By Operators. For Operators

About our Founder, Andrew Steele

As both an operating executive and 3-time co-founder & CEO, Andrew has led start-ups from concept through scale-up, contributed to exits that generated over $500M in returns, and created category leadership in the B2B SaaS, mobile technology, medical device, and healthcare IT sectors. Andrew founded Growthplane to bring that experience to help other leaders accelerate their path to growth.

As a start-up CEO, he led the growth and market expansion for LighthousePE, a location-based mobile engagement platform, and led commercialization for Breezing, a patented and FDA cleared wearable device that delivers gold-standard metabolic data for use in the treatment of obesity-linked chronic disease. In 2015, he co-founded BeckonCall, a clinical communication platform that improves patient outcomes and quality of care by automating message routing between patients, hospitals and providers.

Andrew previously led multiple startups in the Silicon Valley, including co-founding Truedomain, an email security platform to combat email-based identity theft, and leading Knoodle as CEO, a SaaS-based B2B collaborative learning platform developed in partnership with SK Telecom. Earlier in his career, Andrew held strategy, sales, marketing and business development leadership roles with Terayon Communication Systems (acquired by Motorola), MetaTV (acquired by Comcast), WebTV (acquired by Microsoft), and MCI Communications (acquired by WorldCom).

Andrew earned a BBA in International Finance & Marketing from the University of Miami with Honors, and an MBA with a concentration in Corporate Finance & Strategy from the J. Mack Robinson School of Business at Georgia State University. He is an active mentor and coach with the Arizona Commerce Authority, Arizona Innovation Challenge and Venture Ready Programs, and has contributed his time and stewardship to multiple non-profit organizations, including SEED SPOT, The Foundation for Blind Children, Read Better Be Better, and the Board of Stewards for the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation at Taliesin West.

What Colleagues Are Saying

I recently used Growthplane's consulting services, and I was truly impressed. They had an in-depth understanding of the industry and were able to provide valuable insights and strategies that helped me grow my business. Highly recommend!

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I had the distinct pleasure of serving as a mentor and EIR to Andrew Steele following Breezing’s Arizona Innovation Challenge (Venture Ready) award. I found Andrew to check all the boxes one wants to see in a CEO leader. I witnessed his innate sense for business development and commercialization with a value proposition/customer orientation focus. His communication skills are outstanding. He is a team builder; as well as a team player.

Keith Stoneback - Healthcare executive, mentor and board member

While I have known Andrew professionally for more then ten years I finally had the distinct pleasure of working with him at the same company while at Knoodle. Regardless of Andrew's actual position, he always takes a leadership role. He is someone you want on your team. He thinks strategically and executives tactically, establishing objectives and then achieving them. He clearly defined the product roadmap at Knoodle and then successfully created an online customer acquisition model that significantly grew the business.

Michael Rose - Partner, Better Food Ventures

Andrew is a well-rounded, natural leader with strong business acumen and technical know-how, tempered by emotional intelligence. This combination makes for successful businesses and long-standing relationships. I've known Andrew for about a decade now, and I've enjoyed every opportunity I'd had to work with him as my client. He's a star spokesperson, which makes a PR pro's job much easier, and understands and appreciates how the media works. On top of being a stellar executive who's not afraid of getting into the trenches, he's a super likable guy.

Margaret Huang - PR alchemist | Comms strategist | Writer

I was the Events/Tradeshow Consultant for Terayon Communications where Andrew was the VP of Marketing & Business Developement. Andrew's knowledge of industry trends at a technical and business level is excellent. I found Andrew to be a supportive leader and a respected manager - I would gladly work for him again.

Linda Lavin - Owner, L3 Marketing

Andrew is a great leader and mentor. He has a unique skill set, a strategic thinker with strong technical knowledge. This is a great combination for business development and sales leaders. Andrew is a highly motivated results oriented person. In addition, he as excellent interpersonal and organizational skills. He expects nothing but the best. Andrew would be a great addition to any organization.

Marjorie Lassen-Hoch - Senior Director Marketing, Comcast Business

Andrew had the courage and vision to transcend the innovators’ dilemma at Terayon. He relentlessly focused on scaling a small successful product group into a diversified operation. Andrew has very strong communication skills. He is also a savvy negotiator. Andrew will be a valuable addition to companies looking for breakthrough growth in disruptive market conditions.

Babu Niranjan - Product Management, Technology, and Strategy Leader

I enjoyed working for Andrew and found him to be an excellent manager with knowledge at both technical & business levels. Andrew has the ability to positively influence any organization's strategic goals at multiple levels and would be a great addition to any company. I could say many great things about Andrew, but the one thing that stands out, is he never let me down. Andrew delivers! When Andrew says it is going to get done, it does. Andrew 's ability to come through, even in challenging and demanding circumstances, is matched only by his charm, intelligence, and genuine likability. I would never pass up a chance to work with Andrew anytime - anywhere.

Elizabeth Botes - Executive Consultant Brisbane Digital Consulting Group

Andrew is simply a superb business professional. He has a strong strategic orientation, strong financial sensibilities, and proven product and marketing competence. His can assess, frame up and articulate concepts very quickly and effectively. I've worked with Andrew at WebTV/Microsoft, Terayon, and Barco Partners - and am consistently impressed with his abilities to focus and manage complex negotiations, initiate and drive key relationships, and successfully organize and lead teams. In my book, he's an absolutely A player.

Jeff Barco - CEO, Barco Partners

I had the distinct pleasure of serving as a mentor and EIR to Andrew Steele following Breezing’s Arizona Innovation Challenge (Venture Ready) award. I found Andrew to check all the boxes one wants to see in a CEO leader. I witnessed his innate sense for business development and commercialization with a value proposition/customer orientation focus. His communication skills are outstanding. He is a team builder; as well as a team player.

Keith Stoneback - Healthcare executive, mentor and board member

While I have known Andrew professionally for more then ten years I finally had the distinct pleasure of working with him at the same company while at Knoodle. Regardless of Andrew's actual position, he always takes a leadership role. He is someone you want on your team. He thinks strategically and executives tactically, establishing objectives and then achieving them. He clearly defined the product roadmap at Knoodle and then successfully created an online customer acquisition model that significantly grew the business.

Michael Rose - Partner, Better Food Ventures

Andrew is a well-rounded, natural leader with strong business acumen and technical know-how, tempered by emotional intelligence. This combination makes for successful businesses and long-standing relationships. I've known Andrew for about a decade now, and I've enjoyed every opportunity I'd had to work with him as my client. He's a star spokesperson, which makes a PR pro's job much easier, and understands and appreciates how the media works. On top of being a stellar executive who's not afraid of getting into the trenches, he's a super likable guy.

Margaret Huang - PR alchemist | Comms strategist | Writer

I was the Events/Tradeshow Consultant for Terayon Communications where Andrew was the VP of Marketing & Business Developement. Andrew's knowledge of industry trends at a technical and business level is excellent. I found Andrew to be a supportive leader and a respected manager - I would gladly work for him again.

Linda Lavin - Owner, L3 Marketing

Andrew is a great leader and mentor. He has a unique skill set, a strategic thinker with strong technical knowledge. This is a great combination for business development and sales leaders. Andrew is a highly motivated results oriented person. In addition, he as excellent interpersonal and organizational skills. He expects nothing but the best. Andrew would be a great addition to any organization.

Marjorie Lassen-Hoch - Senior Director Marketing, Comcast Business

Andrew had the courage and vision to transcend the innovators’ dilemma at Terayon. He relentlessly focused on scaling a small successful product group into a diversified operation. Andrew has very strong communication skills. He is also a savvy negotiator. Andrew will be a valuable addition to companies looking for breakthrough growth in disruptive market conditions.

Babu Niranjan - Product Management, Technology, and Strategy Leader

I enjoyed working for Andrew and found him to be an excellent manager with knowledge at both technical & business levels. Andrew has the ability to positively influence any organization's strategic goals at multiple levels and would be a great addition to any company. I could say many great things about Andrew, but the one thing that stands out, is he never let me down. Andrew delivers! When Andrew says it is going to get done, it does. Andrew 's ability to come through, even in challenging and demanding circumstances, is matched only by his charm, intelligence, and genuine likability. I would never pass up a chance to work with Andrew anytime - anywhere.

