GreenBeat 2009, The Conference on the Smart Grid

Peter Wagner has worked in technology since the mid-1980’s, as a physicist, line manager and venture investor. At Accel, Peter Wagner focuses in the Information Technology and Energy sectors, investing in start-up ventures as well as growth-stage companies. His interests in IT include digital media, virtualization, computing, storage, networking and mobility. In addition, Peter Wagner also helps lead Accel’s activity in the Energy sector, where his interests include renewable energy, nuclear power, energy storage, “smart grid”, energy management and efficiency, “green”social media and electric transportation.

Since joining Accel in 1996, Peter Wagner has led investments in dozens of early stage companies, many of which have gone on to complete IPO’s or successful acquisitions. These include Acopia Networks (acquired by F5), Airgo Networks (acquired by Qualcomm), Amber Networks (acquired by Nokia), Arrowpoint Communications (IPO 3/00, subsequently acquired by Cisco), Broadjump (IPO 6/04 after merger with Motive, subsequently acquired by Alcatel-Lucent), iBEAM Broadcasting (IPO 5/00, subsequently acquired by Williams), Infinera (IPO 6/07), New Edge Networks (acquired by Earthlink), Northpoint Communications (IPO 5/99, subsequently acquired by ATT), Peribit Networks (acquired by Juniper), Tellium (IPO 5/01), TiMetra Networks (acquired by Alcatel), Topspin Communications (acquired by Cisco), Transitive (acquired by IBM) and Trapeze Networks (acquired by Belden). Peter Wagner was also part of the team responsible for Accel’s investments in Redback Networks (IPO 5/99, subsequently acquired by Ericsson) and Motive (IPO 6/04, subsequently acquired by Alcatel-Lucent).

Peter Wagner currently serves on the Board of Directors at Altor Networks, Consentry Networks, Kickfire, Nimble Storage, Omneon Video Networks, ON Networks and Wichorus (in process of being acquired by Tellabs). In addition to his US-focused investment activity, Peter Wagner led Accel’s original initiatives in India culminating in the formation of Accel India in 2008. He has a deep interest in the region and works closely with the Accel India team on investments and strategy. Peter Wagner is also a member of the investment committee of Meritech Capital Partners, an affiliate of Accel focused on later-stage venture investing. Prior to joining Accel, Peter Wagner was a line manager at Silicon Graphics, responsible for several generations of digital media and graphics workstation products. Before Silicon Graphics, Peter Wagner worked with McKinsey and Company, consulting to market leaders in technology, energy, aerospace and financial services. Peter Wagner began his career as a physicist working in nuclear fusion research and aerospace. Peter Wagner is a Director and past President of the Western Association of Venture Capitalists. He holds an A.B. in Physics from Harvard College, summa cum laude, and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School, where he was a Baker Scholar.