recreational team sport players. Ian has 32 years of competitive experience in amateur team sports in Brazil and the United States. He was a junior member of Brazil's National Sailing Team and captained Bowdoin College soccer in the United States. Ian still plays competitive adult league soccer, trains 4 times a week and competes in Futevolei tournaments regularly.
Before Torch, Ian served as the CEO of Int'l Consulting firm EcoArenas. Ian developed a Green Building Plan called Copa Verde for the 2014 FIFA Brazil World Cup and consulted in stadium LEED certification for several design teams. Ian was the Project Manager for the Brasília National Stadium which achieved LEED Gold certification. Ian also advised the Ministry of Energy & Mines to implement the first solar net-metering legislation in the country, not only for stadiums, but also for homes and businesses. This achievement is considered by some event organizers as the greatest legacy of the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Ian also developed a social networking platform, has written 3 screenplays and pioneered the digital signage space after leaving the international equities division of Goldman Sachs in 2003. Ian also won the Bachelorette II Reality TV show (ABC).
CTO
Wedge Martin is a 20-year veteran of Silicon Valley and serves as the CTO of Vivo Technology, Inc. He has architected private IP networks for Reuters/Nasdaq, the DoE and others, and lead the VoIP carrier performance management solutions at IBM. Martin has cofounded several SV based companies including Badgeville and Arqetype (purchased by Vivo Rewards of the UK in 2014). He was the first developer and architect of Vroozi which is still disrupting the supply chain and purchasing landscape.
Martin also serves as an advisor to Vroozi, Knightscope and Commerce (http://comr.se).
ADVISOR
Rich Maggiotto is a Board Member and CEO at ChefsFeed (Credible Inc), one of the most popular mobile products in the food and drink category in North America. Previously, Rich co-founded and served as President & CEO of Zinio, whose top-grossing mobile applications introduced the first digital magazines to tablets, like the iPad in more than 60 countries and 25 languages. Rich also co-founded NetOyster, an internet incubator based in San Francisco, and worked in the late nineties within the Office of the Vice Chairman at AOL on high-level strategy initiatives, transactional assignments, and investments. Rich graduated Summa Cum Laude from Bowdoin College.
ADVISOR
Chris Haroun is a partner at venture capital firm Artis Ventures. Chris is also an award winning business school professor and the author of "101 Crucial Lessons They Don't Teach You In Business School ", which Forbes magazine calls "1 of 6 books that all entrepreneurs need to read right now" along with Peter Thiel's, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People." Chris is also a frequent guest lecturer at several Bay Area business schools, including Berkeley and Stanford, and serves on the boards of various Bay Area technology companies.
Previously Chris worked at Goldman Sachs and several firms that he founded. He has successfully raised and managed over $1bn in his business/finance career. He has an MBA in Finance from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Commerce Degree with a major in Management Information Systems and International Business from McGill University.
ADVISOR
Fabrizio is a Partner at Geribá Investimentos, a real estate/distressed investment firm based out of São Paulo, Brazil. Previously, Cascianelli served as VP at M&A boutique Vergent Partners, as Senior Associate at private equity firm Voga Partners, as Senior Consultant at Oliver Wyman, and as Equity Research Analyst in the Morgan Stanley Technology Group, under Mary Meeker, for 5 years.
Fabrizio holds a BA in Economics and International studies from Yale University, and an MBA from IESE.
ADVISOR
Front end engineer at Facebook.
Leading engineer in React Native (developed by Facebook.). Previously worked at Globo.com, Yipit and Solucione in Brazil.
ADVISOR
International Programming Manager at ESPN.
Robert has 17+ years of experience in sports marketing including, but not limited to, negotiating deals and managing programming for the largest global sporting events, such as, the Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup and Formula 1 racing.
Robert has been a leader in ESPN's transition to digital and mobile and has worked on ESPN campaigns and partnerships with the world's largest social networks.