Image of Rich Miner

Rich Miner

Person

Co-founder of Android who helped conceptualize Google Ventures.


First Mentioned

6/10/2026, 6:25:40 AM

Last Updated

6/10/2026, 6:31:09 AM

Research Retrieved

6/10/2026, 6:31:09 AM

Summary

Rich Miner is an American computer scientist, entrepreneur, and venture capitalist best known as a co-founder of Android, Inc., the company behind the world's most popular mobile operating system, which was acquired by Google in 2005. Following the acquisition, Miner served as an executive on the Android team and later collaborated with Bill Maris to co-found GV (formerly Google Ventures) in March 2009, where he continues to serve as an investment partner. Throughout his career, Miner also co-founded Wildfire Communications, an early voice-based personal assistant startup sold to Orange in 2000, and helped incubate Avid Technology. He holds a Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Massachusetts Lowell, which honored him in 2022 by naming the Richard A. Miner School of Computer & Information Sciences after him.

Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • Gender

    Male

  • Education

    Ph.D. in Computer Science from University of Massachusetts Lowell

  • Known For

    Co-Founder of Android, Inc.

  • Occupation

    Computer Scientist, Venture Capitalist, Entrepreneur

  • Citizenship

    United States

  • Date of Birth

    1964-05-25

Timeline
  • Rich Miner was born. (Source: Wikidata)

    1964-05-25

  • Co-founded Wildfire Communications, which developed the world's first voice-based personal assistant. (Source: Web Search)

    1990-01-01

  • Sold Wildfire Communications to Orange and became Vice President of Technology and Innovation. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2000-04-01

  • Android, Inc. was acquired by Google, and Miner joined Google as Group Manager of Wireless Platforms. (Source: Web Search)

    2005-01-01

  • Co-founded and joined GV (Google Ventures) as an investment partner. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2009-03-01

  • Inducted into the Wireless Hall of Fame for his contributions to the wireless industry. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2019-01-01

  • The Richard A. Miner School of Computer & Information Sciences at UMass Lowell was named in his honor. (Source: Wikipedia)

    2022-01-01

Rich Miner

Rich Miner (born 1964) is an investment partner on the GV team. Miner joined the GV team in March, 2009 and is based out of Cambridge, MA. Before joining GV, Miner was a co-founder of Android, Inc., origin of the Android mobile operating system and was an executive on the Android team after its acquisition by Google. Miner also co-founded Wildfire Communications, a voice communications startup that was sold to Orange in April 2000. He has a doctorate in computer science from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. In 2019, Miner was inducted into the Wireless Hall of Fame for his position in the wireless industry. The Richard A. Miner School of Computer & Information Sciences at UMass Lowell was named after Miner in 2022.

Web Search Results
  • Rich Miner - Wikipedia

    Rich Miner (born 1964) is an investment partner on the GV "GV (company)") team. Miner joined the GV team in March, 2009 and is based out of Cambridge, MA. Before joining GV, Miner was a co-founder of Android, Inc. "Android (operating system)"), origin of the Android "Android (operating system)") mobile operating system and was an executive on the Android team after its acquisition by Google. Miner also co-founded Wildfire Communications, a voice communications startup that was sold to Orange "Orange (telecommunications)") in April 2000. He has a doctorate in computer science from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. In 2019, Miner was inducted into the Wireless Hall of Fame for his position in the wireless industry. The Richard A. Miner School of Computer & Information Sciences at [...] Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia ## Contents # Rich Miner | Rich Miner | | --- | | Miner in 2015 | | | Education | University of Massachusetts Lowell (Ph.D.) | | Known for | Co-Founder of Android "Android (operating system)") Inc. | [...] | | | --- | | Stub icon | This article about an American businessperson born in the 1960s is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information. | Stub icon This article about an American businessperson born in the 1960s is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by adding missing information. Wikimedia Foundation Powered by MediaWiki

  • Rich Miner – Wireless History Foundation

    Wireless History Foundation Logo Image of Rich Miner ## Rich Miner Rich Miner is a co-founder of Android and also a pioneer and innovator in mobile communications and interface-intensive applications. After Google’s acquisition of Android in 2005, Rich spent his first three years at Google as an executive on the Android team and helped lead Android development and its ecosystem. He then became a partner of GV (formerly Google Ventures) which he helped create and grow. [...] In the late 1980s, Rich helped incubate Avid Technology, an audio/video editing and management company. Then in the early 1990s Rich co-founded Wildfire Communications, which developed the world’s first voice-based personal assistant. This feature was an anthropomorphic voice prompt that helped manage calls and messages over the phone. In April 2000, Wildfire was sold to Orange, where Rich served as vice president of innovation and led their R&D in North America. While at Orange, he also started and was a principle of Orange Ventures. [...] Rich received his Ph.D. in computer science from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. Based in the Boston area, he continues to build and invest in innovative startups with Google, with a focus on developing innovative educational products and user interface technology. Rich was inducted into the Wireless Hall of Fame in 2019. Android Founders Full Interview Wireless History Foundation Logo © Copyright 2025 Wireless History Foundation Wireless History Foundation Logo © Copyright 2025 Wireless History Foundation

  • Android Co-founder Builds and Innovates at Google | Elements of Science | Publications | Kennedy College of Sciences | UMass Lowell

    04/15/2019 By Edwin L. Aguirre Rich Miner is an entrepreneur at heart, skilled at building companies from the ground up. He thrives on bringing a spark of an idea to life — on assembling teams that can push the boundaries of innovation and deliver market-disrupting products. It’s what he’s been doing for more than 30 years. A triple River Hawk, Miner’s reputation in the world of technology is legendary. He co-founded the company Android, which developed what is now the world’s most popular mobile operating system, used by 2.5 billion people and commanding more than 85 percent of worldwide market share. The company was acquired by Google in 2005 for a reported $50 million, and that’s where Miner has worked ever since. [...] As an undergrad, Miner considered becoming a physicist. But on the side, he wrote computer games for the Commodore 64, a first-generation gaming system, and soon discovered his love of both computer science and entrepreneurship. As a graduate student, his work with Krolak for the university’s Center for Product Enhancement paved the way toward groundbreaking ideas in image processing, video digitization and videoconferencing, among other innovations. Rich Miner in the late 1980s using videoconferencing technology he developed to order pizza from a shop in downtown Lowell. Miner pioneered the development of videoconferencing as a UML undergrad in the late 1980s. Here, he is shown using the technology on campus to order pizza from a shop in downtown Lowell. [...] Skip to Main Content UMass Lowell is #1 in What Matters Most! Read Why⁠⁠ UMass Lowell Logo Home Kennedy College of Sciences Publications Elements of Science # Android Co-founder Builds and Innovates at Google ## KCS People: Rich Miner, Computer Science ’86, ’89, ’97 Android co-founder Rich Miner ’86, ’89, ’97 at Google corporate headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., in 2017 Android co-founder Rich Miner ’86, ’89, ’97 at Google corporate headquarters in Mountain View, Calif. Here, he is shown with the Android “Oreo” robot, which represents the version of the Android mobile operating system that was released in 2017. 04/15/2019 By Edwin L. Aguirre

  • Rich Miner - Tech Power Players 2022 - The Boston Globe

    Rich Miner joined Google as part of its acquisition of Android, a company he cofounded. At Google, Miner led Android development and helped create GV, the company’s venture capital arm. He now serves as Google’s chief technology officer of Android Tablets. Prior to Android, Miner cofounded Massachusetts-based Wildfire Communications, which built the world’s first voice-based personal assistant. Miner holds a PhD in computer science from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. ## CAREER MILESTONES 2005 Joined Google as Group Manager, Wireless Platforms 2000 Became VP of Technology and Innovation at Orange 1990 Cofounded Wildfire Communications ###### RELATED ARTICLES MIT alums develop electric boat that aims to be the Tesla of the seas [...] ## BIOGRAPHY Why a Tech Power Player? For contributions to mobile technology and local leadership of a tech giant. Rich Miner joined Google as part of its acquisition of Android, a company he cofounded. At Google, Miner led Android development and helped create GV, the company’s venture capital arm. He now serves as Google’s chief technology officer of Android Tablets. Prior to Android, Miner cofounded Massachusetts-based Wildfire Communications, which built the world’s first voice-based personal assistant. Miner holds a PhD in computer science from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. ## CAREER MILESTONES 2005 Joined Google as Group Manager, Wireless Platforms 2000 Became VP of Technology and Innovation at Orange 1990 Cofounded Wildfire Communications [...] boston skyline boston skyline Rich Miner Rich Miner ###### Industry Software ###### Location Greater Boston ###### Social Media ###### RELATED ARTICLES MIT alums develop electric boat that aims to be the Tesla of the seas MIT alums develop electric boat that aims to be the Tesla of the seas Pumpkin seeds, an open lab, and an orchestral debut Pumpkin seeds, an open lab, and an orchestral debut UMass Lowell to name new school of computer and information sciences after Rich Miner, Android co-founder and alumnus UMass Lowell to name new school of computer and information sciences after Rich Miner, Android co-founder and alumnus # Rich Miner Tech Power Players 50 | 2022 | Ranked #15 Founder, Android, Google ## BIOGRAPHY Why a Tech Power Player?

  • Rich Miner | Speaking Fee | Booking Agent

    ### Who is Rich Miner’s agent? ### What is a full-service speaker booking agency? ### Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies? Rich Miner is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Rich Miner for your event is available upon request. Rich Miner generally travels from and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Sundar Pichai, Andy Rubin, Larry Page, Faisal Hoque and Walter O'Brien. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Rich Miner for an upcoming live or virtual event. BOOK Rich Miner ## FAQs ## Check Availability [...] All American Speakers Bureau and Celebrity Booking Agency Please select your budget range: (check all that apply) Questions? Talk to our experts about your event. 1-800-698-2536 Please select your budget range: (check all that apply) start start Rich Miner star star star # Rich Miner ## Android, a mobile software platforms company he co-founded,google ## Profile ## Rich Miner Biography Rich is based in Cambridge, MA. He has over 25 years of experience growing businesses with innovative communications and interface-intensive applications. Rich came to Google through the acquisition of Android, a mobile platforms company that he co-founded. During his early years at Google, he helped lead the development of the Android platform and ecosystem. [...] Give you personal recommendations for the best keynote speakers or celebrities Assist you with any questions you have throughout the talent booking process ## Speakers Similar to Rich Miner ### Sundar Pichai Sundar Pichai star star CEO of Alphabet & Its Subsidiary, Google CEO of Alphabet & Its Subsidiary, Google ### Andy Rubin Andy Rubin star star Former Founder & CEO, Essential Products Former Founder & CEO, Essential Products ### Larry Page Larry Page star star Businessman & Computer Scientist; Co-Founder &... Businessman & Computer Scientist; Co-Founder & Former CEO... ### Faisal Hoque Faisal Hoque star star Founder of Shadoka, Author, Top 100 Influential... Founder of Shadoka, Author, Top 100 Influential Tech Leader ### Walter O'Brien Walter O'Brien star star