Desmond O'Connor

Executive in Residence

As an Executive in Residence, Desmond O’Connor works with the management teams of start-up technology companies to identify and address critical business issues including intellectual property creation and protection, product development, marketing, sales, fundraising, management recruitment and growth planning.  Some of these high potential enterprises become members of the Innovation Works investment portfolio. For a portfolio company, Des provides mentoring and network access, and serves as an observer on the board of directors.

Des has over 15 years experience in strategic business planning and corporate operations both in early-stage technology ventures and Fortune 1000 companies. Prior to joining Innovation Works, Des was Business Development Director for Management Science Associates (MSA) where he led client-facing activities in the Alcohol Beverage and Publishing industry groups in addition to broader responsibilities in business development and product commercialization.  Before joining MSA, Mr. O’Connor was VP Business Development for Haley Systems, an early-stage artificial intelligence software company in Pittsburgh.   He previously gained experience managing an early-stage technology company as VP Globalization Strategy for Clickthebutton.com, an Internet-based price comparison services provider based in New York City.  Previously, Des was a Principal Consultant with the Strategic Change Consulting Practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers L.L.P., where he focused on strategy development, particularly in the areas of sales and marketing information, primarily for major CPG clients. Mr. O'Connor also worked in brand management for the Weight Watchers Food Company and in customer marketing for SmithKline Beecham Consumer Products.
   
Des O'Connor holds a Bachelor of Science degree from University College Dublin and an M.B.A. from Carnegie Mellon University.