Netscape's Jim Clark returns: Launches CommandScape
Remember how Jim Clark left Silicon Valley a few years ago to do real estate in Flordia, and started bad-mouthing Silicon Valley? Well, according to this Bloomberg story, the Internet pioneer who co-founded Netscape plans to start marketing computer software that he developed to automate his two yachts and Florida mansion.
The private company is called CommandScape, and based Redwood City, according to the piece. We checked the Web site, and it's still in construction.
Apparently, he's put $6.7 million of his money into the company and raised $5 million more from investors, and thinks it could eventually generate $50 million in revenue (so is he not pushing for grandslam, or is he just being cautious this time?).
"I don't have in mind a massive consumer play here," Clark, 61, said in an interview. "There is a potential to build a nice, tidy little business."
Apparently, CommandScape's actual CEO, Andrew Wood, differs from that view, telling Bloomberg he envisions "hundreds of millions" in annual revenue eventually. So while we say Clark has returned in our headline, perhaps it's with money only -- looks like he'll be staying in Florida, and handing over the ship to Wood.
Via Techdirt, which has more.
Awww, C'mon. Jim Clark was just being Jim Clark when he was dissing the state of the valley. All he did was say out loud that things were dismal in the valley in his own style. Maybe people were simply envious that he cashed out and ran at the right time, didn't stick around to share the misery.
Grunt on June 27, 2005 10:26 AMComment link