Skype’s Sten Tamkivi teaching at Stanford

BlackBerry 9000

General Manager of Skype Estonia (their largest and original office) speaking at Stanford. Q&A happening now…

Over 400 million users.

If Skype were a country, it would be the third largest telecom market.

90% are using non-English versions of the client.

Over 25% of calls are with video!

30% is business use.

Estonia has as many programmers as Google hires in a year.

First version was built by 4 people in 4 months and 2 months later, we had 1 million users.

.5B revenue and profitable in 08 and 07.

P.S. Sten hosted me on my first visit to Skype, and I can finally return the favor by hosting him here.

10 responses to “Skype’s Sten Tamkivi teaching at Stanford”

biotron

Mar 10, 2009 at 12:57 am

incredible stats

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ideastoday

Mar 10, 2009 at 1:58 am

"First version was built by 4 people in 4 months". Pretty incredible what a small group of motivated people can accomplish.

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jurvetson

Mar 10, 2009 at 2:24 am

Yes… And Hotmail took 2.5 people and three months.

More than 5 people, and creative teams become less productive, IMHO.

More Sten & my thoughts to Set Skype Free!

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!MimosaMicheMichelle!

Mar 10, 2009 at 2:37 am

– Reciprocated favours are some of the most satisfying social experiences.

– Great innovative ideas practically mushroom on their own.

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Ross Mayfield

Mar 10, 2009 at 6:05 am

Sten’s in town? dude…

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jurvetson

Mar 10, 2009 at 4:10 pm

Yes, for the week. Give him a ping.

Sorry I forgot to give you the heads up on this European Entrepreneurship speaker series. April 6 is another Esto day, with Kalev Kask of EGeen.

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msamaclean ©

Mar 10, 2009 at 7:26 pm

Great stats. A good idea that exploded!
I’m sure he’ll enjoy your hospitality.

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benjiman

Mar 11, 2009 at 4:27 am

Totally agree on the creative team size.

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burtonlee22

Mar 16, 2009 at 8:43 am

Hi Steve, it was a pleasure to meet you briefly at Stanford during Sten’s talk…sorry you could not make it for dinner that evening, but we hope you can join us in Spring Quarter sometime…and thanks for bringing your Mom and Dad along…

A small favor: could you pls provide a link back to our Stanford website where we have posted additional info on Sten and the Stanford European Entrepreneurship program? Here is the link:

http://www.europeanentrepreneursatstanford.com

Thanks!

Burton

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jurvetson

Apr 16, 2009 at 6:14 pm

Burton – certainly. There was a link in my comment, and now in the photo caption as well.

Skype is in the news…. Here is an interesting photo from the following day…

Reply

Skype’s Sten Tamkivi teaching at Stanford

10 responses to “Skype’s Sten Tamkivi teaching at Stanford”

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