Microrim
Ron Erickson | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 24, 1943 Tacoma, Washington, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Business executive, attorney, angel investor |
| Known for | Founder, Chairman and CEO of Know Labs, Inc.; co-founder of Microrim; investor in Double Down Interactive |
Ron Erickson (born December 24, 1943) is an American business executive, attorney, and angel investor operating out of Seattle. He serves as Chairman and CEO of Know Labs, Inc., a publicly traded company on the NYSE American exchange under the ticker “KNW,” which he established. Know Labs specializes in non-invasive medical diagnostics, with a goal to create the first FDA-approved non-invasive blood glucose monitoring device globally.
Erickson launched his entrepreneurial journey by co-founding Microrim in 1981. Throughout his career, he has either founded or held leadership positions at several firms, including GlobalTel Resources, Inc., Egghead Software, Inc., eCharge Corporation, and Blue Frog Media. Notably, he was the sole investor in Double Down Interactive, a social gaming company that was acquired by IGT for $500 million in 2012.
Early life and education
Born on December 24, 1943, in Tacoma, Washington, Erickson was raised in Ellensburg, Washington. His father, Ed Erickson, had a distinguished career in education administration and academia, serving as superintendent of the Ellensburg School District from 1952 to 1958, director of planning at Central Washington University, and founding president of the Seattle Community College system.
Erickson spent much of his youth on his mother’s pioneer farm located in Washington’s Kittitas Valley. He completed his secondary education at Ellensburg High School before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Central Washington University, where he later took on the role of Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He further pursued a Master of Arts in American Studies from the University of Wyoming.
Early in his professional life, Erickson held positions related to public policy at the White House and the Office of Economic Opportunity in Washington, D.C., eventually becoming branch chief overseeing emergency food and medical services. He also contributed to New York City’s Rockefeller Commission on Critical Choices.
Erickson earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California at Davis and is admitted to practice law in Washington State. His legal career included associations with Seattle-based law firms Kargianis, Austin & Erickson and Ronald P. Erickson & Associates.
Business career
Beginning in the late 1970s, Erickson embarked on a career as an entrepreneur and investor focused on sectors such as high technology, telecommunications, microcomputers, and digital media. His business ventures span both public and private companies, beginning with Microrim—co-founded by him in 1981—which gained recognition for its R-Base relational database software. He was also an early stakeholder in Egghead Software and held executive roles including chairman, vice-chairman, and interim CEO during his involvement.
Know Labs, Inc.
Erickson holds the roles of founder, Chairman, and CEO at Know Labs, Inc., a publicly listed company trading under "KNW" on the NYSE American Exchange. The firm’s patented radiofrequency spectroscopy technology emits electromagnetic energy through substances to detect distinct molecular signatures. This innovative technology can be embedded into wearable gadgets, mobile platforms, or bench-top instruments to facilitate non-invasive and affordable analyte detection that previously required invasive procedures or laboratory analysis. Its flagship product is a non-invasive glucose monitor designed to deliver continuous blood glucose readings in real time, currently awaiting FDA approval. https://www.knowlabs.co/
Microrim
In 1981, Erickson, together with his brother Wayne Erickson, established Microrim, Inc. to create R:Base, recognized as the pioneering relational database designed specifically for personal computers.
Egghead
Erickson was among the initial investors of Egghead Software, Inc., a company founded in 1984 by Victor Alhadeff that specialized in retailing computer software. Throughout his tenure, he held roles including chairman, interim president and CEO, and board director before departing in 1994.
Blue Frog
As a co-founder of Blue Frog Media based in Seattle, Erickson helped launch a company that initially marketed ringtones, wallpapers, and mobile games. In 2006, the company introduced NOYZ, a television channel showcasing pop and hip hop music videos alongside live viewer text messages. Erickson held the positions of chairman and CEO until 2007.
Double Down Interactive
After Blue Frog Mobile ceased operations, Erickson became the sole backer of PickJam, an online trivia platform. The earnings from PickJam were invested into Double Down Interactive, a social gaming studio that released a successful blackjack game on Facebook in 2010. In early 2012, International Game Technology acquired Double Down for up to $500 million following the U.S. Justice Department's withdrawal of objections to internet gambling.
Personal life
By 2023, Erickson lives on Bainbridge Island, Washington with his wife Dia Armenta, who works as a consultant in political and governmental affairs. He has competed in both the Ironman Triathlon and Half Ironman events, achieving the distinction of being the leading triathlete three times within his Northwest age category. Additionally, Erickson is active in vintage sports car racing, piloting a 1957 Corvette and a 1969 Porsche 911.
See also
External links
- RonErickson.com
- https://www.flickr.com/photos/dschultz742/51367631357
- https://www.ultimatecarpage.com/gallery/Chevrolet-Corvette-71676.html
- Pages with script errors
- Articles with short description
- Articles with hCards
- No local image but image on Wikidata
- 1943 births
- Central Washington University alumni
- Living people
- University of California, Davis alumni
- People from Tacoma, Washington
- People from Ellensburg, Washington
- Defunct software companies of the United States