Proto has announced that Todd Bouman has taken the role of CEO. The electronics industry veteran was chosen by Proto inventor, and founding CEO, David Nussbaum, who steps up into the role as chair.
Bouman was most recently president, CEO and chair of Sharp/NEC Display Solutions, Americas. Under his continued leadership, Bouman was instrumental in leading the joint-venture integration of the America’s business with Sharp Electronics.
Bouman is tasked with driving exponential growth for hologram-company Proto, drawing from his experiences working at global tech companies in the consumer and commercial hardware and services industry.
Nussbaum will continue to be the company’s visionary, shaping strategy and driving more innovation. He’ll expand his efforts in fundraising, presence at top industry events, creation of content partnerships, and industry thought leadership.
The change comes after a record year for revenue, the launch of Proto’s new hologram devices – the full-size Proto Luma and desk-top sized M2 – and increasing adoption of its AI tools across many industries including finance, enterprise, healthcare, education, retail, hospitality, sports and entertainment. Proto is launching its Series B fundraise in Q2 to accelerate new development initiatives and market growth.
David Nussbaum, founder of Proto, said: “As the founder, Proto is like a child to me. Entrusting it to someone else wasn’t a decision I took lightly. I needed absolute confidence that the new leader had the experience and proven ability to take my vision for Proto to the next level. Todd Bouman is that person. With his dynamic leadership, I’m confident he’ll help fulfil my mission of making Proto Hologram technology an essential part of daily life. Proto has already accomplished more than I could have dreamed when I was back in my living room trying to invent something people said would only happen in the future. Todd is the kind of transformational leader who can make sure that future is now.”
Bouman also possesses a wealth of experience from previous roles with Samsung and HP. At Samsung, Bouman led key product growth initiatives in the consumer and commercial notebook market. At HP, Bouman was instrumental in managing and growing HP’s ultralight notebook product category.
Todd Bouman, CEO of Proto, added: “Proto is poised as an industry leader to revolutionise the way we interact with digital content. I am thrilled to lead this extraordinarily innovative company as it scales its transformative technology to new heights. My experience in driving growth and innovation will help us accelerate Proto’s mission – and David’s original futuristic vision – of making holographic technology accessible to everyone.”
Proto has had a steady flow of news in recent months including the beginning of doctor-patient hologram appointments, announced at UC Berkeley and already expanding across the network of clinics run by West Cancer Center. The deployment of the first hologram ad network at 30 premier Simon mall locations and growing to 100 by Q4 also made headlines.
Nussbaum, added: “Proto is all about bringing people together – giving them real presence when they can’t be together across space or time – remember, William Shatner called Proto a time machine. We’ve got our Series B raise approaching, exciting collaborations with some of the most well known companies on earth, and a roadmap of development that will make Proto the solution for even more needs. Whether you’re a partner, customer, investor or just someone who is excited by discovering what’s changing the world next, we’ll keep hustling to impress you.”
