About

Darius is fascinated by technology that shapes our world, and by the connections it enables between people as they create and learn. He has a strong business foundation in international operations and management, product and service definition, and global business development. His technical expertise includes internet technologies and computing systems from supercomputers to mobile devices.

Darius is a mentor to startup teams and an advisor to startup incubators, universities, growing companies and large enterprises around the world. He leads workshops on Customer-Focused Product Definition and Development, Innovation Management, the Lean Startup approach to customers and product, Business Model Analysis and Strategy using variations of the Business Model Canvas, Innovation in Service Operations, Innovation in the Enterprise, as well as custom-developed programs.

Roles

Advisor to startups and regular speaker on startup strategy, customer development and product and services development.

Founder and Board President of Square Peg Foundation, a non-profit education and animal welfare organization with a mission to turn “I Wish” into “I Can.” At Square Pegs, Everyone Fits.
Founder of Syncopat, an early-stage startup company making tools that serve musician creativity, performance and education.

Executive Director of the Silicon Valley Innovation Institute.

Hobbies and Interests

Darius is also an avid chef, specializing in local fresh foods and simple recipes for fabulous and delicious meals. His primary customer is his wife, Joell, who is a very good eater. Darius’ poorly kept food blog is at http://www.feedthegirl.com.

Darius and a friend created and operated the Palo Alto Acoustic Music Open Mic at Cafe Verona in Palo Alto in the early 2000’s. He plays guitar and has recently been learning to play bass, as well as getting the piano (his childhood instrument) back under his fingers.

Personal

Darius and his wife Joell live in Half Moon Bay, California with their cats Lucille, Carter and Pickle and two-and-a-half hounds Thair, Patti and Tucker (Tucker’s other half is a mystery).