Early Life
John Colgrove, often called "Coz," grew up in New Jersey and developed an early interest in computer science, influenced by his father, a research chemist. He pursued computer programming through an accelerated math program and furthered his education at Rutgers University, where he earned a computer science degree.
Rise to Success
After graduating from Rutgers University, Colgrove worked at Bell Labs and then joined Veritas Technologies as a founding engineer, experiencing their IPO and subsequent acquisition by Symantec. Colgrove spent two decades working in storage, making him one of the industry's foremost experts. In 2009, he co-founded Pure Storage with John Hayes, aiming to revolutionize data storage. The company's early growth was fueled by venture capital, raising over $525 million before going public in 2015.
Key Business Strategies
Colgrove's strategy at Pure Storage involved identifying the need for flash storage and focusing on making data management easier. He emphasized building a strong team and culture, hiring engineers who could solve problems and upend existing industry norms. Colgrove also focused on long-term goals and recognized the importance of energy efficiency.
Philanthropy
While the exact details of John Colgrove's philanthropic endeavors are not widely publicized, he has established the Colgrove Family Charitable Remainder Trust, showing his commitment to charitable giving.