# Christopher W. Klaus

> Christopher W. Klaus is an Atlanta-based technology entrepreneur and investor who founded Internet Security Systems, acquired by IBM in 2006 for approximately $1.3 billion. Founder and CEO of Fusen World, he supports student entrepreneurs through accelerator programs, investments and university partnerships. His Georgia Tech ties include a $15 million computing-building gift, co-founding CREATE-X and an honorary doctorate in 2025.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at Fusen World
- **Organizations:** Fusen World, Internet Security Systems, Kaneva, CREATE-X, CyberLaunch, Georgia Institute of Technology
- **From:** Sarasota, United States
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Undergraduate studies; left before completing degree, Georgia Institute of Technology, Honorary doctorate, Georgia Institute of Technology
- **Known for:** Founded Internet Security Systems and served as CTO; the company went public in 1998 and was acquired by IBM in 2006., Contributed $15 million toward the Christopher W. Klaus Advanced Computing Building at Georgia Tech., Co-founded CREATE-X, which had helped launch more than 500 student startups by its tenth anniversary in 2024.

## Career timeline

- **1991** — Department of Energy internship helped develop his interest in network security.
- **1993** — Released Internet Security Scanner 1.0 and its source code free on Usenet, according to his 2006 interview.
- **1994** — Incorporated Internet Security Systems in April and teamed with Tom Noonan.
- **1998** — ISS went public in March.
- **2000** — Gave $15 million toward Georgia Tech’s new computing facility.
- **2004** — Founded Kaneva, exploring online communities and 3D virtual worlds.
- **2006** — IBM acquired ISS for approximately $1.3 billion; the Klaus Advanced Computing Building opened in October.
- **2014** — Co-founded Georgia Tech’s CREATE-X entrepreneurship initiative.
- **2015** — Co-founded CyberLaunch, focused on cybersecurity and machine learning startups.
- **2022** — Founded Fusen World to support student entrepreneurs internationally.
- **2023** — Visited Universidad de Concepción and selected three student ventures for investment through the 7th Gear Challenge.
- **2025** — Delivered Georgia Tech commencement address, received an honorary doctorate and offered to cover graduating students’ startup incorporation costs.
- **2026** — Fusen’s September network report described 123 active student-founded companies across more than 15 universities.

## Achievements

- Founded Internet Security Systems and served as CTO; the company went public in 1998 and was acquired by IBM in 2006.
- Contributed $15 million toward the Christopher W. Klaus Advanced Computing Building at Georgia Tech.
- Co-founded CREATE-X, which had helped launch more than 500 student startups by its tenth anniversary in 2024.
- Received a Georgia Tech honorary doctorate in May 2025.
- Offered incorporation-cost support to Georgia Tech’s spring 2025 graduating class.
- Co-chaired the National Common Criteria Task Force on software security certification.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Fusen’s network included 123 active student-founded companies across more than 15 universities; its summer fellowship had hosted two cohorts.
- **2026-04** — Georgia Tech’s 2026 Klaus Startup Challenge advertised $150,000 investments for each of three winning teams, accompanied by Fusen advisory support.
- **2025-10** — ARCS Foundation announced an October 21 virtual session with Klaus on assessing the commercial potential of doctoral research.
- **2025-05** — Delivered Georgia Tech commencement address, received an honorary doctorate and pledged incorporation-cost support for graduating student founders.

## Links

- Website: https://fusen.world/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chklaus/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/cklaus1
- Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/cklaus.bsky.social

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/christopher-klaus
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-27