Randall Crowder

About Randall Crowder

I am passionate about new venture creation and the innovative spirit that fuels entrepreneurs and advances technology. As an active investor and entrepreneur, I understand what it takes to successfully launch and grow new businesses. I regularly publish articles and speak on entrepreneurship, venture capital, healthcare, and the rise of cryptocurrencies.I am currently the CEO of Pulse AI, a funnel and pipeline operating system for healthcare recruiters we spun out of MLR, where I serve as CDO.I previously served as the Chief Operating Officer of Phunware (NASDAQ: PHUN), a technology company based in Austin, TX, specializing in developing mobile and data solutions for major brands. Additionally, we developed a dual token ecosystem with PhunCoin and PhunToken to blockchain-enable a data exchange and loyalty and rewards platform to disintermediate incumbent data oligarchs that exploit consumer data.Before Phunware, I had the privilege of leading over 40 angel investments and deploying over $60 million across 14 companies as a venture capitalist. I co-founded and served as Managing Partner at TEXO Ventures, where my focus was on tech-enabled health services. Furthermore, I am the sole founder and Managing Partner at Novē Ventures, where I concentrate on companies leveraging blockchain technology as well as opportunistic investments that address inherent inefficiencies in the market.My journey into the world of venture capital began after I led the Central Texas Angel Network (CTAN) to becoming one of the most active angel networks in the country. I also founded and launched Texas Venture Labs (TVL) at UT, aiming to provide the next generation of investors with unique experiential learning opportunities outside of the classroom.Prior to venturing into entrepreneurship and venture capital, my career took me on a different path. I served as a Captain in the United States Army and am both Airborne and Ranger qualified. I dedicated over six years to active duty and deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, earning two Bronze Stars for my actions during combat operations.My educational background includes a BS from the United States Military Academy at West Point and an MBA from the McCombs School of Business. I am also a Kauffman Fellow, a member of the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), and one of the leaders of The Crypto Watch, a group dedicated to helping others successfully learn about and invest in cryptocurrencies.

Experience

1. Chief Digital Officer

   Mlr.Org

   Jan 2025 — Present · Austin, TX, US

   Leading the vision, strategy, and execution of a next-generation recruitment platform designed to transform how healthcare organizations attract, engage, and retain top talent. As the architect and driver of MLR’s digital ecosystem, I\'m integrating data, automation, and human connection into a unified experience that accelerates hiring and enhances outcomes for both employers and candidates.Key ResponsibilitiesPlatform Leadership: Oversee the design and development of MLR’s proprietary recruitment platform, which blends CRM, ATS, communications, and analytics capabilities into a seamless workflow for recruiters and clients.Integration & Partnerships: Spearhead integrations with industry-leading platforms such as LinkedIn (Recruiter System Connect, Apply Connect, and Apply with LinkedIn) to expand reach, improve candidate experience, and ensure data interoperability.AI & Automation: Implement intelligent matching, workflow automation, and predictive analytics to streamline recruiter productivity and enhance placement accuracy.Digital Experience: Champion a frictionless experience across all digital touchpoints—ensuring candidates and clients move effortlessly from discovery to hire within a unified ecosystem.Data & Insights: Establish a robust data infrastructure and analytics framework to measure recruiter performance, hiring velocity, candidate engagement, and ROI.Innovation Culture: Build and lead cross-functional digital teams that embody experimentation, speed, and empathy—turning MLR into the most advanced tech-enabled recruiting agency in healthcare.About MLRMLR is redefining healthcare recruiting by combining the personal touch of experienced recruiters with the power of modern technology. Our mission is to bring more love into the recruiting process—humanizing every interaction while leveraging AI, automation, and integrated systems to deliver faster, more accurate placements.

Education

• United States Military Academy at West Point

  BS, General Management

  1998 — 2002

• Texas McCombs School of Business

  MBA, Entrepreneurship and Private Equity Finance

  2008 — 2010

Skills

• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Fundraising
• Corporate Finance
• Strategic Partnerships
• Strategy
• Cryptocurrency
• Negotiation
• Market Analysis
• Executive Management
• Business Planning
• Management Consulting
• Private Equity
• Product Management
• Strategic Planning
• Venture Capital
• Blockchain
• Management
• Team Building
• Corporate Development
• Leadership
• Operations
• Business Development
• Ipo
• Restructuring
• Financial Modeling
• Portfolio Management
• Mergers
• Competitive Analysis
• Start-Ups
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Investor Relations
• Entrepreneurship
• Medical Devices
• International Business
• Investments
• Angel Investing
• Valuation
• Analytics
• Business Strategy
• New Business Development