Brian De Haaff
About Brian De Haaff
Brian De Haaff is the Co-founder and CEO of Aha!, the world's #1 product development software, and the author of the bestseller 'Lovability'. He has a career dedicated to building great products at both emerging and well-established software companies.
Company Profile: Aha!
Brian De Haaff is the Co-founder and CEO of Aha!, the world's leading product development software company. Aha! is headquartered in Menlo Park but operates fully remotely, earning recognition as one of the best remote companies to work for. Under his leadership, Aha! has built and launched several tools, including Aha! Roadmaps, Aha! Ideas, Aha! Whiteboards, Aha! Knowledge, and Aha! Develop. Additionally, the company provides training programs through Aha! Academy to help product teams succeed. Since its inception in 2013, Aha! has been committed to its philanthropic initiative, Aha! Cares, donating over $1 million to people in need.
Professional Background and Experience
Brian De Haaff has extensive experience in the technology sector, having founded or been an early employee of six technology companies. From 2010 to 2013, he served as VP, Product Line at Citrix's Online Services Division. Previously, he was the Co-founder and CEO of Paglo, which was acquired by Citrix. His career includes roles as CEO of Network Chemistry, which was acquired by Aruba Networks, and Senior Director at Netli, acquired by Akamai. He has held various product management roles at RouteScience, Concentric Network, and more. This background has established him as an expert in building impactful software products.
Education and Expertise
Brian De Haaff holds a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, and an M.S. in Marketing from Northwestern University. His educational background has provided a solid foundation for his career in product management and marketing. He is recognized for pioneering The Responsive Method (TRM), a framework that emphasizes a goal-first approach, being interrupt-driven, and the importance of kindness and transparency in business.
Authorship and Thought Leadership
Brian De Haaff is the author of the bestseller 'Lovability,' published in April 2017. The book outlines his approach to building businesses that prioritize people and profit without external investment. He additionally writes a biweekly LinkedIn newsletter titled 'The Startup Adventure,' which has garnered 65,000 subscribers. Through his writing and speaking engagements, Brian provides insights into product and company growth, advocating for the Bootstrap Movement and sustainable business practices that focus on kindness and transparency.