Brainstorm Tech

Beatrice tarka Co-founder and CEO Mobissimo

Beatrice Tarka leads Mobissimo, the search engine that helps travelers find the best travel options across the web. She founded Mobissimo to simplify how people research airfares. After experiencing the pain of booking multiple trips between the U.S. and Europe, she decided to build the ultimate travel search engine. In addition to the U.S. site, Mobissimo operates seven local websites worldwide and plans expansion to additional markets in Asia and Europe. A serial entrepreneur, Ms. Tarka brings a blend of Internet, leisure travel industry, and consumer products experience to Mobissimo. She was co-founder and CEO of Axall Media, a games and edutainment software company. She engineered the acquisition of two companies, negotiated licensing deals with Hearst and MGM/UA, and completed distribution deals in 20 countries. Previously she co-founded France Portage, a press distribution database provider acquired by France Telecom. Ms. Tarka holds a BA degree from the American University of Paris and an MBA from Boston University.

Paul thelen

Founder, Chairman, and Chief Strategy Officer Big Fish Games, Inc.

Paul Thelen is chairman and chief strategy officer of Big Fish Games, Inc., the world’s largest distributor of casual games. Before founding Big Fish Games, he launched RealArcade, the first high-volume online game distribution platform. Mr. Thelen also serves as a director for the WTIA, Washington’s technology association. He earned an MBA from Stanford University and a BS degree in electrical engineering from the University of Washington.

lee thorn
Chair
Jhai Foundation

Lee Thorn is chair of the Jhai Foundation, recognized as one of the world’s leading ICT4D NGOs. Jhai won the Stockholm Challenge award, laureate status in the Tech Awards, and six Best Practices designations. The Jhai Foundation created the first low-power computer, the JhaiPC, for use in rural parts of the developing world, now deployed in Laos. The JhaiPC runs Linux or Windows, costs less than $200 at 24 watts and 1Gig RAM, and works as a stand-alone or server. Mr. Thorn is a strong proponent of participatory development and business methodology as a cost-effective counter to very wasteful foreign aid and development programs. He is promoting Jhai Systems, an integrated approach to ICT4D, and Jhai Networks, a free, highly flexible, user-friendly communication suite for poorer people. He previously taught business at the graduate level and worked as a management consultant for 35 years.

Donal travers

Senior Vice President, Software and Financial Services IDA Ireland

Donal Travers, based in Mountain View, Calif., is vice president of IDA Ireland, with responsibility for software investment from the west coast of North America into Ireland. He assumed this position in 2006. Earlier he served in a number of roles in IDA’s Ireland-based offices, including business development with mainly hardware IT companies with existing manufacturing, services, and engineering mandates in Ireland. Before joining IDA Ireland, Mr. Travers served in a brand management role with a leading Irish food company. He is a graduate of Dublin City University’s business school.