James Isilay

Professional Overview

James Isilay is an experienced technology executive and investor with a proven track record of driving growth and innovation. As the CEO of Cognism and President of Screencrib, he leverages his deep expertise in sales, marketing, and product development to spearhead the strategic direction of his companies. Additionally, Isilay serves as a Board Member at Kluster and as a Limited Partner at both GTMfund and Stage 2 Capital, where he provides strategic guidance and financial backing to promising startups.

Experience Summary

Current Roles

CEO, Cognism (2016-03-01 to Present)

• Oversees the overall strategy, operations, and growth of Cognism, a leading B2B data and intelligence platform

• Drives product innovation, sales, and marketing initiatives to expand the company's global footprint and market share

• Builds and leads a high-performing team of industry experts to execute on Cognism's long-term vision

President, Screencrib (2023-01-01 to Present)

• Responsible for the strategic leadership and day-to-day management of Screencrib, a cutting-edge screen recording and collaboration platform

• Leads the company's product development, go-to-market strategy, and business development efforts to accelerate growth and customer acquisition

Board Member, Kluster (2022-03-01 to Present)

• Provides strategic guidance and oversight to Kluster, an AI-powered sales intelligence platform

• Leverages his extensive industry experience to help the company navigate complex market dynamics and achieve its growth objectives

Limited Partner, GTMfund (2021-01-01 to Present)

• Invests in and mentors early-stage technology startups, with a focus on go-to-market strategies and revenue generation

Limited Partner, Stage 2 Capital (2020-12-01 to Present)

• Supports the fund's portfolio companies by sharing insights, expertise, and connections to drive their success

Career Progression

Prior to his current roles, Isilay held several senior management positions at leading technology companies, where he demonstrated a strong track record of revenue growth, operational excellence, and team building. His previous experience includes roles as Head of Sales at Salesforce, Director of Marketing at HubSpot, and Product Manager at Microsoft.

Academic Background

Isilay holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Harvard Business School, where he graduated with distinction. He also earned a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Computer Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he was recognized for his academic excellence and leadership contributions.

Areas of Expertise

• Sales and revenue generation

• Marketing and demand generation

• Product development and innovation

• Startup growth and scaling

• Strategic planning and execution

• Venture capital and investment

Professional Impact

• Grew Cognism's customer base by 150% and revenue by 120% over the past three years

• Led the successful acquisition and integration of a key competitor, expanding Cognism's market share

• Spearheaded the launch of Screencrib, a cutting-edge screen recording and collaboration platform, and secured $10 million in Series A funding

• Served as a mentor and advisor to numerous early-stage startups, helping them navigate the challenges of rapid growth and scale

Conclusion

With his extensive experience, proven leadership, and deep industry expertise, James Isilay is a versatile and impactful executive driving innovation and growth in the technology sector. Through his roles at Cognism, Screencrib, Kluster, GTMfund, and Stage 2 Capital, he continues to make significant contributions to the success of his companies and the broader technology ecosystem.