Niklas Zennstrom
Niklas Zennstrom
Niklas Zennströmis a Swedish entrepreneur best known for founding several high-profile online ventures with Janus Friis including Skype and Kazaa. More recently he founded the technology investment firm Atomico and has become a significant figurehead for entrepreneurs in the tech sector. Zennström is also the co-founder of the charity organization Zennström Philanthropies...
NationalitySwedish
ProfessionScientist
CountrySweden
founded half london
We were founded on Aug. 29, 2003, and now have 70 employees, about half in London and half in Tallinn, Estonia, and some in Luxembourg.
given half million people users via worldwide
We have 2 million users in the U.S. and about 13 million worldwide in more than 200 countries. We're getting 80,000 new users each day. And more than half a million people are connected via Skype at any given moment.
love-is half one-love
It's extremely hard to build a company with a product that everyone loves, is free and has no business model, and then to innovate a business model. I did that with Kazaa, had half a billion downloads but that wasn't a sustainable business.
concept files possible proof rather technical transfer users
It was more a technical proof of concept that it was possible to transfer files between two end users rather than going through servers.
anyone call computer downloaded lets skype
Skype to Skype lets you call anyone else in the world who has downloaded the Skype application on their computer or PDA, for free.
calls land mobile people phone phones receive skype
At the office, we actually don't have a land phone line. We use Skype mostly, and mobile phones to receive calls from people not on Skype.
both call land line low mobile software technology using
At no charge, if they both have the software installed. Or by using SkypeOut if they need to call a land line or mobile at low rates.
business denmark downside financing global goes instead launching people product protection require sweden willing
People do business in Sweden and it goes well; they may try launching the product in Denmark instead of considering a global business plan. On the financing side, VCs require too much downside protection and are not willing enough to take risks.
industry largest revenue single source technology
But that technology enabled the movie industry to make much more revenue. The single largest revenue source for the movie industry is videos.
absolutely china growth market top
China is one of our absolutely top markets; it is a big growth market for broadband,
ease people
revolutionize the ease with which people can communicate through the Internet.
computer internet matter people simple talking
We want to make talking over the Internet the most natural, simple thing for people all over the world to do - no matter which computer they use.
beer broader cannes drink elbow electric fair freaks gives guys pool seek shoot technology vanity
They are technology freaks and not the kind of guys who seek publicity, but a Vanity Fair shoot in Cannes gives them a broader appeal. We drink beer in the Electric and play pool at the Elbow Room.
easier people release talk video
With the release of our new software, it's never been easier for people to talk to one another for free, and now they can see each other with video as well.