SkySQL raises additional two million Euros from California Technology Ventures.
SkySQL Ab, the first choice in affordable database solutions for the MySQL® and MariaDB® databases in the enterprise and the cloud, today announced the appointment of Patrik Sallner as CEO, effective July 1, 2012, as well as an additional €2 million in Series A funding from California Technology Ventures, LLC (CTV).
Sallner, charged with steering the company’s next phase of open source database products and services into the cloud, comes to SkySQL with a track record of building international software and services businesses. He was most recently VP of Professional Services at F-Secure Corporation, where he built the cloud storage business with communication service providers globally.
“I am looking forward to Patrik joining our team,” said Ulf Sandberg, current CEO at SkySQL Ab. “We’ve achieved tremendous success since our inception, with hundreds of paying customers who rely on our first-class services for the MariaDB & MySQL databases. Patrik’s unique experience in building cloud businesses will bring us the additional management muscle we need as we transition from a services company to a fully fledged database software and services provider for the enterprise and the cloud.”
“There is a great wealth of open source database technology knowledge at SkySQL, with a talented team that provides top-class open source database solutions,” said Sallner. “I am excited to lead SkySQL and look forward to working both with employees and partners to develop a compelling cloud and enterprise offering that will spur growth in this exciting market.”
As VP of Professional Services at F-Secure, Sallner delivered cloud storage solutions to the largest telecommunications operators globally. He joined F-Secure in 2010 where he was previously responsible for the Storage and Mobile Business Units. Prior to that, Sallner built up the Hosting Line of Business in Nokia Siemens Networks. He also held a number of strategy and global business development roles at Nokia and McKinsey. Sallner holds a Master of Science degree in Technology Management from Helsinki University of Technology and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
“I am pleased to announce the appointment of Patrik Sallner as CEO of SkySQL,” said Ralf Wahlsten, Chairman of the SkySQL Board. “Along with his international business building experience, he has a strong strategic background in software and services. SkySQL has grown exponentially since in the past 18 months, and I am confident that Patrik will successfully lead the next phase of SkySQL’s development.
SkySQL also announced today that CTV, a venture capital fund that makes direct investments in technology and life science companies globally, invested an additional €2 million as part of the company’s recent A round of funding. With this latest investment, SkySQL has collected €6 million to fund further growth.
“I congratulate Patrik on his appointment, and I can’t think of a better time to start working with SkySQL, an innovative and fast growing company,” said Alex Suh, Founding Managing Director at CTV, who will also join SkySQL’s Board of Directors. “With a significant core of the original MySQL AB team, the company has the knowledge and experience needed to make a difference in the Cloud and the Big Data space.”
Current SkySQL CEO Ulf Sandberg will now serve as President of SkySQL Inc., leading the company’s operations in the Americas.
California Technology Ventures, LLC (www.CTVentures.com) is a venture capital fund that makes direct investments in technology and life science companies. CTV has built a strong reputation for its entrepreneurial approach to investing and working with companies. They believe in guiding entrepreneurs through the strategic, operational, and management decisions critical to a company’s success.
SkySQL Ab, the company behind the SkySQL™ Enterprise subscription, is the first choice in affordable MariaDB® & MySQL® database solutions for the enterprise and cloud. Founded by former executives, personnel, and investors of MySQL AB, SkySQL Ab is an open source software company committed to furthering the future development of MySQL-based database technologies, while delivering cost-effective database solutions and exceptional customer service. SkySQL Ab’s customers include ATOS Worldline, Canal+, Deutsche Telekom, ClubMed, Lotte.com, La Poste, Constant Contact and Virgin Mobile. SkySQL’s worldwide headquarters is located in Helsinki, Finland. The company has operations in Asia, Europe and North America.
MySQL is a registered trademark of Oracle and/or its affiliates. MariaDB is a registered trademark of Monty Program Ab.
SkySQL and the SkySQL logo are trademarks of SkySQL Inc. or SkySQL Ab. SkySQL is not affiliated with MySQL. All other company and product names may be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.
