Clarence Wooten

Architect, Business adviser, Designer, Entrepreneur, Idea generator, Potential employer, Single, Startup, Web guru

Coined a "serial entrepreneur" by Entrepreneur Magazine in February 2000, Clarence has launched and operated numerous tech companies since founding his first, Envision Designs, while initially studying architecture as an undergraduate student in college. In 1993, Clarence co-founded Metamorphosis Studios, an interactive multimedia firm, where he served as CEO and Creative Director until early 1998 when the company was acquired by MediSolv, Inc. Immediately following the acquisition, at the height of the dot-com boom, Clarence co-founded and served as CEO of ImageCafe.com. Touted as the Internet's first online superstore of customizable websites-to-go, ImageCafe was acquired for $23 million by Network Solutions/Verisign in November 1999, just seven months after it launched. Clarence is currently founder and CEO of Progress.ly, a Silicon Valley-based startup that is working to transform the way people plan, share and execute on tasks. In addition to Progress.ly, Clarence is founder and serves as Executive Chairman of Groupsite.com (formerly CollectiveX), a leader in social collaboration with over 45,000 companies and organizations as customers. Just prior to founding Groupsite.com in 2006, Clarence co-founded and served as General Partner at Venturepreneur Partners, a seed-stage venture capital firm. In his spare time, Clarence also enjoys advising the management teams of various other early-stage Internet and mobile startups. In each of his entrepreneurial endeavors, Clarence has been focused on product design, specifically user-experience, which serves as the catalyst behind the development of Progress.ly, Groupsite.com and the other ventures in which he’s involved. Clarence has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, Forbes ASAP, and Entrepreneur Magazine and has been a guest on CNNfn and other media outlets. His entrepreneurial experiences are the subject of a Babson College case study. Clarence has a B.S. in Business Management from the John Hopkins University and currently serves on the Dean’s Alumni Advisory Board for its Carey Business School. Additionally, Clarence serves on the board of trustees of Philadelphia University and several other non-profit organizations. Clarence is an avid supporter of the community and was awarded an Honorary Alumni by the University of Maryland in 2006 and was recognized as a distinguished alumnus of Johns Hopkins University in 2010. In his personal time, Clarence enjoys spending time with his daughters, family and close friends. Prior to relocating to Palo Alto, CA, Clarence attended most Maryland Terps basketball and Ravens football games.

Entrepreneurship, great design, education, user-experience, web and mobile software, sports, architecture, travel and all things beautiful.

Entrepreneur, Inventor, Location Based Services, saas, Start up acceleration/marketing, launches, EVs, enviro foundatio, User Experience & Design

My first experience at TED was in 2006 -- the last year TED was held in Monterey, CA. The people I met were all awesome. The talks were inspiring and absolutely incredible. I especially remember being in the main auditorium during Majora Carter's phonomial speech. The entire room was electric. I was blown away. I returned last year for TED2012. I am pleased to be attending TED 2013. I know that it will be an incredible experience once again.

Hmmm... good question. At one time I was a pretty good basketball player - I played in College. I was also pretty good at gymnastics as a kid.