Chris Klaus

Christopher W. Klaus (born 1973 in Sarasota, Florida) is an American technology entrepreneur. He was founder and CTO of Internet Security Systems (ISS), a company which he started in the early 1990s, and then sold to IBM in 2006 for $1.3B. As of 2016, he is the CEO of Kaneva, a game company which he founded in 2004, and also the main financier for multiple business accelerators in the Atlanta area.[1][2][3]

Christopher W. Klaus
Chris Klaus, 2010
Born1973 (age 47–48)
Sarasota, Florida, U.S.
OccupationFounder and CEO of Kaneva, Investor
Spouse(s)Crissy Klaus (m. 2003; div. 2018)
ChildrenWill Klaus Christian Klaus

History

Klaus formed ISS in the early 1990s as a student at the Georgia Institute of Technology, eventually dropping out to focus on the growing company. In 2004 he stepped down from his role of Chief Technology Officer of ISS to pursue other interests, although he remained a significant shareholder and retained his role as the company's Chief Security Advisor. In 2006 ISS was sold to IBM for $1.3B.[4][5]

Around 2007 Klaus became one of Georgia Tech's most visible contributors, giving a $15M naming gift to build the College of Computing's new home, the Klaus Advanced Computing Building.[5][6][7]

In July 2014, Klaus co-founded NeuroLaunch, a business accelerator focused towards neurotech companies in Atlanta. In October 2015, he financed and co-founded another accelerator, CyberLaunch, which focuses on cybersecurity and machine learning startups.[8]

Klaus's ex-wife, Crissy, is also a prominent figure through fifteen years of work in local marketing and real estate, as well as extensive work with non-profit organizations. She recently founded Fio360, Atlanta's first eco-early care center.

References
  1. "Christopher W. Klaus: Founder / Chief Executive Officer, Kaneva, LLC". Georgia Tech College of Computing. Archived from the original on 2007-02-21. Retrieved 2007-03-24.
  2. "Interview with Kaneva CEO Christopher Klaus". Lockergnome. 2005-08-10. Retrieved 2007-03-24.
  3. "ISS Timeline". IBM Internet Security Systems. Archived from the original on April 20, 2007. Retrieved June 7, 2007.
  4. Fisher, Dennis (11 May 2004). "Internet Security Systems CTO Steps Down". The Channel Insider.
  5. "Internet Security Systems sold for $1.3B". Atlanta Business Chronicle. 2006-08-23. Retrieved 2007-04-03.
  6. "The Klaus Advanced Computing Building". Georgia Tech college of Computing. Archived from the original on 2007-04-19. Retrieved 2007-03-24.
  7. "Gen X High Tech Leader Donates $15 Million to Georgia Tech" (Press release). Georgia Institute of Technology. 2000-03-28. Archived from the original on September 26, 2006. Retrieved 2007-03-06.
  8. Reback, Gedalyah (December 4, 2016). "CyberLaunch shows Atlanta's strengths in machine learning and cyber". Geektime. Retrieved February 25, 2016.


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