Bio

Richard Dale is COO of Optum Labs, the health care industry’s first open research and innovation facility, designed solely around the goal of improving patient care.

Previously Richard was a Principal at Sigma Partners where he was a member of the deal team and also worked on special projects for the benefit of the entire portfolio. Richard came to the VC world after a long period as an entrepreneur and startup executive. He co-founded and had various leadership roles at Phase Forward, a provider of software services for pharmaceutical clinical trials which went public and later was sold to Oracle.

Prior to that, Richard was VP Operations for Vermeer Technologies, creators of FrontPage which was acquired by Microsoft in 1996. Prior to Vermeer, Richard held roles in professional services management, senior product management and IS management at some of industry’s best technology companies including SQL Solutions, Sybase, Epoch Systems (acquired by EMC) and MicroTouch Systems. Richard also provided early stage advice and consulting to FirstSense, OnDisplay, Vignette and QXL.com.

Richard’s career began as a software engineer and database expert, and he has maintained a strong interest in data and application technologies.

Richard’s proven leadership abilities combined with deep technical and operational expertise provide a platform to advise entrepreneurs in building solid technology companies. Richard is a well-regarded mentor to founders of early stage startups in the region, including many from TechStars Boston, MassChallenge, and HealthBox Boston.