That Seventies Startup

Infosci’s founders say they have a promising software design but aren’t taking the long view

 

- Sarah McBride

On paper, Infosci looks like a lot of startups whose founders travel Sand Hill Road in search of venture capital. It has the dropout, the ex-CIA guy, the experienced startup seller—and they say they have a way to protect against a key type of cyber attack. But when the three arrive for meetings with potential investors, they aren’t wearing hoodies and flip-flops. The main founders are all 75 to 80, and they’re motivated sellers.

“If we were all 40 years old, we’d be going out, raising a couple million dollars, building a company, taking on RSA,” says John Ellingson, the startup seller, referring to the well-known encryption system. “Since the youngest of us is 75, we have to have a different exit plan.”