Noel has been part of the Silicon Valley venture capital community for 35 years. Prior to co-founding Trinity Ventures in 1986, he was co-founder of three successful technology startups, and CEO of two of them, Covalent Systems and Acurex. From 1983 to 1986, he led Covalent Systems from start-up to a profitable $12 million sales level in three years. He led Acurex from 1972 to 1982 during a period when sales increased nearly ten-fold to $65 million.
Noel is actively involved in the World Presidents' Organization and the Stanford Athletic Board, and is a past chairman of the Northern California Chapter of the Young Presidents' Organization and a past chairman of the American Electronics Association.