The Graduate School
Dr. Peter Zandan
Marketing Technology in Texas
M.B.A. & Ph.D. - UT Austin
Peter Zandan is the co-founder and active chairman of Zilliant, a successful Internet startup. He was founder and chairman of the board of IntelliQuest. IntelliQuest is a leading provider of information services designed to help technology companies market more smartly. The firm is headquartered in Austin, with additional offices in New York, Atlanta, London and Redwood City. Under Zandan's leadership the company twice received the Inc. 500 Award as one of the fastest growing private companies in the U.S.
Zandan cites his graduate education in Texas as critical to his success. "Graduate school provided me both the technical skill and confidence to launch a new business that services the high technology industry."
Importantly, Zandan notes that his relationship with his graduate institution was far from over at graduation time. He is adamant that Texas's system of higher education remains critical to his continued business success. "Almost all of our early employees were trained at UT. We continue to hire UT graduates and to work with UT business school professors to ensure that our research is state-of-the-art. UT and the quality of life in Austin are huge factors in being able to recruit top-notch talent in Austin."
Zandan's graduate experience has been vital outside of IntelliQuest as well. "I appreciate most about graduate school," comments Zandan, "the friendships that I was able to make at UT. These friendships continue to have an impact on my personal and professional life."
Zandan continues to serve the state's higher education mission in matters even beyond the tremendous opportunities IntelliQuest provides graduates. Zandan teaches graduate courses and serves on a business school advisory council, both at The University of Texas at Austin.