Upwardly mobile Hartnett quits Palm for 'exciting new venture'
A model displays a sticker of a Palm smartphone during a launch in India. Head of global sales John Hartnett has announced he is leaving the company after 5 years. Photo: PAL PILLAI/AFP/Getty Images
Friday November 07 2008
John Hartnett (right), one of the top Irish technology executives in Silicon Valley, is stepping down as head of global sales with mobile technology group Palm.
Limerick-born Mr Hartnett declined to go into his next move in detail, but said he was "going to a new opportunity -- an exciting new venture".
The executive is also a venture partner and investor in technology private equity consortium Atlantic Bridge Ventures, which has interests in some €480m worth of assets and has offices in Dublin and London.
He is chair of the group behind a venture capital mission which will host 'closed door sessions' between chief executives of Irish start-ups and Silicon Valley business leaders, where they can pitch for investment.
The 'Silicon Valley Comes to Ireland 2008' innovation forum is hosted by the Irish Technology Leadership Group and takes place at Trinity College Dublin on November 18-19.
Despite the grim economic climate on both sides of the Atlantic, investors are still looking for opportunities to invest in, Mr Hartnett claims.
"This is not an awards ceremony," he said of the forum. "It's a business event; the US companies involved are coming here to do business."
Mr Hartnett is senior vice-president of worldwide sales and customer relations at Palm. He joined Palm from Handspring in 2003, where he worked prior to its merger with Palm's hardware division and was part of the merger leadership team.
- Roisin Burke
