Lycos Co-Founder Will be Colorado State University’s Entrepreneur-In-Residence Nov. 21 – 22

Lycos co-founder Jan Horsfall will share his business insight as Entrepreneur-In-Residence at Colorado State University’s College of Business Nov. 21-22.

Horsfall, also the founder of Gemini Voice Solutions Inc., a broadband voice company, will speak on the topics of entrepreneurship and new venture management at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Nov. 21 in Room 119 of Rockwell Hall on the Colorado State campus. The lectures are free and open to the public.

Within the past year, Horsfall launched White Summit Strategies, a Colorado Springs-based venture capital firm that leads invested clients in developing their new business through strategy initiatives and new product solutions.

Horsfall will meet individually with business students during his visit to Colorado State on Nov. 22 to share his experiences in starting and managing a successful business. Students who wish to talk personally with Horsfall should make a reservation by clicking on EIR chat sessions at www.biz.colostate.edu/cefe/.

"Being an entrepreneur has changed the way I live my life," said Horsfall. "It’s not just about being innovative in business. It’s about being innovative and passionate about your life as well. I’m hoping that some of this type of thinking will inspire the students who attend. It’s important to understand the broader ideology behind what being an entrepreneur is all about."

Prior to establishing GVS, Horsfall was the youngest vice president at the Valvoline Company. He began his career with Valvoline as a sales representative and became a top marketing executive faster than anyone prior to his tenure.

Following his success with Valvoline, Horsfall helped to found Lycos in 1994 with Ted Phillip of Disney and Bob Davis of Wang Computers. While at Lycos, he served as senior marketing officer with the internet-based company. Lycos was sold to the Spanish company, Terra Networks, for $12.5 billion in 2001.

GVS, Horsfall’s broadband voice company, privately acquired more than $50 million to fund and operate the company, and secured more than 3.5 million long distance users within 18 months of inception, creating havoc within the old telecommunications units such as AT&T and Sprint. He actively serves as vice chairman of the company.

Horsfall’s new company, White Summit Strategies, utilizes a consortium of about 20 individuals who band together to invest.

"Being an entrepreneur isn’t just about starting a business, it’s about an entire mindset that affects the way people interact and approach business, their social contributions, their family and lives," said Horsfall. "It’s the difference between taking a passionate and inventive approach to your life or settling for what’s handed to you by others."

Horsfall graduated from Colorado State University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing in 1982.

The Entrepreneur-in-Residence program was developed by Colorado State’s College of Business entrepreneurship program in 1999 to provide students will real-life experiences that traditional university courses often lack.

"It is an incredible opportunity for our students, faculty and community to have access to such a highly successful and versatile entrepreneur," said Hunt Lambert, director of the Entrepreneurship Center.

The event is sponsored by First National Bank and the Entrepreneurship Leadership Council of the Entrepreneurship Center.

For more information or to attend the event, contact Elise Milnes at (970) 491-6876.