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Inventing What's Next
The most exciting time to build software companies is when everything is changing. And right now—thanks to breakthroughs in AI —everything is.
I started Athene Partners because I love the act of creation. Not advising, but actually helping invent new companies, new products, and new markets. I work closely with a small number of CEOs and founding teams, investing not just capital, but energy, time, and conviction in the journeys I believe in with people I believe in.
Over the years, I’ve helped build products and businesses used by billions. I’ve led engineering teams, scaled GTM engines, shaped company culture, reimagined business models, and served as CEO and Board Chair. But what excites me most today is the opportunity to build at the earliest stages—when the slate is still blank, and the potential is enormous.
Athene Partners is now focused on exactly that: forming and scaling purpose-driven software companies born into this era of technological and business model transformation. I bring the full toolkit—from product and pricing to hiring and board dynamics—and I show up as a hands-on partner. That means deep dives in product reviews, calls with customers, hard conversations with teams, and strategic planning that actually moves the needle.
Each quarter, we align on what matters most—then I dig in and help make it real. I’ve always believed that execution is where strategy becomes truth, and that great outcomes come from building with people you genuinely enjoy and respect.
I started Athene because I love working with passionate teams on meaningful quests—to know more, do more, and be more. If that’s your path, let’s build what’s next—together.
What Great CEOs Say
“I have worked with Bill for many years and continue to learn from him. I can always count on Bill to bring energy and thoughtful insight to everything he engages on. He connects product and go-to-market in a way few people can.”
- Satya Nadella (CEO, Microsoft)
"I have worked with many great leaders over the years and Bill stands out in his ability to see the broader picture and then go deep to drive transformation with speed and focus, catalyzing change from people to product to partnerships to financial architecture. He was a wonderful partner for me."
- Meg Whitman (CEO, eBay, HP, Quibi)
"Bill is one of those rare people who is able to elevate the performance of a leadership team by creating strategic clarity, reinforcing operational excellence, and amplifying the power of teamwork. He is purpose-driven. He is passionate. He is a servant leader. "
- Kevin Johnson (CEO, Juniper Networks, Starbucks)
"Bill stands in a class of his own among thought partners who can help navigate the challenges encountered by leaders in a hyper growth environment. Bill has brought an invaluable level of clarity through some of Color's most strategic decisions at the intersection of leadership, commercial strategy, and the promise we make to our customers. Few people match Bill's ability to apply timeless principles gleaned from experience to the unique nuances of each business to bring clarity of thought and action. He does his work with empathy, curiosity, and a smile, working not only with me but forming great partnerships with my leadership team"
- Othman Laraki (Co-Founder/CEO Color Health)
"When Bill presents his well considered thoughts everyone reaches for their pens and paper and gets to work on his suggestions. He is especially good at coaching execs on Product and Marketing strategies and people issues. It was an absolute pleasure to work with Bill, learn from his broad experience at the top of the IT industry and enjoy his sense of humour and high energy. Any company and company founder would be lucky to have Bill alongside them."
- Rod Drury (Founder/CEO, Xero)
Bill is a compelling blend of humility and intensity backed by clear thought.
His crisp questions and perspectives particularly in product and marketing are second to none and guided me in setting the strategic direction of my company, Fingermark, in a way that no could. Against the backdrop of Covid, we entered the US and global markets and won. He challenged me and supported me as a founder, as a strategic thinker, as a product leader. I often refer to Bill as my "sensei" and the term fits perfectly.
- Luke Irving (Founder/CEO, FingerMark AI
“As founder and CEO of a fast growing start-up, Bill has been an invaluable partner for me as I charted the course for Embroker. His ability to think multi-dimensionally, from product to GTM, people to operating model, and then dive into the weeds of execution sets an incredibly high bar for operating excellence, one that I have learned and benefitted from greatly. Finally, he is just fun to work with, always bringing insight, wisdom, and a smile to our discussions.”
- Matt Miller (Founder/CEO, Embroker)
"Bill possesses great wisdom born of experience that is broad in scope and traverses from the most universal strategic questions to detailed execution. He frames the big issues with incredible insight and then moves to action quickly. He is unique in his ability to communicate deep and wide across all functions and does so with intensity, humility, and passion. Everyone looks forward to interacting with Bill because he makes us better. He has increased the company's value significantly and is a great partner for me."
- Jeff Hudson (CEO, Venafi, Vhayu Technologies, MS2)
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