Ryan McDonough

Founder, Sometime Artist

CFO and co-founder @Accompany, acquired by @Cisco. Turnaround CFO @Ning, sold to Glam Media. Former seed VC. McKinsey trained. @Wharton School and @Haas School of Business.

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Design

Cabinet of Curiosities

September 18, 2025 Cabinet of Curiosities TINKERING A living, rotating home for my nostalgia machines, music, and art—built to be explored by guests. The Room & Vibe Cabinet: Maria Yee Room & Board Upright Cabinet/Credenza  A warm, modern display with wood grid that feels like

Thoughts

Raise Before You Raise

Fundraising is a constant focus for us as entrepreneurs, and it’s a topic that comes up nearly every time we meet. The startup world is filled with stories about founders pitching to dozens of VCs, going from meeting to meeting, before finally securing that elusive first round of funding. For those of us willing to invest in our networks, I completely disagree with this approach.

Thoughts

UC Launch

Yesterday, I had a chance to share some thoughts on my founder experience with Accompany with the latest LAUNCH Cohort.

May 10, 2018

Accompany Acquired by Cisco Systems

SAN JOSE, Calif. – May 1, 2018 – Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) announced today its intent to acquire Accompany, a privately held company based in Los Altos, Calif. The company provides an AI-driven relationship intelligence platform for finding new prospects, navigating the selling process, and strengthening relationships. Accompany Founder and CEO Amy Chang will join Cisco as senior vice president in charge of the Collaboration Technology Group.

Posts

Design

Cabinet of Curiosities

September 18, 2025 Cabinet of Curiosities TINKERING A living, rotating home for my nostalgia machines, music, and art—built to be explored by guests. The Room & Vibe Cabinet: Maria Yee Room & Board Upright Cabinet/Credenza  A warm, modern display with wood grid that feels like

Tinkering

1984 iPad

Ever wanted to slip back into the elegant simplicity of a 1984 Macintosh, but with the convenience of modern hardware? In this post, I’ll walk you through the process of installing Mini vMac on your iPad—no shady sideloading required. By using Xcode and a genuine Macintosh ROM file, you can recreate that vintage Mac environment on your tablet, enjoying a nostalgic digital adventure anywhere.

Design

A Guide to Creating Your Own Nostalgia Machines

Explore the magic of blending nostalgia with modern technology! From the LEGO Mini Macintosh to the Streamocaster, discover how I recreate iconic retro devices using modern tools like Raspberry Pi, Mini vMac, and RetroPie. Whether it’s a Winberry 95 PC on your side table or a functional Polaroid Printer, this guide will help you revive the past with a modern twist. Start building your own nostalgia machine and bring your memories back to life!

Design

ADU Research

Tracking innovative ADU companies with a focus on practical and stylish design, with the potential for being a true in-law unit for aging-in-place. Explore my findings from brands like Tomu, Manta North, and Cerca.

Tinkering

Coffee

Anyone who has spent any time with me knows that I take my coffee very seriously. Over the years, I’ve developed an unhealthy obsession with making the perfect pour over at home and on the road. I’m a Blue Bottle loyalist from their early Oakland days and still appreciate my morning Bella Donovan.

Thoughts

Raise Before You Raise

Fundraising is a constant focus for us as entrepreneurs, and it’s a topic that comes up nearly every time we meet. The startup world is filled with stories about founders pitching to dozens of VCs, going from meeting to meeting, before finally securing that elusive first round of funding. For those of us willing to invest in our networks, I completely disagree with this approach.

Charities

2022 V Foundation Wine Celebration Raises $6.5 Million

The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a top-rated cancer research charity, announced the 2022 V Foundation Wine Celebration raised more than $6.5 million during a full weekend of events in the Napa Valley, with proceeds supporting early detection research.

Charities

2021 V Foundation Wine Celebration Raises $12 Million

The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a top-rated cancer research charity, announced the 2021 V Foundation Wine Celebration raised more than $12 million during a full weekend of events in the Napa Valley.

Thoughts

UC Launch

Yesterday, I had a chance to share some thoughts on my founder experience with Accompany with the latest LAUNCH Cohort.

Design

Throwback Thursday

Collection of works from the 1990s, including my favorite pastel piece of Dizzy Gillespie.

Thoughts

Accompany Values

When we founded Accompany back in 2013, we decided to deliberately set our company culture. Before we even had a name, an office or even a first employee, we had our values.

Charities

Cisco Sleeps Out

All told, Cisco employees raised more than $2 million across all locations. At Cisco headquarters in San Jose, California, more than 300 employees participated in a ‘satellite’ Sleep Out, making it the largest-ever Sleep Out since Covenant House began its grassroots organizing and fundraising initiative in 2011.

Design

Workspace

For painting, I work primarily with acrylics – it is an extremely forgiving and highly experimental medium.

Tinkering

Tesla Front-End Refresh

Decided to refresh my 2015 Model S by fixing the ne part of the car I never truly loved – the bubble. Now the proud owner of a ‘new’ S.

Thoughts

Accompany Raises $20 Million in Funding Led by Ignition Partners

Accompany, the intelligent virtual chief of staff app, today announced that it has raised $20 million in funding. Led by Ignition Partners with participation from CRV, this latest round brings Accompany’s total funding to date to $40.6 million.