Mikkel Svane is the Founder and CEO of Zendesk, a software development company that was valued at $631 million in the IPO in May 2015. Mikkel has served as Chief Executive Officer since August 2007 and as a member of the board of directors since August 2007. He was appointed Chair of the board of directors in January 2014. Prior to founding Zendesk, Mikkel founded and served as the Chief Executive Officer of Caput A/S, a software company, and served as a technology consultant. He holds an A.P. in marketing management from Arhus Kobmandsskole. Mikkel is the author, along with Carlye Adler, of the book “Startupland” to be published by Jossey-Bass in December 2014.