In tech world, the cool ideas are now on ice
Article Abstract:
The sad result of a technology industry downturn is the absence of fresh new ideas and products. The old cycle of innovation, risk, investment and then success seems to be reversed and this safe new period is seen with the dearth of exciting new products. And when large corporations attempt to dominate the Internet, the level playing field for inventors diminishes. Innovators are also being hurt by fresh copyright and patent restrictions wielded by the large players, stifling change. The few big-risk projects being funded in Silicon Valley are down to a handful, and yet they still try.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 2001
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Launching Barksdale, version 4.0
Article Abstract:
Jim Barksdale, the co-founder of Netscape Communications Corp., is now looking for new ideas involving Internet commerce as a founder of the Barksdale Group, a venture-capital firm he formed with other former Netscape executives. Mr. Barksdale is also returning to the board of FDX Corp., the parent of Federal Express, where he first developed his credentials in managing high-technology operations. He will sit on a new technology committee that will advise the company in planning its future in the age of the Internet. The Barksdale Group so far has invested in three main projects. In May, it invested $5 million in HomeGrocer.com Inc., an online grocery retailer and home-delivery service, based in Bellevue, Washington. Mr. Barksdale, a board member, and Home.Grocer are looking for ways to distribute fresh foods ordered on the Web on the same day that they are ordered. Amazon.com Inc. recently purchased 35% of Home.Grocer with a $42.5 million investment. The two other investments are in Respond.com, which offers an e-mail-driven online-shopping search service, and Tellme Networks Inc., a Silicon Valley start-up that intends to offer telephone access to Internet services.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1999
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Paul Allen is investing $1.65 billion in telecommunications firm RCN Corp
Article Abstract:
Paul Allen's Vulcan Ventures Inc. is increasing its stake in RCN Corp. from 4.9% to 26.7%. RCN is a competitive local exchange company, or CLEC. Mr. Allen's $1.65 billion investment in convertible preferred stock entitles him to two board seats. At the same time, RCN announced its participation in a joint venture with 3 other companies Mr. Allen has invested in. They are Charter Communications, Go2Net Inc., and High Speed Access Corp. RCN has raised $4.6 billion to fund expansion of it fiber optic networks in the East, from Washington D.C. to Boston, and the West, from San Francisco to San Diego.
Publication Name: The Wall Street Journal Western Edition
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0193-2241
Year: 1999
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Wireless networking industry. Foreign telecommunications industry
- Abstracts: An Adelaide practice thrives on software and property syndication. Centred on profit
- Abstracts: Northpoint Communications files for Chapter 11 creditor protection. Lucent launches series of measures to cut work force
- Abstracts: Avnet, 2 others to buy Veba Electronics, in sign of faster industry consolidaton
- Abstracts: Optimizing service attributes: The seller's utility problem. Schedule recovery: unplanned absences in service operations