Blackboard Co-Founder invests in outdoor gear for kids
07 May '07
3 min read
Upside Over Inc announced the successful completion of private equity financing with Stephen Gilfus, a leading D.C. internet entrepreneur with experience in growing hi-tech online companies.
"Mr. Gilfus is exactly the type of investor Upside Over has been looking for," said Upside Over's President and CEO Peter Dean. "Beyond committing the financial resources necessary to help fuel Upside Over's expansion, Stephen knows how to grow online companies smartly and will be a fantastic addition to our management team."
A Co-Founder of Blackboard, Inc., Mr. Gilfus is Upside Over's lead angel investor and will join the Company's Board of Directors. Blackboard Inc is a leading provider of enterprise software applications and related services to the education industry. Founded in 1997, Blackboard enables educational innovations everywhere by connecting people and technology.
Millions of people use Blackboard everyday at academic institutions around the globe, including colleges, universities, K-12 schools and other education providers, as well as textbook publishers and student-focused merchants that serve education providers and their students. Blackboard is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with offices in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia.
"In late 2006, I began searching for a fast growing start-up that I thought had the team and technology necessary to make it big in a growing niche marketplace," said Stephen. "Upside Over, with its emphasis on providing technical outdoor gear and clothing to kids and active families, while leveraging advanced technology for online retailing, met every one of my criteria. It clearly stands out as one of the most promising young Internet specialty retail companies."
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