About Webscale

Since 2012, Webscale has pioneered integrated web application delivery in the cloud. Its unique solution is the first to deliver infinite scalability, high performance, security and control in a powerful platform. Webscale leverages its technology and cloud infrastructure to offer its customers a right-sized architecture that reduces spend by scaling only when needed. Experts in cloud technology and e-commerce platforms, Webscale keeps users loyal and engaged by delivering a fast, reliable and secure web presence. Webscale has offices in Silicon Valley, CA, Boulder, CO and Bangalore, India.

The Webscale Story

In 2008, James (Jay) Smith wrote a graduate school paper on decentralized resource management. The paper looked at how the cloud could be leveraged to scale out the ADC tier as opposed to scaling it up, giving businesses a right-sized infrastructure when they needed it most. With cloud computing clearly headed into the mainstream, the time was right to turn that paper into a business. By 2011, together with close friend Robert Shires, the first prototype was built, and it worked just as they expected, able to handle failures seamlessly and coordinate distributed resources without thrashing.

By the winter, they started hammering out a business plan and seeking seed funding. After a whirlwind tour of Washington D.C they had secured their first funds and, in January 2012, Webscale was born.

Series A funding was secured by mid-2013, along with the company’s first big customer. Treehouse Brand Stores (now a division of Gamestop), was an e-commerce shop, and their work revealed a significant opportunity for the company to help e-commerce companies get the most out of the cloud.

In 2015, Sonal Puri came on board as CEO to lead the company into its next phase of growth. The company re-located its headquarters to Silicon Valley, with offices in Boulder and in Bangalore, and is continuing on its mission to deliver the world’s first and only integrated web application delivery solution that provides infinite scalability, high performance, security and control in a single, powerful platform.

The Team

Sonal Puri

CEO

Sonal Puri serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the company. Prior to Webscale, she was the Chief Marketing Officer at Aryaka Networks and led sales, marketing and alliances for the pioneer in SaaS for global enterprise networks. Sonal has more than 18 years of experience with Internet Infrastructure in sales, marketing, corporate and business development and channels. Previously, Sonal headed business development and corporate strategy for the Application Acceleration business unit, and the Western US Corporate Development team at Akamai Technologies working on partnerships, mergers and acquisitions. Sonal also ran global business operations, channels, business development and the acquisition for Speedera Networks (AKAM) and held key management roles in sales, marketing and IT at Inktomi, CAS and Euclid.

Sonal holds a Master’s degree in Building Science from the University of Southern California, and an undergraduate degree in Architecture from the University of Mumbai, India.

Jay Smith

Founder & CTO

Jay Smith founded Webscale in 2012 and currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer of the Company. Jay received his Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Colorado State University in 2008. Jay has co-authored over 30 peer reviewed articles in the area of parallel and distributed computing systems.

In addition to his academic publications, while at IBM, Jay received over 20 patents and numerous corporate awards for the quality of those patents. Jay left IBM as a Master Inventor in 2008 to focus on High Performance Computing at DigitalGlobe. There, Jay pioneered the application of GPGPU processing within DigitalGlobe.

Michael Guglielmi

VP Channel & Business Development

Michael Guglielmi is Vice President of Channel and Business Development, with responsibility for managing Webscale’s global channel strategy, business development initiatives, and strategic alliances. Michael has over 18 years of Internet infrastructure and security experience in executive level roles driving revenue growth, implementing go-to-market strategies, and improving operations for both public and private companies. Prior to Webscale, Michael held leadership positions in SaaS businesses at Qualys, VeriSign, Teneros, and Neustar where he delivered high caliber multi-tiered distribution partnerships both in domestic and international markets. Previously, he led business and corporate development at UltraDNS Corporation which was acquired by Neustar in 2006.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a concentration in Management Information Systems from Boston College.

Mike Haller

VP Engineering

Mike created his first software product thirty years ago. Since then has assumed a variety of roles in product development, professional services, and corporate IT. He is passionate about creating simple software that always works, and leading agile teams to do the same.

Mike received his BS in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Nebraska and an MS in Computer Science from the University of Colorado.

Anand Hariharan

VP of Products

Anand Hariharan is the Vice President of Products at Webscale, where he is responsible for the strategy and all aspects of product management of the Webscale product portfolio. Anand is an experienced leader with success in growing cloud-based businesses across different verticals and geographies. Over the years, Anand has held key leadership roles in Strategy, Product Management, International Business Growth, Product Marketing and Engineering in successful startups and public companies. Previously, Anand was at Akamai Technologies where he managed the web acceleration product portfolio. He also led international growth through directed initiatives for LATAM, geo-specific channel strategies and expansion into new geographies.

Anand has both technical and business educational backgrounds with a Masters degree in Computer Science from Cornell University and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business.

Andrew Humber

VP of Marketing

Andrew Humber is Vice President of Marketing at Webscale, where he is responsible for all outbound marketing activities and initiatives, including branding, digital and content marketing, communications, product marketing, events and lead generation. Andrew has 20 years’ experience in technology marketing in roles at global technology corporations and start-ups. With a passion for positioning, Andrew has helped many companies convert technology jargon into succinct market-ready messaging, while creating memorable brands that resonate with target audiences.

Andrew spent more than a decade at NVIDIA as a key member of the marketing team, driving the marketing communications programs for its diverse range of products across Europe and the US. Most recently, Andrew has worked with a number of start-ups, including Madrid-based start-up AGNITIO, where he led corporate marketing, and prior to that with Audience, where he supported the company’s IPO in 2012.

Robert Shires

Founder & Technical Evangelist

In 1997, Robert received his Bachelor’s degree in Spanish Literature from the University of Colorado, but it was his course work in mathematics that led him to a career in programming and his expertise in web application development, usability and scalability.

Robert’s varied experience includes database and server development as well as extensive front end web development. Robert has built web applications for biomedical, large scale retail and enterprise companies. He is passionate about simplicity in UI design and is dedicated to customer success through technology and service.