Founded by Bill Gross in 1996, Idealab has created more than 150 companies, which fueled more than 45 IPOs and acquisitions. Idealab’s current roster of companies includes New Matter, a maker of affordable 3D printers, codeSpark, a business that teaches the basics of computer science to children, and ObEN, a company whose technology allows users to create virtual reality avatars of themselves. HQ, sold in 2017.
COMPETITIVE STRATEGY STUDY
Why Is He Still Smiling? Bill Gross blew through $800 million in 8 months (and he’s got nothing to show for it).
(FORTUNE Magazine)
By Joseph Nocera Reporter Associate Ellen Florian
March 5, 2001
