I spent a delightful hour with Jeff Gunther, founder and CEO of Intalgent and of Meddius . Meddius was the recipient of the 2008 Charlottesville Innovation Rocket Award, given to an enterprise that has moved a product from idea to commercialization in record breaking speed. Jeff received his undergraduate degree from the University of Illinois. He and his family settled in Charlottesville because of the overall quality of life for raising a family and to be near UVA.
Founded in 2000, Intalgent is an innovative technology organization specializing in software and system development and management services. The company focuses on the practical application of new and emerging technologies to develop custom solutions for its customers.
Jeff launched Meddius as the result of carefully listening to and understanding the need of a potential customer. He turned that understanding into an opportunity which led to the development of an innovative solution. Meddius launched in 2006 with the mission to improve patient care by helping organizations make healthcare data universally accessible. That mission is fulfilled by building best-in-class integration solutions that enable the industry to accelerate and simplify the exchange of healthcare data among applications. In February , 2008, Meddius launched the Integration Router™ , which can process over 5.5 million HL7 messages per hour.
Gunther attributes Meddius’ success to its commitment to simplifying the management and exchange of electronic healthcare data through industry leading integration technology.
As we were ending up our discussion, I asked Jeff a few last questions. What was the biggest surprise in launching his business: "I underestimated just how difficult it would be to find first rate talent and team players." Would you do it again? If so, what would you do differently: "I don't know that I would have started the service company first. Service companies are easy and quick to start but then plateau. Product companies are harder to start but are scalable." Did you start with a business plan: "No, but we do have a current strategic plan." What keeps you up at night: "Clearly staffing. Finding the right people is critical." What is the best thing about being an entrepreneur: "The ability to take one's own idea and watch it develop and grow it into a sustainable enterprise."
Again, congratulations on winning the Rocket Award and for keeping the entrepreneurial spirit alive!
Our next Entrepreneur's Spotlight on August 14 will focus on the Charlottesville nonprofit community, in an interview with Wendy Brown, founder of The Center for Nonprofit Excellence.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
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