Letter to Reader
My name is Damien Patton, and for over two decades, I’ve been deeply immersed in the world of technology and AI, driven by an unwavering passion to innovate and create lasting change. My journey has been anything but easy. Difficult circumstances at home resulted in me living on the streets of LA as a young teen, where I got swept up into a world that most don’t get out of. In 2020, those early traumatic experiences were unexpectedly thrust into the public eye. Thanks to the support of organizations like the Anti-Defamation League, I’ve been able to tell my story and help others avoid similar dangers.
My past, with all its triumphs and trials, has shaped who I am today, fueling a deep commitment to making a meaningful impact—not just in the tech world, but far beyond it.
Thank you for following me on this journey.
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From the Navy to NASCAR
My journey from serving in Desert Storm to a nearly decade-long career in NASCAR has been shaped by discipline, resilience, and teamwork. As Chief Mechanic for the Lowe’s Racing Team, I applied my military work ethic to thrive in a demanding environment. These experiences helped me develop The Butterfly Principle™ and deeply influenced my approach to innovation.
“Racing is about moving fast while minimizing mistakes—lessons that are just as critical in building successful companies.”
Success as Founder & CEO
Early in my tech career, I launched an international flooring company and created a leading website known as “The Web’s Flooring Authority”, accessible to those with disabilities. After winning two back-to-back hackathons, I moved to Silicon Valley, where I launched a startup that gained 1 million users in 9 months and revolutionized real-time data processing. With over 75 patents in areas such as AI, Machine Learning, and Blockchain Technology, I’ve always strived to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Confronting a Challenging Past
When a deeply traumatic chapter of my childhood was suddenly thrust into the public eye, I was forced to relive events from over 30 years ago. I am profoundly grateful to people like Jonathan Greenblatt and Dana Bash who gave me the opportunity to share my story when once again, so many wanted to cast me aside. Through their platforms, I was able to shed light on just how easily a vulnerable child can be drawn into the grips of a hate group. My hope is that by telling my story, I can help steer others away from the dangers I once faced.
Learn more: CNN Special Report: Rising Hate: Antisemitism in America.
Mentoring the Next Generation
I’ve had the privilege of mentoring many engineers and entrepreneurs. My involvement with the Harvard Innovation Lab and Stanford University allowed me to provide insights that I’ve gained through years of overcoming challenges and pushing the boundaries of technology. Mentoring others has always been important to me and I believe that giving others your time can truly make a difference in someone’s journey.
“We got the internet wrong. We got social media wrong. If we get AI wrong, it’s going to make those look like child’s play.”
With advancements in AI, privacy and security are now finally at the forefront of discussions concerning the future of technology. Over a decade ago, I sat down with the App Developers Alliance to discuss how personal data had become a form of currency on social media—a concept that was rarely discussed at the time.
I remain deeply committed to addressing the ethical challenges in tech to ensure that innovation does not come at the cost of individual rights to privacy.
In the News
In April 2020, the company Banjo was a high-growth tech startup based in Utah with hundreds of millions of dollars in funding.
Damien Patton, its founder and CEO, was a self-acknowledged formerly homeless gang member who went on to become a Navy vet, NASCAR mechanic and then a self-taught coder.
His story was an inspiration.
“How do you break into NASCAR–the most successful spectator sport outside of the NFL–especially when you’re sitting in Desert Storm in the Middle East?” That was the question Banjo CEO Damien Patton asked himself while serving in the first Gulf War. He had seen his first NASCAR race during his years in the military. He saw the speedy crews servicing the racers and told himself he was going to do that one day. “Everyone made fun of me and said ‘How are you going to get into that? It’s like getting into the NFL.’”
Damien Patton, founder of Banjo, explains why both investigators and entrepreneurs need to use deductive reasoning to choose the best path forward.
In the last decade, we’ve seen a troubling surge in the radicalization of minors online, leading to violent acts in cities across America, from Charlottesville, Va., to our most prestigious universities. Many of these young individuals are capable of leading productive lives if given the chance to reform. Yet, their current paths, fueled by hate, could irreversibly destroy their futures. We must act now.
Banjo founder Damien Patton explains how he decided to focus on building the world’s first “crystal ball” after identifying a suspect during the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.
The Redwood City company analyzes social media data by location and time.
