Interim CEO
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Rick Valencia is a respected global entrepreneur and corporate executive with nearly 30 years of experience creating, scaling, and exiting companies at the intersection of technology, healthcare, and innovation. Known for his visionary leadership and bold execution, Rick has played a foundational role in the creation of two new industries—Enterprise Telecom Management and Digital Health. His expertise spans market disruption, strategic partnerships, M&A, and culture-building, making him a trusted advisor, operator, and board member for both startups and established organizations.
Rick launched his first company in his late 20s, scaling it from his garage to a global team of 250 managing over $2B in annual telecom assets before it was acquired. As a Fortune 500 senior executive at Qualcomm, he founded Qualcomm Life, where he partnered with leading healthcare and life sciences companies to launch breakthrough digital health solutions. He also co-founded two $100M venture funds—Qualcomm Life Fund and dRx Capital AG (with Novartis)—investing in transformative startups like Fitbit, Kardia Mobile, and Telcare.
Beyond the boardroom, Rick remains deeply committed to supporting early-stage founders, serving as an angel investor and operating partner at Analytics Ventures. He sits on numerous boards, including Curebound and the TL Foundation, and enjoys mentoring leaders who are building with purpose. A San Diego local, Rick spends his downtime skiing, traveling, exploring great wines, and giving back through philanthropic ventures.
 Connect is a mission-driven 501c3 non-profit organization
