Idealab

Bill Gross started Idealab in 1996 to create and operate pioneering technology companies. The structure of Idealab has allowed the company to test many ideas at once and turn the best of them into companies, attracting the human and financial capital necessary to bring them to market.
 
Many of these companies were among the first to introduce new business ideas to the market, including CitySearch, eToys, and GoTo.com.  Idealab continues to explore a range of technology frontiers. New models for improving the search experience are at the core of several companies currently growing inside of Idealab.

Moving beyond the Internet, Idealab has spawned companies with breakthrough technologies in robotics, renewable energy and automotive design and production among others. Idealab also continues to partner with leading venture capital firms and other strategic investors to provide the resources to maximize the potential of these companies.
 
In addition to capital, Idealab provides a full range of resources to infuse start-ups with the support they need to rapidly introduce innovative products and services. Resources include office space and the accompanying office services, development and technology, product and graphic design, marketing, financial advice, human resources, competitive research, legal, accounting and business development support and services. In addition, Idealab provides advice on strategy, branding and corporate structure.

Among Idealab’s current projects is WorldHaus,which is providing housing for the world’s rural poor. WorldHaus manufactures and builds customized, weatherproof homes for families in the developing world at a price they can afford. 
 
To date, Idealab has created and operated more than 75 companies with 30 IPOs and acquisitions.