Higgerson, Clifford

2016 Distinguished Alumni Award

For vision and leadership in the world of research and venture investing, especially related to the telecommunications industry

Cliff Higgerson is an advisor to Artiman Ventures and Illuminate Ventures and their portfolio companies. Cliff has more than 35 years of experience in research, consulting, planning and venture investing. Combining the market insight of an analyst with a keen ability to identify blockbuster technologies early in their development, Cliff has backed some of the most successful companies in the communications industry. He focuses his investments on telecommunications with an emphasis on carrier systems and equipment.

Current board seats and investments include Agiliance, CafeX, Conduce, Geronimo Energy, Ventacity and Xtera Communications. Prior investments include such industry leaders as Advanced Fibre Communications, America Online, Ciena, Digital Island, Digital Microwave, Tellabs, MCI, Octel, and Tut Systems.

Cliff was a founding partner of ComVentures and a general partner with Vanguard Venture Partners. He has also served as a managing partner and director of research for Hambrecht & Quist, and as a special limited partner and director of the communications group for L.F. Rothschild, Unterberg, Towbin.

Cliff holds an MBA from the University of California at Berkeley and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois.