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Attention Mathematical Infidels

By Phage (Fri Feb 23, 2007 at 08:44:25 AM EST) (all tags)

This diary may contain traces of pimpage

I had dinner with a bloke who turns out to be a big-time business leader, and part time mathematician. We got to talking about new business models, the open-source movement and from there we went on to applied maths in business.

Turns out he has a stack of money and he and his buddies are starting up a VC firm for the application of maths. i.e. netflix predictors, queue management, data compression, encryption and so on and so forth.

[Update]It just occurred to me that I should point out that this by no means limited to EUia. This is open to all.

So, if you have a great idea/algorithm hidden under your pillow, or warez collection, that you think can make some cash, or just improve the world, I'll be posting some more details here soon of how to get some investors.

In the meantime, if anyone could point me to maths sites or similar I'd be very grateful. If you want to pass details on I'm OK with that.

NB - I am not a shareholder or employee, nor stand to profit in any way from this blokes firm. I know him moderately well, know that he is inordinately wealthy, moderately geeky and I think that this is a good idea that deserves a little support.

More details as they come to hand, and all suggestions gratefully received. (Apart from Anglo-Saxon suggestions that may be translated as go forth and multiply.) If you have any questions let me know.

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Attention Mathematical Infidels | 14 comments (14 topical, 0 hidden) | Trackback

I'm no mathemetician by Herring (2.00 / 0) #1 Fri Feb 23, 2007 at 09:10:05 AM EST

But I know of a few ex-Crap Corp people who are financial/mathematical genii. I'm just the guy who can interface between them and normal people.

Is he interested in financials at all?

I'm English, and as such I crave disappointment. - Bill Bailey

In what way ? by Phage (2.00 / 0) #2 Fri Feb 23, 2007 at 09:12:51 AM EST

Do you mean quants and similar analysts ?
But to answer your question - They're a VC firm. If they think anything is a good idea, at any stage of development, they'll pump money into it

Founder member Golgafrinchan 'B' Ark
[ Parent ]

Depends by Herring (2.00 / 0) #3 Fri Feb 23, 2007 at 09:17:50 AM EST

I'm talking actuaries here.

The sort of stuff I've worked on with these guys is things like econometric modelling, stochastic asset/liability modelling (pensions and insurance), application of stochastic modelling to consumer quotation engines .... things.

I did actually contribute something to the stochastic ALM field. A couple of days after 9/11, I wondered what the effect of having half your workforce wiped out would be on a company pension scheme. So I invented stochastic mortality. It never made it into a commercial product though.

I'm English, and as such I crave disappointment. - Bill Bailey
[ Parent ]

Oh, and Top Tip: by Herring (4.00 / 2) #4 Fri Feb 23, 2007 at 09:20:20 AM EST

On no account ask me about any of this stuff when I've been drinking. I may just tell you.

I'm English, and as such I crave disappointment. - Bill Bailey
[ Parent ]

: Duly noted nt by Phage (2.00 / 0) #6 Fri Feb 23, 2007 at 09:22:01 AM EST

Founder member Golgafrinchan 'B' Ark
[ Parent ]

They would definitly be interested by Phage (2.00 / 0) #5 Fri Feb 23, 2007 at 09:21:11 AM EST

But I thought that there were a number of products in that space already. Is there room to improve on current models ? Can we make money ?

Founder member Golgafrinchan 'B' Ark
[ Parent ]

Depends where you are aiming by Herring (2.00 / 0) #8 Fri Feb 23, 2007 at 09:29:46 AM EST

The guys I have worked with were very much at the leading edge at the time.

Pensions have changed a lot now that DB schemes are virtually extinct. Whether there's a market for stochastic projections aimed at the "financially aware" consumer, I don't know. Actually it might be interesting to tinker with ...

I'm English, and as such I crave disappointment. - Bill Bailey
[ Parent ]

Exactly what I'm looking for by Phage (2.00 / 0) #9 Fri Feb 23, 2007 at 09:32:21 AM EST

Can you think of any sites of people with similar interests ?
And of course, should you become filthy rich from this you are morally obliged to buy me a Ducati.

Founder member Golgafrinchan 'B' Ark
[ Parent ]

Hmm by Herring (2.00 / 0) #13 Fri Feb 23, 2007 at 09:46:21 AM EST

Leave it with me.

See wiredog! I am getting the hang of management.

I'm English, and as such I crave disappointment. - Bill Bailey
[ Parent ]

: You know where to find me by Phage (2.00 / 0) #14 Fri Feb 23, 2007 at 09:49:12 AM EST

Any recommendations for maths communities ? Encryption boffins ?

Founder member Golgafrinchan 'B' Ark
[ Parent ]

Now that's one for the conspiracy theorists by ambrosen (4.00 / 1) #12 Fri Feb 23, 2007 at 09:42:31 AM EST

Maybe someone with offices in the WTC had a pensions blackhole.

[ Parent ]

Be Careful... by wiredog (4.00 / 2) #7 Fri Feb 23, 2007 at 09:27:05 AM EST

Being "the guy who can interface between them and normal people" puts you in the running to be CEO. And that's a management position. You would become one of them.

Earth First!
_{(We can strip mine the rest later.)}
[ Parent ]

correction by Merekat (2.00 / 0) #10 Fri Feb 23, 2007 at 09:38:36 AM EST

By the time you are CEO, you're really rather remote from the maths dudes. And also from normal people.

[ Parent ]

: Ti Herring by Phage (4.00 / 1) #11 Fri Feb 23, 2007 at 09:39:58 AM EST

<shudder>

Founder member Golgafrinchan 'B' Ark
[ Parent ]

Attention Mathematical Infidels | 14 comments (14 topical, 0 hidden) | Trackback