Ike Kavas IKE KAVAS FOUNDER / CEO TIME MACHINE WHY: Grew up in small town in Turkey then left for America with $100 in his pocket saying, “Turkey was too small for me.” In 2010, founded Ephesoft, pioneering new ways to track documents using AI. Won 2022 Business Journal Innovator Read More
Anthony Katz ANTHONY KATZ FOUNDER, PRESIDENT HYPERICE WHY: Founded sports recovery technology company that’s been used by some of the top athletes in the world, including the late Kobe Bryant who helped test the product. Other users include Lebron James and Blake Griffin. Designed an air-release valve to compress ice Read More
Kyle Kamrooz KYLE KAMROOZ CO-FOUNDER / CEO BONUS HOMES WHY: By age 25, had built one of the largest direct-to-consumer lending companies in Orange County. Developed the Intelligent Mortgage Platform that would become Cloudvirga, where he raised more than $77M; acquired by Stewart Information Services Corp. (NYSE:STC). Has been involved Read More
Jason Huang JASON HUANG FOUNDER / CEO TS CONDUCTOR CORP. WHY: Leads Huntington Beach-based company TS Conductor, seeking role in huge electric grid. Says its high-capacity power lines with a carbon fiber core “can carry up to triple the electricity” compared to the older technology. IN THE NEWS: Holds a Read More
Chris Harrison CHRIS HARRISON CO-FOUNDER / MANAGING PARTNER DAUNTLESS CAPITAL PARTNERS WHY: Grandson of Bill Marriott, who became known for building the Marriott brand. In 2020, left a 15-year hospitality career at Marriott International as an operator and executive to co-found Dauntless, which focuses on acquiring and managing primarily premium Read More
John Harris JOHN HARRIS CO-FOUNDER / CEO HARBINGER MOTORS INC. WHY: In 2021, co-founded maker of custom-outfitted stripped chassis—a vehicle’s supporting frame and motor—for delivery vans, other medium-duty electric trucks and recreational vehicles (RVs). Says Harbinger Motors is building the first medium-duty chassis designed from the ground up. Moved the manufacturer Read More
Julian Hamood JULIAN HAMOOD FOUNDER TRUSTED TECH TEAM WHY: Founder of Microsoft partner Trusted Tech Team. Calls himself Trusted Team’s chief visionary officer. 2014 graduate of California State University, Fullerton with a degree in business, management, marketing and related support services. Company plans further expansion in Europe this year and Read More
Gupta at the Business Journal’s Innovator of the Year Awards last year ARUN GUPTA EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN BIG HEALTH WHY: Head of app maker focused on developing non-drug options for common mental health conditions. Joined the company’s board in 2019 before being named CEO in 2022. Runs the San Francisco-based company Read More
Ray Grainger RAY GRAINGER EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN KANTATA WHY: Spent 17 years at Accenture, including global managing partner in professional services. Founded Mavenlink to reinvent the way services businesses work by simplifying enterprise workflows. Was on Deloitte Technology Fast 500 for three straight years. Merged with Kimble Applications in 2022 and Read More
KAYE GITIBIN KAVOUS GITIBIN CO-FOUNDER / CEO CO-FOUNDER / PRESIDENT GO RENTALS GO RENTALS Kaye GitibinCo-founder/CEOGo Rentals Kavous GitibinCo-founder,PresidentGo Rentals WHY: Two brothers co-founded Newport Beach-based “lifestyle” rental car service in that has successfully navigated three major national recessions and a global pandemic over 30 years. Grown from one outpost Read More
