Alex Vratskides

Co-Founder and CEO

Alex co-founded Upstream in 2001 and is the company’s Chief Executive Officer. Alex is responsible for setting Upstream’s strategic direction and spearheading its international expansion and product innovation. Alex began his career designing algorithms and systems for traffic forecasting and route optimization for United Airlines. He went on to join OC&C/McKenna (Boston, MA) becoming a management consultant in the areas of marketing strategy for software and telecommunications companies, before co-founding Upstream. Alex holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics from Columbia University, New York City and a Masters of Engineering in Operations Research from Cornell University.

Marco Veremis

Co-Founder and President

Marco is Upstream’s President and the company’s co-founder. Marco drives Upstream’s corporate development as it continues its expansion into new geographical and product areas and acts as Chairman of the Board. As an experienced marketing strategist at leading advertising agencies Grey Advertising, McCann-Ericsson and DDB in London, Marco developed global and pan-european communications strategies for brands such as Nestlé, Coca-Cola, Sony and SmithKline Beecham. Marco holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and International Studies from Warwick University and a Masters of Philosophy in European Studies from Oxford University.

Simon Negus

Chief Operating Officer

Simon is Chief Operating Officer at Upstream. He oversees the global business operations of the company and holds ultimate responsibility for ensuring the organization grows and scales efficiently. Simon joined Upstream from Microsoft where he was a Partner and UK Board member responsible for the Microsoft Enterprise and Partner Group (EPG). Prior to Microsoft Simon was 11 years at Dell, where he held a series of senior positions both in the U.K. and abroad including latterly serving as Dell EMEA vice-president for Enterprise Products and Services and serving on the Dell EMEA Operating Board. Simon graduated from the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, and served in HM Armed Forces for six years.

Assaf Baciu

Senior Vice President, Product Management

Assaf is Senior Vice President of Product Management at Upstream. Assaf is responsible for driving the development of Upstream’s next-generation mobile marketing solutions and identifying new markets for expansion. Prior to joining Upstream, Assaf worked for speech and imaging solutions supplier Nuance Communications as a senior director of product strategy where he was responsible for developing on-demand and mobile solutions. Assaf joined Nuance from BeVocal, following its acquisition in 2007, where he led product management and developed innovative multi-channel mobile strategies and solutions. Assaf holds a Masters in Business Administration from the University of San Francisco and he has a Masters in Social Psychology from the Sorbonne in Paris.

Vu Nguyen

Senior Vice President, Global Sales

Vu is Senior Vice President of Global Sales at Upstream. Vu’s key responsibilities include global business development and accelerating the adoption of Upstream’s mobile marketing technology platform by brands and operators. Prior to Upstream, Vu had been head of the Vodafone global business unit at Research in Motion, head of new business development for Sony Ericsson, and executive vice president and head of global sales at Telmap, the market leader in EMEA for white-labeled location-based solutions and services for mobile operators. His key industry successes include winning the first 3G mobile network contract in North America for Ericsson and building two new business areas (Global Operators and Enterprise) for Sony Ericsson. Vu holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computer Science as well as a Masters in Business Administration in International Business and Finance from McGill University, Canada.

Mike Linnert

General Manager, North American Sales

Mike is General Manager of U.S. Sales at Upstream and is responsible for North American client development and account management. Mike has more than ten years of experience in the technology space, having worked for Technology Crossover Ventures, where he invested in and held board positions at more than 20 private technology companies in the Internet and Telecommunications sectors. In addition, Mike oversaw sales and business development as Vice President of Client Development for BeVocal, which was acquired by Nuance Communications in 2007. Mike holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Notre Dame University and a Masters in Business Administration from Stanford University.

Panos Martinis

Senior Vice President, Finance

Panos is Senior Vice President of Finance at Upstream. Panos oversees the company’s finance and legal department and is responsible for financial planning and co-ordination of investor relations for the business. Before working with Upstream, Panos was Business Planning and Intelligence Manager at Dell where he played a key role in the company’s penetration of the corporate market. Panos has also worked in Washington D.C. as a Consultant at LECG Inc. and as an Associate at Deloitte & Touche L.L.P. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Public Policy Management from Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and a Masters of Science in Finance and Economics from The London School of Economics and Political Science.

Guy Krief

Senior Vice President, Innovation

Guy is Senior Vice President of Innovation at Upstream. Guy oversees the incubation and implementation of the innovative mobile marketing campaigns that the company develops for its mobile operator and brand clients. Guy’s creativity has enabled him to follow a diverse career path, which has seen him write and star in his own TV comedy series and host his own radio show. He has also held significant roles in the telecommunications industry, including marketing manager for Wanadoo (France Telecom) in Paris, which eventually became Orange. Guy holds a Masters in Social Psychology from the Sorbonne in Paris.