# Jon Darbyshire

> Jon Darbyshire is the co-founder and CEO of SmartSuite and the co-founder and founding CEO of Archer Technologies, the enterprise governance, risk and compliance software company acquired by EMC in 2010. A former EY partner, he moved into investing and advising before returning to build software with Tara Darbyshire and Peter Novosel.

- **Role:** Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at SmartSuite
- **Organizations:** SmartSuite, Archer Technologies / Archer Integrated Risk Management, EY / Ernst & Young, Price Waterhouse, Archer Foundation
- **Education:** Bachelor of Science, Finance / Accounting, Kansas State University, Ernst & Young Executive MBA Program, International Business, Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management
- **Known for:** Co-founded and led Archer Technologies through its 2010 acquisition by EMC., Archer had 25 percent of Fortune 100 companies as customers at the January 2010 acquisition announcement., Archer sold to 29 of the top 30 US banks, as stated by investor Canapi Ventures.

## Career timeline

- **Before 2000** — Worked at Price Waterhouse and EY; became an EY partner and led its global cybersecurity practice.
- **2000** — Began Archer in a home office with Tara Darbyshire; EDS was an early customer.
- **2010** — EMC acquired Archer Technologies and placed it within RSA.
- **2011** — Listed as general manager of RSA Archer eGRC Solutions when invited to speak at Kansas State business commencement.
- **After Archer** — Moved into investing and advising, with investments directly and through venture groups.
- **2021** — SmartSuite company founding year given in its current company overview; co-founders are Jon Darbyshire, Tara Darbyshire and Peter Novosel.
- **2022** — Discussed SmartSuite’s broad public launch and extended pre-launch development in interviews.
- **2025** — SmartSuite announced $38 million in funding, including a $13 million Series A led by Canapi Ventures.
- **2026** — Published his GRC 2030 vision for connected workflows, continuously updated evidence and AI assistance.

## Achievements

- Co-founded and led Archer Technologies through its 2010 acquisition by EMC.
- Archer had 25 percent of Fortune 100 companies as customers at the January 2010 acquisition announcement.
- Archer sold to 29 of the top 30 US banks, as stated by investor Canapi Ventures.
- Co-founded SmartSuite with Tara Darbyshire and Peter Novosel.
- SmartSuite announced a $13 million Series A in February 2025.

## Latest updates

- **2026-03** — Published GRC 2030: Your Vision for the Future of Risk & Resilience on March 5, setting out his expectations for the field.
- **2025-02** — SmartSuite announced $38 million in funding, including a $13 million Series A led by Canapi Ventures, with Sorenson Capital and High Alpha participating.

## Links

- Website: https://www.smartsuite.com/leadership-team/jon-darbyshire
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jondarbyshire/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/jon-darbyshire
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-21