William Melton has been an entrepreneur and investor in the high-tech industry for over 30 years. He founded VeriFone, Inc., the transaction automation company that made credit authorization terminals ubiquitous on retail merchant counters in 1981. From 1991 to 1999, William was an early investor in and board member of America Online. Additionally, William was the initial funder of Transaction Network Systems (TNS), founder and CEO of CyberCash, and an initial funder of other high tech companies including Prio (sold to Infospace Inc.) and Maxager Technology. WIlliam is currently an active investor and board member of several early stage venture capital companies. William holds a Master's degree in Asian Studies and Chinese philosophy.