Kamran Elahian is the Chairman and Co-Founder of Global Catalyst Partners, an international, multistage, technology-oriented venture capital firm. GCP has invested in leading-edge technology companies in the U.S., Japan, Israel and India.

He is also the Co-Chair of UNDESA GAID. The Global Alliance for Information and Communication Technologies and Development (GAID) is an UN global forum that comprehensively addresses cross-cutting issues related to ICT in development. With its multi-stakeholder approach, the Alliance reaffirms the belief that a people-centered and knowledge-based information society is essential for achieving better life for all.

He is also the Chairman of Global Catalyst Foundation. The Global Catalyst Foundation is a private foundation established by the principals of Global Catalyst Partners. Its mission is to improve peoples' lives through the effective application of information technologies. The Foundation initiates and supports innovative projects worldwide to improve education, alleviate poverty, promote social tolerance and celebrate diversity.

He is the Chairman Emeritus of Relief International-Schools Online. RI is a humanitarian non-profit agency that provides emergency relief, rehabilitation, development assistance, and program services to vulnerable communities worldwide. RI is solely dedicated to reducing human suffering and is non-political and non-sectarian in its mission. As the educational division of RI, Schools Online is dedicated to serving the educational needs of vulnerable communities worldwide. It uses information technology and the Internet to empower youth and promote intercultural dialog.

He is a veteran entrepreneur with over 29 years of experience in the high-tech industry. Kamran has co-founded ten companies: CAE Systems (’81) a design automation software company; acquired by Tektronix for $75M, Cirrus Logic (’84) a fabless semiconductor company; IPO at $150M valuation, Momenta (’89) a pen-based computer company; failed within 3 years, NeoMagic (’93) a mobile multimedia IC company; IPO at $300M valuation, PlanetWeb (’96) a software company for Internet appliances, Centillium Communications (’97) a communication IC company; IPO at $700M valuation, Actelis Networks (’99) a broadband communications systems company, Informative (’99) a customer feedback solutions software company, Entopia (’99) a knowledge management software company; failed within 6 years, and Greenfield Networks (’01) a communication IC company; acquired by Cisco Systems in 2006.

Kamran also founded Schools Online (’96) a non-profit public charity organization (with the goal to bring the Internet to disadvantaged schools in the world); which merged with Relief International (’03). He also co-founded Global Catalyst Foundation (’00), a private philanthropic foundation.

Kamran received a BS in Computer Science, a BS in Mathematics (at the age of twenty) and a Masters of Engineering degree in Computer Graphics from the University of Utah.

In December 2006, The Dr. Morris Chang Exemplary Leadership Award which recognizes individuals for their exceptional contributions to drive the development, innovation, growth and long-term opportunities for the fabless semiconductor industry was presented to Kamran.