Skype co-founder to talk about the secrets of business success

  • October 18, 2010
Skype co-founder to talk about the secrets of business success

Niklas Zennstrom gives a Gates Distinguished Lecture on Tuesday.

One of the founders of Skype will give some pointers on how to set up “game changing businesses” at a lecture on Tuesday.

Niklas Zennström, the Founder of Skype and Kazaa, will give a Gates Distinguished Lecture on the secrets of being a successful entrepreneur. 

His lecture, Entrepreneurship Revealed:  Building Game Changing Businesses, will draw on his numerous personal experiences in building game-changing technology businesses to give an insight into his thoughts about what he calls “the roller-coaster which has been the last decade”. 

After Zennstrom’s speech there will be an opportunity to ask questions about entrepreneurship, technology, and also about Zennstrom’s current focus as an investor.

Niklas Zennström is an entrepreneur and investor, who has co-founded and managed a series of high-profile technology companies including Skype, Kazaa, Joost and Joltid.  He is best known for co-creating Skype, where he held the position of CEO from Skype’s inception until September 2007.

During that time, Skype became the global leader in internet voice communications, with more than 309 million registered users within five years of launch.

Zennström is also actively involved in combating climate change, improving the state of the Baltic Sea and encouraging social entrepreneurship through his foundation, Zennström Philanthropies.  Time Magazine named Zennström one of its 100 Most influential People in 2006.

Lindsay Chura, external officer of the Gates Scholars Council which organises the lecture series, said: “The Gates community is delighted that Mr Zennstrom will open the Gates Distinguished Lecture Series for the new academic year.  Skype exemplifies the power and potential that technology can play in bringing together our increasingly interconnected and globalised world.”

The Lecture takes place from 6 to 7.30pm in the Cambridge Union Society Debating Chamber and is open to university members and accompanied guests.

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