Mr. Blackburn has an extensive background in and a passion for partnering with investors, company leadership and intermediaries in all aspects of organic and inorganic sustainable value creation.

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Currently as Partner, and advisor to Boards and management teams, Robert leverages his experiences in creating disruptive innovations, business strategies, and transformational leadership to scale businesses in healthcare, industrial technology, software and infrastructure. He also serves as Chairman, Radical Plastics Inc., a biodegradable materials company in agriculture and packaging and Chairman, Palacajo Technology LLC.

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Robert’s 25-year career as an entrepreneur creating, leading, building, scaling and advising businesses in software & cybersecurity, healthcare and industrial technologies spans small & medium to large cap enterprises. As a founder, owner/investor, and subsequently as President & CEO in mid- and large cap companies, Robert has the experience of several successful exits to both “strategics” and private equity. The businesses he has led and/or supervised provided the rich, diverse experience of having lived in 5 countries on 3 continents.

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Robert served as CEO of The Hoffmann Group, a global distributor and manufacturer of engineered products after many years as President at BASF SE, an integrated materials and chemicals company. Prior to BASF he served as SVP at Siemens AG, industrial & healthcare technology leader and as SVP & Executive Officer of Stanley Black & Decker, consumer goods manufacturer. Robert started his career at Deloitte LLP, before joining client IBM Corp., years later becoming VP & General Manager, leading businesses in IBM’s Software & Semiconductor Groups.

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Robert has also served as Chairman, Elemica, Inc, (SaaS), Board Director, Beumer Group (industrial software & technology), Advisory Board Member, BASF and co-Founded Soteryan Inc. (cybersecurity). A graduate of the IBM General Manager Academy, the University of Pennsylvania Wharton’s and Oxford Said’s executive programs, Robert also received his M.S. from the University of Virginia and B.S. from the Universities of Heidelberg (Germany) and Maryland.Robert is active in several healthcare and community engagement focused philanthropic organizations.

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