|
|
|
Foundation
|
About the Open Channel Foundation
and
Open Channel Software
The concept for Open Channel Software was developed in early 1999 by Douglas Curry in
collaboration with Professors Stuart Kurtz and Ridgway Scott,
both on the faculty of the University of Chicago. These
individuals saw the need for a new mechanism to efficiently publish software from the university while allowing for the commercialization of the most promising programs. They developed the idea of a separating the
publishing entity from the commercialization process by creating a non-profit
organization (Open Channel Foundation) devoted to publication and community building. The parent company, Open Channel Software, handles the commercialization process.
John Kennedy joined the effort in mid-1999 after having sold his first
software company the previous year. He expanded the core concept to include software created within any academic or research institution, not just the University of Chicago. A business plan was created around these goals.
Initial funding was raised from ARCH Development, the Illinois Coalition (IDFA), and private investors. The goal of
this initial funding is to establish the feasibility of the concept by publishing software programs within certain Disciplines and beginning the process of commercialization on selected applications. The company is located in an office/loft space on the north side of Chicago.
|
|
|
|
