# Emmanuel Benzaquen

> Emmanuel Benzaquen is the co-founder, former CEO and board member of Checkmarx. With earlier experience in Silicon Valley software and semiconductor businesses, he led the application-security company from its 2006 beginnings through the 2020 acquisition agreement at a $1.15 billion valuation, then handed the CEO role to Sandeep Johri in February 2023 while remaining on the board.

- **Role:** Co-founder and board member at Checkmarx
- **Organizations:** Checkmarx, Argonaut RISC Core (ARC), Embedded Performance, Inc., Illuminator, Integrity Systems, Virage Logic
- **From:** Paris, France
- **Education:** Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, Polytechnique Nantes, France, MBA in International Business, ISM, California
- **Known for:** Led Checkmarx as CEO for 17 years., Led the company through a 2020 acquisition agreement at a $1.15 billion valuation., Checkmarx reported more than 1,800 customers worldwide at the February 2023 CEO transition.

## Career timeline

- **Before 2006** — Worked in semiconductor, software and IT businesses, including heading business development at ARC in San Jose.
- **2000** — ARC completed its IPO during his career there.
- **2003-2005** — Travelled between the United States and Israel while consulting in Israeli technology.
- **2006** — Joined forces with Maty Siman to build Checkmarx and became CEO.
- **2017** — Led Checkmarx when it acquired secure-coding education company Codebashing.
- **2020** — Led Checkmarx through its acquisition agreement with Hellman & Friedman at a $1.15 billion valuation.
- **2023-02** — Succeeded as CEO by Sandeep Johri; continued on the board.

## Achievements

- Led Checkmarx as CEO for 17 years.
- Led the company through a 2020 acquisition agreement at a $1.15 billion valuation.
- Checkmarx reported more than 1,800 customers worldwide at the February 2023 CEO transition.

## Latest updates

- **2024-08** — Named among existing Checkmarx directors in the announcement of Inbal Shani’s board appointment.
- **2023-02** — Handed the CEO role to Sandeep Johri and remained on the board.

## Links

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmanuel-benzaquen-70344/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/emmanuel-benzaquen
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-20