This Tech Startup’s Youngest Founder Is 75
Founders Ellingson, Dean, and Kittelberger (pictured with early investor John Monett, far right) took advantage of the Patent Office’s fast track for inventors over 65.
Photographer: Daniel Dorsa for Bloomberg Businessweek
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 cyberattack. 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.”