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À bientôt, Optaros
I have left Optaros. I have a unique opportunity to co-found a start-up again, building the technology side of the company, and I would always regret passing it up. Such opportunities are rare.
It's been a privilege to be a part of the Optaros management team and to contribute through its initial stage of growth, helping shape the open source software positions and strategy, and to work with the awesome team there. The consulting teams continue to put the company on the map by consistently delivering excellent work. It's been my pleasure to have helped put the company into the public eye working with the press and analysts, demonstrating our thought leadership, and keeping the company well represented in the larger open source software community. Optaros has a brilliant future in front of it. I will sorely miss working with the team.
But now I get to build a new team again. People that have heard me talk about building the technology team at Softway Systems will know that I believe there is nothing more fun than building the team and unleashing it on a righteous problem. The new company is still very much under cover, but we will be delivering a web hosted solution for small business communities through a lean and simple browser interface. We are Portland, OR based. Think AJAX. Think Ruby-on-Rails. Think open source software. Imagine turning certain bloated business software idioms on their collective head. Imagine what trust and reputation really mean in a community of companies. The recruiting drive begins .... NOW.
Copyright lightmatter
Good luck, Stephe. Hope it turns out well for you and yours...
Posted by: Geoff Coupe | 15 September 2006 at 11:21
Stephe - it'll be good to have you down in Portland (although I assume you'll keep your home and family up in WA). Next time you're in town, let me know and I'll buy you a Stumptown coffee.
Posted by: Raven Zachary | 15 September 2006 at 19:27
good luck stephen and let us know more (when you can) about your new company, exciting!
- didier
Posted by: didier | 17 September 2006 at 02:54
Consider me shocked and awed. I look forward to catching up with you soon.
Posted by: John Mark | 19 September 2006 at 13:59
Stephen: Exciting news! Best of luck and as always stay in touch.
-terri
Posted by: Terri Molini | 21 September 2006 at 14:20
Congratulations Stephen. You often spoke of the desire to get back to the Softway Experience. I'm still living in Portland, but on the road far too much. Let me know when you'll be in town.
Jason
Posted by: Jason Matusow | 23 September 2006 at 12:14
Good news for LaVonne as well. Imagine building that next wave of agile businesses who don't have to ask a dozen proprietary interests "Where can I go today?" Congrats to Portland too, each successive wave of collaboration builds on top of an existing pool of good will, reputation and trust. Quite a change from the same old players vying for customer lock-in.
Posted by: David Pool | 25 September 2006 at 14:42
Congratulations!!! It sounds like a lot of fun.
Deb
Posted by: Debbie | 29 September 2006 at 05:52
Great to hear this and good luck (and I've subscribed to the feed now :)! -B
Posted by: Bill Hilf | 09 October 2006 at 21:26
Congratulations Stephen, I wish you all the best in your new venture! Keep in touch.
Renat
Altoros
Posted by: Renat Khasanshyn | 10 October 2006 at 14:04