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Mel Baiada Mel Baiada has emerged as one of the most successful technology entrepreneurs in the last 10 years. From the start-up of Bluestone in 1989, through its IPO in 1999, and the eventual sale to Hewlett Packard in 2001, Mel has demonstrated a superb ability to recognize business opportunities, attract capital and talented employees, and profitability exit an information technology company investment. Mel founded BaseCamp Ventures in 2000 and is the author of its investment vision. BaseCamp’s early successes can be attributed to Mel’s commitment to entrepreneurial business. He has played a significant role in the growth of the high-technology community in Delaware Valley over the last fifteen years. Operating successful product and service-based information technology companies has given him a broad and seasoned perspective of the information technology industry. Mel has made a number of contributions to the Greater Delaware Valley area to promote technological growth in the community. As an alumnus of Drexel University, Mel has made a generous donation to Drexel University for the establishment of The Laurence A. Baiada Center for Entrepreneurship in Technology. Recently, the Greater Philadelphia Venture Group awarded Mel the prestigious “Year 2000 Entrepreneur of the Year” Award. In addition, in 2001 Mel was recognized by the New Jersey Technology Council with its “High Tech Hero Award”, its most prestigious recognition of contribution to the growth of the technology community in New Jersey. Mel’s road to success began when he founded Bluestone, Inc. in 1989 to provide information technology expertise to Fortune 1000 companies. Under his direction, Bluestone rapidly grew to a multi-million dollar company, earning Bluestone inclusion in the Inc. 500 list of the fastest growing privately held companies in the U.S. for three straight years, from 1994 to 1996. One year later, Bluestone split into two separate entities, Bluestone Software, Inc. and Bluestone Consulting, Inc. Bluestone Software accomplished a successful IPO in 1999 and has achieved industry recognition in the Web application server marketplace with its flagship product, Sapphire/Web. In 2001, Hewlett Packard acquired Bluestone Software at a valuation in excess of $450 million. Bluestone Consulting, Inc. is now
Sengen, a private company following Bluestone Software's pattern of rapid growth under Mel's guidance. Sengen is an internet consulting firm that specializes in streamlining business processes through the use of technology. Mel currently serves as its Chairman. In addition, Mel serves as Vice-Chairman of the New Jersey Technology Council and is also a member of the Board of Trustees of Drexel University.
Mel lives with his wife and two children in Moorestown, New Jersey. |
