Rodrigo Carvalho, Founder & CEO

Rodrigo brings expertise in IT systems, eCommerce, Project Management, Client Relationship Management and previous entrepreneurial experience. Rodrigo holds a BS in Industrial Engineering and an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School of Business, where he was a Swartz Entrepreneurial Fellow. Previously, Rodrigo worked as a process improvement engineer and as an IT consultant at IBM. While working for IBM he started two companies, one of which, is an eCommerce store that he still manages. Rodrigo was born in Brazil and moved to New York at the age of 16. He is fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, and English. With a commitment to integrity, Rodrigo ensures we're building the company with the right values in mind.

Rob Taylor, President

Rob brings two decades of entrepreneurial experience from numerous successful venture and IPO-funded startups. Previously, Rob was the founding COO and GM of now profitable TrueCar, Inc., where he helped raise over $200M in venture and strategic capital and earn customers like AAA, Consumer Reports, USAA, and American Express. Rob holds a BS in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Virginia Tech and his MBA and MS from Northwestern University. When not working, Rob cycles in Texas Hill Country and enjoys the company of his family. With laser-like strategy and a wealth of experience, Rob ensures we are operating in a smart, efficient and scalable way.

Amos Schwartzfarb, Head of Customer Development

Amos brings almost two decades of online and technical sales and general management experience from numerous successful venture backed start-ups. Previously, Amos was founder and COO of mySpoonful - which was sold in 2012. Prior to mySpoonful, Amos was Vice President of Sales and Client Services for Business.com which sold to RH Donnelly in 2007 and prior to that was Director of Account Management for HotJobs.com which sold to Yahoo! in 2002. When not working, Amos can be found either spending time with his wife, two daughters and dog or racing his mountain bike all over Texas. Amos' deep experience ensures our ability to build a highly successful sales machine.

Trebor Carpenter, Head of Engineering

Trebor brings over 14 years of experience in Software Development and Engineering, with roles as a technical lead, architect, and director at a number of venture-backed start-ups around Austin. Prior to BlackLocus, Trebor was Lead Developer at Lombardi Software (acquired by IBM in 2010), Lead Developer at NetSpend (IPO in 2010) and Technical Architect at Tangoe (IPO in 2011). When Trebor isn't leading world class software organizations towards success, he can be found hanging out with his wife, 2 kids and 2 dogs, listening to punk rock and enjoying the Austin scene.

Lukas Bouvrie, Founder & Head of Customer Experience

Lukas brings expertise in Sales, Client Engagement, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Technology and an MBA at Carnegie Mellon University - Tepper School of Business where he was a Swartz Entrepreneurial Fellows. Prior to joining Tepper, Lukas founded and managed an arts promotion company in Alaska, and was a Guide on the Himalayan Mountains in Nepal. In his free time, he seeks adventure in nature, climbing intimidating ice mountains, skiing the most dangerous virgin slopes, and flying bush planes. Always with a positive attitude, Lukas ensures our customers have a positive experience.

Silverton’s people-driven investment strategy leads them to collaborate with exceptional entrepreneurs who are committed to attacking growth markets with cutting-edge products or services. They have over three decades of venture experience, having been the start-up investors in market-leading companies such as Motive Communications, Silicon Labs, SMART Technologies, Tivoli Systems, and Waveset.

DFJ Mercury venture capital firm focuses on compelling and novel start-up opportunities, especially those with the ability to address large markets with a disruptive performance increase or cost decrease. With over $100 million under management, DFJ Mercury partners with founders with extraordinary technical talent to build globally competitive businesses.

“We set sail on this new sea because there is new knowledge to be gained, and new rights to be won, and they must be won and used for the progress of all people…”