John Denny Brown
About John Denny Brown
John Denny Brown serves as the Director of Corporate Development at Coda Payments, where he has worked since 2020. He has a diverse background in corporate development, finance, and strategy, with experience at various multinational companies and startups.
Work at Coda Payments
John Denny Brown serves as the Director of Corporate Development at Coda Payments, a position he has held since 2020. In this role, he has established the corporate development function, focusing on mergers and acquisitions as well as strategic investments. He played a significant role in Coda's US$690 million funding round in 2022, demonstrating his expertise in corporate finance and investment strategies. Brown also led the acquisition of the mobile esports platform BAASH from CAPSL Entertainment Ltd in 2021. His responsibilities include cultivating relationships across the ecosystem and liaising with Coda's executive committee and board.
Education and Expertise
John Denny Brown has a strong educational background. He earned an MBA from INSEAD, which is recognized for its rigorous business programs. He also studied at the Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Rouen, focusing on French Studies. Additionally, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University - Kelley School of Business, where he studied Finance and International Studies, along with a French minor. This diverse educational foundation supports his expertise in corporate development and strategic investments.
Professional Background
Before joining Coda Payments, John Denny Brown held various positions that contributed to his extensive experience in corporate development. He worked at Motorola Solutions in a finance leadership rotational program from 2004 to 2009. He then transitioned to Motorola Mobility as a Strategy Manager from 2009 to 2011. Following this, he served as an Associate in Equity Research at Bank of America from 2012 to 2015 in London. He later worked at GLG as the Business Development lead for the West Coast Tech vertical from 2016 to 2018. His career spans large multinationals, startups, and investment banks.
Mentorship at Techstars
Since 2019, John Denny Brown has been a mentor at Techstars, contributing his knowledge and experience to support startups in their growth and development. His mentorship role, which is conducted remotely, allows him to share insights gained from his extensive background in corporate development and finance. This involvement reflects his commitment to fostering innovation and guiding emerging companies through the challenges of the startup ecosystem.