Derek Idemoto

As SVP of Corporate Development and Cisco Investments, Derek is responsible for optimizing external innovation through acquisitions and investments as a mechanism for Cisco’s growth. Since joining Cisco in 2007, Derek has spearheaded more than 30 deals totaling over $15 billion, including the acquisitions of Sourcefire, OpenDNS and Leaba Semiconductor. In his previous role as Vice President of Corporate Development and Cisco Investments, he was at the forefront of helping shape and influence Cisco’s technology strategy and approach to harnessing external innovation in the start-up ecosystem. Most recently, Derek facilitated the $2.3 billion acquisition of Duo, the leading multi-factor authentication (MFA) and Zero Trust for the Workforce provider delivered through the cloud. He has driven acquisitions and investments across Cisco’s security, service provider, services, silicon, collaboration and digital media businesses. To better increase Cisco’s capabilities in key markets, Derek implemented and accelerated new business development opportunities in Canada, India, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. Prior to joining Cisco, Derek was Managing Director of Venture Investment for ITOCHU Technology, the corporate venture capital arm of ITOCHU Corporation. During his tenure, he led information technology (IT) investments for the company, including those related to communication, software, services, digital media and the Internet. Previously, Derek was Vice President of Corporate Development at Overture Services, where he was responsible for the company’s acquisition strategy before it was acquired by Yahoo! in 2003. A former venture associate with private equity firm Kline Hawkes & Co., Derek operated as an investment banker at Cowen after starting his M&A career with BancAmerica Securities. Derek earned an MBA from the Anderson School at UCLA, where he was also a venture fellow, and a bachelor’s degree in finance and marketing from U.C. Berkeley. You can also follow Derek on The Newsroom, Cisco's technology news site.