Draft:Rod Turner
British-born technology entrepreneur
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Rod Turner (born 1956) is a British-born technology entrepreneur who held senior executive roles at Ashton-Tate and Symantec Corporation during the formative years of the personal computer software industry. At Symantec, he served as General Manager of the Norton product group following Symantec's 1990 acquisition of Peter Norton Computing, and oversaw the 1991 introduction of Norton AntiVirus.[1][2][3] Both Ashton-Tate and Symantec completed initial public offerings on the NASDAQ during Turner's tenure, in 1983 and 1989 respectively.[1][4]
Comment: Linkedin.com would be a better location for this CV. Theroadislong (talk) 17:57, 12 March 2026 (UTC)
Stanford University (Executive Institute, 1983)
Rod Turner | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1956 |
| Education | Aston University (B.Sc., First Class Honours) Stanford University (Executive Institute, 1983) |
| Occupations | Entrepreneur, investor |
| Known for | Senior executive at Symantec Corporation during acquisition of Peter Norton Computing and launch of Norton AntiVirus; founder of Manhattan Street Capital |
Turner is also the founder of Manhattan Street Capital, a U.S.-based platform for securities offerings under Regulation A+ and related exemptions, which has been covered in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and Global Finance.[5][6][7]
Early life and education
Turner was born in 1956 and raised in the United Kingdom. In 1972, he joined the Central Electricity Generating Board as an engineering apprentice, undertaking craft training at power stations. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree with First Class Honours in Energy Technology from Aston University in England, completing his studies in 1979. He later completed the Executive Institute programme at Stanford University in 1983.[2][1][3]
Career
Ashton-Tate (1982–1984)
In 1982, Turner joined Ashton-Tate, a database software company known for its dBASE product line, as Vice President of U.S. marketing and sales and General Manager of the International Division. Ashton-Tate completed an initial public offering on the NASDAQ in 1983.[1][2][3]
Microport Software (1984–1990)
In 1984, Turner co-founded Microport Software, Inc., serving as chairman through 1990. The company focused on porting UNIX System V to Intel 286-based microcomputer architectures.[1][3]
Symantec Corporation (1985–1993)
Turner joined Symantec Corporation in 1985 and served in senior executive roles through 1993. He initially held the position of Executive Vice President for worldwide marketing, sales, and product management. Following a reorganisation of Symantec into autonomous product divisions in 1986, Turner was promoted to Division General Manager in May 1987. Symantec received venture capital financing led by Kleiner Perkins, with John Doerr as lead investor, and completed an initial public offering on the NASDAQ in 1989.[1][2][4]
In 1990, Symantec acquired Peter Norton Computing, maker of Norton Utilities, and Turner was appointed General Manager of the combined Norton business unit. Under his management, Norton AntiVirus was introduced in 1991. Turner also oversaw the acquisitions of PCAnywhere and an antivirus technology company into the Norton Group.[1][2][4][3]
Knowledge Adventure (1993–1994)
From 1993 to 1994, Turner served as president and chief executive officer of Knowledge Adventure, an educational software company. During his tenure, Turner raised venture capital financing from Mayfield Fund.[2][1][3]
Mobile Automation (1996–2004)
In 1996, Turner founded Mobile Automation, a company developing software for automated network configuration and management. The company received financing from Peter Norton and Greylock Partners, and was acquired by iPass Inc. (NASDAQ: IPAS) in November 2004.[1][4][3]
Irvine Ventures (1999–2003)
From 1999 to 2003, Turner served as Managing Partner of Irvine Ventures, a venture capital firm he co-founded with Safi Qureshey. Through the firm, Turner invested in companies including Ask Jeeves (NASDAQ: ASKJ), Amyris (NASDAQ: AMRS), Bloom Energy, and eASIC.[1][4]
Artslant (2008–2020)
Turner served as chairman and chief executive officer of Artslant, an online arts platform, from September 2008. He continued as chairman through 2020.[1][3]
START.ac (2011–2013)
Turner founded START.ac in April 2011 and served as its chief executive officer until June 2013. START.ac was a crowdfunding marketplace designed to connect startups with mentors and advisers.[2][3]
Advisory roles
Turner has served in advisory and board capacities across a range of companies, including as chairman and co-founder of CirrusLS, a SaaS bank lending platform, and as adviser to AssistMyCase, NetQuarry, and Our Neighborhood Energy, an electricity retailer in Australia that was subsequently acquired by CBD Energy Australia. Turner has also been associated with Workshops for Warriors, a non-profit organisation providing vocational training to military veterans.[1][4]
Manhattan Street Capital (2015–present)
In 2015, Turner founded Manhattan Street Capital, initially incorporated under the name FundAthena [8], as one of the first platforms focused on Regulation A+ offerings following the implementation of that framework under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act.[5][9] The company operates a web-based platform for companies seeking to raise capital under U.S. securities law exemptions including Regulation A+, Regulation D, and Regulation S.[9][10][6]
Turner has been cited in financial press as a commentator on Regulation A+ and alternative public offering structures.[7][11] Manhattan Street Capital was involved in a Regulation A+ capital raise for CubCrafters, an aircraft manufacturer, which received coverage in aviation industry press.[12] In 2024, the company launched RodBot, an artificial intelligence–based chatbot providing educational guidance on securities offerings.[13]
Media coverage
Turner has written on startup financing and capital markets regulation, including a 2012 article in VentureBeat on crowdfunding as an alternative to traditional venture capital.[3] He has been cited in the Wall Street Journal,[6] Forbes,[5][14][15] Global Finance,[7] and U.S. News & World Report.[16]