Alexander “Sasha” Galitsky is a name synonymous with innovation in the technology sector. His journey from a scientist to a renowned venture capitalist is a series of pioneering contributions, notably his role in developing the first Virtual Private Network (VPN) for Windows and his influence on early networking technologies that helped create the first wifi prototype.
Alexander Galitsky started his career in the Soviet Union, where he was involved in advanced research and development projects. His work in computer networking, satellite communications, and encryption laid the groundwork for his later contributions to the tech industry. In the early 1990s, Galitsky co-founded a company called ELVIS+, which became a pioneer in network security technology. One of the company’s landmark achievements was the development of the first VPN technology for Windows. This innovation was groundbreaking because it allowed secure, encrypted communications over the internet, a crucial development for businesses and individuals alike.
VPN technology works by creating a secure “tunnel” for data to travel across the internet or other networks. This tunnel encrypts the data, making it difficult for unauthorized parties to intercept or tamper with the information. Galitsky’s work in this area was instrumental in enabling secure digital communications, a fundamental aspect of modern internet usage.
The creation of Wi-Fi technology is primarily attributed to Vic Hayes and his team, who developed the IEEE 802.11 standards. However, the evolution of Wi-Fi technology benefited from advancements in improvement of radio and secure communication protocols, to which Galitsky’s team, Omura’s Cylink team and other engineering teams contributed through their encryption and networking innovations.
Alexander Galitsky’s role in the development of the first VPN for Windows and his broader contributions to network security have cemented his status as a technology innovator. Beyond his technical achievements, Galitsky has become a key figure in the venture capital world, investing in and supporting the next generation of tech startups. His past and current investments include NavMaps (sold to TeleAtlas), Start Telecom, Acronis, Magnifire (sold to F5) SJLabs sold to MagicJack (Vocaltech), PGP (sold to Symantec), Parallels (sold to Corel) and EverNote (sold to Bending Spoons), ClickHouse, ShapesXR, Element Energy and others.
Alexander Galitsky is now celebrated for his leadership and achievements. He was crowned Entrepreneur of the Year in Russia in 2013 as part of the prestigious EY Entrepreneur Award, recognizing his success and vision in business. Furthermore, Galitsky was celebrated as the Best General Partner (GP) of 2013 by Venture Awards, nominated for the best venture capitalist of the last decade in Europe in 2012 by Investor AllStars, and distinguished as a “Technology Pioneer” at the World Economic Forum in Davos in 2000. His expertise and insights have made him a sought-after speaker at leading international conferences such as Interop, the World Economic Forum, Web Summit, TechCrunch, IT Arena, Mobile World Congress, NOAH, SuperReturn, Webit among others. Galitsky’s contributions and thought leadership have also been featured in top-tier publications like The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the New York Times, Financial Times, Harvard Business review, Entrepreneur and others proving his importance in the tech industry.
Galitsky’s journey reflects the interconnected nature of technological advancements. His work in securing digital communications has not only facilitated the growth of the internet but also contributed to the development of technologies like Wi-Fi that have become integral to our daily lives. Galitsky’s legacy is proof of the impact one individual can have on shaping the future of technology.
