Karl F. Hirsch - Founder and CEO

TinMan Systems was founded by and is led by Karl Hirsch, a software technology veteran. A pioneer in digital rights management (DRM) and electronic software distribution (ESD), Karl personally developed one of the earliest commercial software development kits (SDK) for remote software authentication, digital licensing and copy-protection technologies, which is still in use today by many companies.

He has also served as chairman of SIIA's Internet and Electronic Licensing / Digital Distribution Division, and as CompTIA Board member and RosettaNet architect. Hirsch has 23 years of experience at rapid growth, high-technology companies spanning business development, strategy and operational roles. As a three-time CEO, Karl is familiar with all aspects of rapid business growth in early to mid-stage companies. He founded two internet technology companies, Preview Systems (IPO Dec '99) and OneChannel.net.

More recently, Karl was CEO of Protexis, where he worked with his team and investors to restructure and redirect the company into a global platform for distribution of digital content. Hirsch successfully completed the sale of Protexis last year to Bertelsmann AG, a multi-billion dollar global media company. Karl has also raised over $70m dollars in venture financing over the last 15 years.