I Need 50 Million Euros (or: my campus company)

No, I'm not a bank in trouble, nor did I overspend during my mid-life crises. I'm just excited about various technologies I came across in the last few months. The owners of these technologies all need a home to complete and package their intellectual property into solutions. The markets are waiting for them, and these people need a marketing, sales and support organization to start making money. I think this requires a "campus company".

In this period the world seems to be dominated by the big hardware and software conglomerates, who have acquired and consolidated a large number of the innovative software companies during the last five years. I see a new breed of startups and phase-two companies that could trigger a next wave of innovation in the IT-landscape.

Are these companies just a next wave or do they differ from previous generations? I see some distinct differences: Technology for business sake, integrated solutions, and industry veterans.

Technology for Business Sake

All started with a business frustration in mind. Either being the limitations of older products, the kill of a brilliant concept in a previous company or just a flash of brightness, all inventors have seen that things didn't work for the business they were invented. And although maybe not yet perfectly shaped and packaged, the new solutions are aimed at resolving business issues, not technology for technology sake.

Integrated Solutions

The underlying technical architecture is flexible. Based upon components, rules engines and Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) principles almost anything is possible. The right kind of support delivered from help desk to sourced Software as a Service (SaaS). The struggle is to limit yourself to just delivering the integrated solutions the market is waiting for:

• Answer to a defined problem
• Out of the box basic implementation
• All hard and software elements included

Industry Veterans

The technology and solutions are largely invented and created by industry veterans. De-hyped, using a mix of proven underlying bespoke and open source technology. Nothing against the whiz-kids of today, but a healthy doses of "seen it, done it, can do better" is a good driver for innovation. Cashing also for them is important, but personal satisfaction is an equal important element.

Time Is Right

All see the importance of good marketing & sales. All see the costs and risks involved. Some have had no sales yet, others have had success for a number of years, and struggle with further growth. Some know that it's not the best product that sells, but the right product for the right market at the right time. Others still need to make this mental mind shift.

My Campus Company

I would love to start MyCampusCompany at which the new wave of solutions can be completed and marketed. Not just another financing vehicle, but a home where innovation, cross-fertilization and smart marketing and sales meet. No arrogance, no politics: All entrepreneurs in their own way, all focused on customer and personal satisfaction.

You Want Examples?

On our website you will find some sharp solutions! And I have short list of more. And a long list of many more.

Dreaming? Awful timing? I don't think so. And you? Let me know if you share my ideas or indeed think I'm a dreamer. Got (a part of) the 50 million for me? Let's talk.