Arlington, VA — June 02, 2023

‍IQT's CEO Chris Darby announced in May, at IQT's annual CEO Summit that, after almost 17 years in the position, he will step down as CEO in September. Existing President, Steve Bowsher, has been appointed as the organization's next CEO and member of the Board of Trustees, effective September 8, 2023. Darby will remain with the company through the transition and will continue to serve as a member of the Board of Trustees.

Darby joined IQT in 2006, bringing a new vision and discipline to IQT's work, establishing an architectural view of strategic investing by focusing first on the mission-needs of its government partners. Under his leadership, the organization developed partnerships with additional U.S. government agencies; extended to global markets, including in the UK and Australia; and advanced the national security technological capabilities for the U.S. and its allies.

Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) offered, "One of the most important issues facing not only our country, but our world today is how we invest in, innovate on, and harness emerging technologies that will affect not only our economic competitiveness but our national security. Under Chris Darby, In-Q-Tel has been at the forefront of the effort to ensure sustained leadership by the United States and our international partners in critical technology ecosystems. His unique perspectives on technology investing, strategic foresight passion, and patriotism, have made him a trusted voice both within the private sector and at the highest levels of our government."

"When our nation needed a visionary person who could look down the road to foresee problems our country and our intelligence agencies would need to solve through technology, Chris Darby was the best possible choice. Chris's leadership at In-Q-Tel, and the extraordinary talent he developed with the men and women there, has kept the United States at the front of innovation and technology breakthroughs. The next two decades will see new technology appear at breakneck speeds, and that will all build on the platforms that Chris has found, nurtured, or helped create. Chris has been a trusted source of information, a good friend, and a tireless advocate for advancing the national security of the United States. I look forward to continuing to work with him in his next career, and I thank him for his service," said Richard Burr, former Senator and Chairman.

Steve Bowsher plans to continue this momentum as CEO, having worked alongside Darby for 16 years at IQT. Darby recruited Bowsher in 2007 to help widen the organization's understanding and aperture of technological developments and innovation hubs in the U.S. and globally. Bowsher brought his experience as an executive at E*TRADE and as general partner of Interwest, a Silicon Valley based venture capital firm, and served as IQT's Managing General Partner until 2021 when he became President.

"Appointing Steve as IQT's next CEO is the culmination of a succession plan that the Board and I have been working towards the past three years," offered Chris Darby, IQT CEO. "I believe that the organization will be in incredibly capable hands under his leadership and look forward to the ongoing mission focus and impact that IQT delivers." 

"I am proud of the work that Chris and I have achieved throughout our long history together at IQT and am honored to take the helm as its next CEO," stated Steve Bowsher. "We have a dedicated Board, a committed and talented workforce, and trusted partners. I look forward to leading this amazing organization into its next 25 years." 

More information about IQT's Executive Team and its Board of Trustees is found here.

About IQT

IQT is the non-profit strategic investor that government intelligence and defense agencies have relied upon for nearly 25 years to anticipate their technology questions and needs and achieve solutions. IQT sources, invests in, and accelerates cutting-edge technologies from the commercial startup community to strengthen the security of the U.S. and its allies. For more information visit www.iqt.org.

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