# Darren Bonnstetter

> Darren Bonnstetter is the CEO of Conexiom, a Vancouver-based AI-native platform automating sales order processing for manufacturers and distributors. Appointed in August 2025, he brings a rare blend of mechanical engineering rigor (Iowa State, Stanford MS, Harvard MBA), turnaround consulting at AlixPartners, and climate-tech entrepreneurship - having co-founded and led 280 Earth, a Google X spinout that raised $50M to capture carbon using industrial waste heat. At Conexiom, he leads a 210-person company serving 16 of the top 20 distributors globally, with $170M in total funding backed by Warburg Pincus, Luminate Capital Partners, and ICONIQ Capital.

- **Role:** CEO at Conexiom
- **Organizations:** Conexiom, 280 Earth, Google X, AlixPartners, General Motors
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, Iowa State University, Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, MBA, Harvard Business School
- **Known for:** GM Fellowship Award recipient to both Stanford University and Harvard Business School, Co-founded 280 Earth (Google X spinout) and led it to $50M Series B funding, Secured Alphabet as an investor in 280 Earth's $50M round

## Career timeline

- **early career** — Joined General Motors as engineer; held design, manufacturing, and management roles in U.S. and Brazil for 11+ years; received GM Scholar designation and GM Fellowship Awards to Stanford and Harvard
- **mid career** — Joined AlixPartners as Director, Performance Improvement group; executed turnarounds in telecom, automotive, steel, retail, and distribution
- **~2022** — Joined Google X to co-lead direct air capture initiative; co-founded 280 Earth with John Pimentel and Jacques Gagne
- **2024 (February)** — 280 Earth graduated from Google X to become an independent company
- **2024 (May)** — 280 Earth raised $50M Series B from Builders VC and Alphabet
- **2025 (August 7)** — Appointed Chief Executive Officer of Conexiom, succeeding retiring CEO John McNeill

## Achievements

- GM Fellowship Award recipient to both Stanford University and Harvard Business School
- Co-founded 280 Earth (Google X spinout) and led it to $50M Series B funding
- Secured Alphabet as an investor in 280 Earth's $50M round
- Appointed CEO of Conexiom, a $170M-funded AI order automation platform serving 16 of the top 20 global distributors
- Built and led teams across climate tech, enterprise software, turnaround consulting, and industrial manufacturing
- Helped establish 280 Earth's pilot carbon capture facility in The Dalles, Oregon

## Latest updates

- **2025-08** — Appointed CEO of Conexiom, replacing retiring CEO John McNeill
- **2024-05** — 280 Earth raised $50M Series B with Alphabet as investor
- **2024-02** — 280 Earth graduated from Google X to become an independent company
- **2021-10** — Conexiom (his current company) closed $130M Private Equity round led by Warburg Pincus

## Links

- Website: https://conexiom.com
- LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-bonnstetter-017528
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/zbonnstetter
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/public/Darren-Bonnstetter

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/darren-bonnstetter
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-17