Tom Carmona
About Tom Carmona
Tom Carmona is a Partner and Principal Consultant currently working at CLYR and ID8 Innovation. He has a background in entrepreneurship and venture capital, with extensive experience in guiding innovation strategies and customer discovery processes.
Work at ID8 Innovation
Tom Carmona currently serves as Partner & Principal Consultant at ID8 Innovation, a role he has held since January 2024. Prior to this position, he worked at ID8 Innovation as Principal Consultant for two years, from 2022 to 2024. His responsibilities involve guiding innovation strategies and enhancing customer discovery processes. Carmona's elevation to Partner reflects his contributions to the firm's focus on innovation and venture success.
Current Roles and Responsibilities
In addition to his role at ID8 Innovation, Tom Carmona is also a Founding Team member and Interim CMO at CLYR, a position he has held since 2024. He is the Managing Director at Symphony Alpha Ventures, where he has worked since 2014. His current roles involve advising early-stage entrepreneurs and refining strategies for customer discovery and venture success.
Education and Expertise
Tom Carmona holds an MBA in Entrepreneurial Management from the Wisconsin School of Business. He also earned a BA in History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His academic background includes studies in Chilean History at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and Latin American History and Literature at Universidad San Francisco de Quito. This diverse educational foundation supports his expertise in entrepreneurship and venture capital.
Background in Venture Capital and Innovation
Carmona has a significant background in venture capital, having invested in various startups, including Hitch Works, Inc., Starchup, and GrocerKey. He has played a hands-on role in guiding the strategy of Encube.ai, which he successfully exited after its acquisition by ServiceNow. His focus on human insights and customer habits informs his approach to innovation and venture building.
Writings and Thought Leadership
Tom Carmona writes extensively about Artificial Intelligence and Innovation. His articles, such as 'Keeping Humans at the Center of Innovation' and 'A.I. and the Fundamental Force of Business,' explore the intersection of technology and human decision-making. He emphasizes the importance of early-stage exploration of customer preferences and the role of generalists in adapting to rapid changes in the business landscape.