Elizabeth Botes - Executive Consultant Brisbane Digital Consulting Group

Andrew is simply a superb business professional. He has a strong strategic orientation, strong financial sensibilities, and proven product and marketing competence. His can assess, frame up and articulate concepts very quickly and effectively. I've worked with Andrew at WebTV/Microsoft, Terayon, and Barco Partners - and am consistently impressed with his abilities to focus and manage complex negotiations, initiate and drive key relationships, and successfully organize and lead teams. In my book, he's an absolutely A player.

Jeff Barco - CEO, Barco Partners

I had the distinct pleasure of serving as a mentor and EIR to Andrew Steele following Breezing’s Arizona Innovation Challenge (Venture Ready) award. I found Andrew to check all the boxes one wants to see in a CEO leader. I witnessed his innate sense for business development and commercialization with a value proposition/customer orientation focus. His communication skills are outstanding. He is a team builder; as well as a team player.

Keith Stoneback - Healthcare executive, mentor and board member

While I have known Andrew professionally for more then ten years I finally had the distinct pleasure of working with him at the same company while at Knoodle. Regardless of Andrew's actual position, he always takes a leadership role. He is someone you want on your team. He thinks strategically and executives tactically, establishing objectives and then achieving them. He clearly defined the product roadmap at Knoodle and then successfully created an online customer acquisition model that significantly grew the business.

Michael Rose - Partner, Better Food Ventures

Andrew is a well-rounded, natural leader with strong business acumen and technical know-how, tempered by emotional intelligence. This combination makes for successful businesses and long-standing relationships. I've known Andrew for about a decade now, and I've enjoyed every opportunity I'd had to work with him as my client. He's a star spokesperson, which makes a PR pro's job much easier, and understands and appreciates how the media works. On top of being a stellar executive who's not afraid of getting into the trenches, he's a super likable guy.

Margaret Huang - PR alchemist | Comms strategist | Writer

I was the Events/Tradeshow Consultant for Terayon Communications where Andrew was the VP of Marketing & Business Developement. Andrew's knowledge of industry trends at a technical and business level is excellent. I found Andrew to be a supportive leader and a respected manager - I would gladly work for him again.

Linda Lavin - Owner, L3 Marketing

Andrew is a great leader and mentor. He has a unique skill set, a strategic thinker with strong technical knowledge. This is a great combination for business development and sales leaders. Andrew is a highly motivated results oriented person. In addition, he as excellent interpersonal and organizational skills. He expects nothing but the best. Andrew would be a great addition to any organization.

Marjorie Lassen-Hoch - Senior Director Marketing, Comcast Business

Andrew had the courage and vision to transcend the innovators’ dilemma at Terayon. He relentlessly focused on scaling a small successful product group into a diversified operation. Andrew has very strong communication skills. He is also a savvy negotiator. Andrew will be a valuable addition to companies looking for breakthrough growth in disruptive market conditions.

Babu Niranjan - Product Management, Technology, and Strategy Leader

I enjoyed working for Andrew and found him to be an excellent manager with knowledge at both technical & business levels. Andrew has the ability to positively influence any organization's strategic goals at multiple levels and would be a great addition to any company. I could say many great things about Andrew, but the one thing that stands out, is he never let me down. Andrew delivers! When Andrew says it is going to get done, it does. Andrew 's ability to come through, even in challenging and demanding circumstances, is matched only by his charm, intelligence, and genuine likability. I would never pass up a chance to work with Andrew anytime - anywhere.

Elizabeth Botes - Executive Consultant Brisbane Digital Consulting Group

Andrew is simply a superb business professional. He has a strong strategic orientation, strong financial sensibilities, and proven product and marketing competence. His can assess, frame up and articulate concepts very quickly and effectively. I've worked with Andrew at WebTV/Microsoft, Terayon, and Barco Partners - and am consistently impressed with his abilities to focus and manage complex negotiations, initiate and drive key relationships, and successfully organize and lead teams. In my book, he's an absolutely A player.

Jeff Barco - CEO, Barco Partners

Built By Operators. For Operators.

About our Founder, Andrew Steele

What Colleagues Are Saying