Farnam Jahanian Named NEF Entrepreneur of the Year

Farnam Jahanian, the Edward S. Davidson Collegiate Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and Chair for Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan, has been named “NEF Entrepreneur of the Year” by New Enterprise Forum for exemplifying “the vision and leadership required to launch and grow a high-tech company, creating jobs and generating strong returns for investors.” The award was presented February 17, 2011 at the New Enterprise Forum 25th Anniverary Gala.

Prof. Jahanian was recognized for his role in co-founding Arbor Networks, a security services company, in 2001 with his former Ph.D. student G. Robert Malan, based on research they conducted at the U-M on Internet infrastructure and security. While launching Arbor, Prof. Jahanian led the drive to raise $33 million to grow the company. He later served as the company’s Chairman of the Board. Today, 70 percent of Internet backbone transit traffic is protected by Arbor technology, demonstrating how basic university research can be uniquely central to an innovation ecosystem that drives economic growth, global competitiveness, and job creation. The company’s products have received many industry accolades. Arbor was purchased by Tektronix Communications in September 2010.

Prof. Jahanian is affiliated with the department’s Software Systems Lab. He is a Fellow of ACM, AAAS, and IEEE.

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New Enterprise Forum press release: Farnam Jahanian Named Entrepreneur of the Year