Mark Cuban was born on July 31, 1958, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Indiana University in 1981 with a degree in Business. After college, Cuban moved to Dallas, Texas and created a computer consulting business called "MicroSolutions" which transformed him into a millionaire when he sold the business to CompuServe in 1990. In 1995, Mark and his business partner began working on an idea (that later became known as Broadcast.com) in order to stream live events over the Internet. This innovative duo sold their company to Yahoo.com in 1999 for billions of dollars in Yahoo! stock. Mr. Cuban went on to purchase the NBA's Dallas Mavericks basketball franchise for $285 million on January 14, 2000, dramatically changing the team for the better. Mark's brilliant ability to lead this organization and mold the Mavericks into an evolving superior force led the team to reach the NBA Finals in 2006 for the first time in franchise history.
Beyond that, Cuban launched the high-definition television network "HDNet" in September of 2001 with . HDNet provides the highest level of digital broadcast quality available. Mark and Todd Wagner established a media company named "2929" with holdings that cover many aspects of entertainment. This includes film production companies HDNet Films and 2929 Productions, movie distributor Magnolia Pictures, home video distributor Magnolia Home Entertainment, the Landmark Theatres chain, and a stake in Lions Gate Entertainment.
Mr. Cuban is famous for his bold, unambiguous views and mindset, which has a great deal to do with his perpetual success. He continues to challenge the status quo in the worlds of media and technology. In 2005, Mark announced he was financially backing the underdog in a U.S. Supreme Court "peer-to-peer" file-sharing case. Also in 2005, Cuban experimented with a "day-and-date" model when he produced the film (2005/I) which was released simultaneously across theatrical, television and home video platforms. His stated goal of collapsing the traditional release windows was intended to give consumers the choice in terms of exactly how they might be interested in viewing a film.
It's impossible to truly know what Mark Cuban will create, produce, buy, or sell next, but you can bet it will be considered "genius" just like the man himself.
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David Hosei was a Kelley School junior majoring in entrepreneurship when he got a call from his longtime friend Michael Slate, then a computer science major at Purdue. Slate had launched 3GUPLOAD.com, a Web site offering individualized content for cellular phones—including ringtones, screensavers, and games, and other accessories—in November 2002. He wanted to expand the business, and asked Hosei to be his partner. Hosei joined the venture in March of 2003. John Scrofano, an "extremely intelligent, committed" friend of Hosei's from IU, joined the team in May of 2004, bringing to the table his skills in business development, contract management, finance, and accounting.
By that time, 3GUPLOAD was already the No. 1 mobile destination on the Internet. 3G currently has 40 employees, an office in Indianapolis, and is a top Internet provider to mobile users in the United States, serving a market of over $600 million.
"When I come in to work, I think about what strategies to move forward with, design requirements and execute," Hosei said. "The freedom of running our own company has been the most gratifying feeling."
So, how did Hosei, Slate, and Scrofano go from student to CEO? It all started when Slate uploaded his Web hosting company logo onto his mobile phone and thought others would like the opportunity to do the same (3G stands for "third generation" mobile phones). He spent two weeks programming in his college apartment before launching the site. Once Hosei became involved, the two incorporated the business and hired key employees and advisors, modifying the business model as they went along.
Much of their time, energy, and money were spent establishing relationships with partners around the world. "We have licenses with over 100 publishers, four major record labels, and performing arts societies. We currently have an on-staff licensing team, industry insiders, and a great law firm in downtown Indianapolis working with existing and future partners," said Hosei.
Hosei's advice to other would-be entrepreneurs: Believe in yourself, keep your eyes open to opportunity, don't be arrogant, be consistent, and never give up on starting businesses.
Above all, you're never too young to follow your dream.
"Michael and I grew up in the same neighborhood when we were in elementary school," said Hosei, who with Slate started "Helping Educate Lots of People," Videos 4 Life, and I/O Medical Systems. "We've been starting businesses together since we were in high school."
3G currently has positions available for programmers, licensing administrators, and interns. |
