While I was away Matt sent me an email turning my attention to Business Week’s cover story.

I’ve been familiar with Intellectual Ventures for a while - having had numerous discussions on IV’s merits with my brother. While David loves the idea I’ve been hesitant about the possible issues with such a firm (Dave does do a nice job describing a vertical where such a model could add great value).

The article sheds some light on IV - discussing the firms history, how it operates, its research sessions (these sound incredible), outlining the patent-troll worry, and describing possible future paths that the firm could follow. Definitely a must read.

While I’m still hesitant about the possibility of innovation-stifling patent-trolling I was excited to read the vision of CEO and co-founder Nathan Myhrvold.

Myhrvold views himself, and IV, as Invention Capitalists

Invention Capitalists. A specialization company fulfilling a critical element necessary for the innovation of innovation

Myhrvold has no interest in manufacturing and marketing new products. His plan is to offload all of that work to licensees.

The changing world we live in is rapidly allowing companies to specialize along business stage/process pathways - allowing firms to develop competitive advantage through niche skillsets rather than simple product sets.

The specialization market is new, the future rewards rich. Find a need. Fill it. Love it. Die doing it.

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