Stan Boland
Angel Investor
Current investment sectors
Stan Boland, a seasoned entrepreneur, angel investor and ex-CEO of FiveAI, has had a diverse and successful career in the technology and semiconductor industry.
Stan Boland, the angel
Stan Boland has invested as an angel investor in TickX and Cogna.
Angel Investment: Cogna
Stan Boland invested in Cogna along with the following angels: Hermann Hauser, Professor Neil Lawrence, Zayd Enam, Tim Shi, Ping Wu, Aviv Nevo, and Nick Elliot.
At the core of Cogna's innovative approach is an AI-driven Software as a Service (SaaS) platform that streamlines data integration across various business functions.
This empowers domain experts to collaborate with AI in creating bespoke software tools, facilitating analysis, optimizations, and decisions that result in substantial operational improvements.
Cogna's focus on addressing the inherent complexity of diverse processes in sectors like civil engineering and manufacturing sets it apart, as off-the-shelf solutions often fall short in these domains.
Early success and positive reception from clients, including Cadent Gas, underscore the potential transformative impact of Cogna's technology on real-world operations and efficiency.
Angel Investment: TickX
TickX is a platform founded in 2015 by childhood friends Steve Pearce and Sam Coley. Originally conceived as a one-stop shop for fans to discover and purchase event tickets, TickX has evolved to offer technology that benefits producers and live entertainment organisers.
In 2020, the company shifted its mission to unlock the power of direct bookings for the events industry.
TickX operates as a transformational layer situated between marketing teams and platforms, and the ticketing systems it integrates with. Instead of replicating the entire feature set of ticketing systems, TickX focuses on providing a valuable layer on top, described as the 'tip of the iceberg.' This approach aims to enhance ticket sales and marketing efficiencies while allowing ticketing partners to continue functioning as the operational engine for successful ticketing operations.
The platform has been involved in powering the ticketing and marketing efforts of major names in the global entertainment industry since 2020.
Stan Boland and FiveAI
His most recent venture, FiveAI, founded in 2015, focused on developing automated driving software. Initially demonstrating a highly automated online driving system for urban driving, FiveAI pivoted to create an integrated, cloud-based development ecosystem for testing automated driving systems in low-fidelity simulation.
Bosch acquired FiveAI in 2022, marking Boland's third major exit. Prior to this, he successfully co-founded and led Element 14 Inc. and Icera Semiconductor Inc., both acquired by Broadcom and Nvidia, with a combined sale price exceeding $1.1 billion.
Stan’s background
Graduating in Physics from the University of Cambridge, Boland initially worked in roles at Rolls-Royce Aerospace, Bell Group, and Bricom. His career took a significant turn in the 1980s when he worked for Robert Holmes à Court, and later at ICL from 1990 to 1997, where he delved into the technology sector.
In 1997, Boland joined Acorn Computers, which eventually spun out as Element 14. Broadcom acquired Element 14 in 2000 for $640 million, leading to Boland becoming the Vice President of its DSL business unit.
His directorship extended to ARM Holdings as well. In 2002, Boland co-founded Icera, a venture that was later acquired by Nvidia in 2011 for $367 million plus an undisclosed staff retention amount.
Boland's entrepreneurial journey continued as he assumed the role of CEO at Neul in April 2013. Additionally, since January 2014, he has been the Chairman of NMI, the UK national association for companies in the electronics systems sector.
Known for his significant contributions to the semiconductor industry, Boland's achievements include being a Board member of ARM Holdings and serving as CEO of Acorn Group plc. His educational background includes a degree in Physics and Theoretical Physics from the University of Cambridge, and he is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, as well as a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Management Accountants.
Boland's current focus as the CEO of FiveAI reflects his commitment to building robust autonomous driving software.