Brightspark founder addresses Business Club

Mark Skapinker, founder of Brightspark Inc.

2000-03-08 - The challenge of succeeding as a "dot-com" startup was the topic when Mark Skapinker, founder of Brightspark Inc., addressed the Queen's Business Club over lunch at the high-tech Sega Playdium in downtown Toronto.

Between 70% and 80% of Internet startups fail, Mr. Skapinker told the large crowd of Queen's Alumni and guests. His company Brightspark is Canada's leading Internet incubator, which helps provide startup firms with the infrastructure and expertise needed to beat those daunting odds.

Some of Mr. Skapinker's advice defies the traditional business school teaching. He believes young companies must be prepared to re-write their business plan several times in the first year. Being flexible allows the firm to seize opportunities swiftly, potentially beating their competitors to market with the next "bright idea."

Mr. Skapinker is a pioneer in the Canadian high-tech community, and one of the visionaries behind the development of the personal computer software industry in Canada. He is co-founder and former president of Delrina, and founder of Balisoft (now Servicesoft, of which he remains Chairman).