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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 7, 2007
Contact: K.E. Schwab -- 724-738-2199
karl.schwab@sru.edu
‘Success Starts Here’ series features Internet business
leader
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Raul Valdes-Perez, chief executive
officer at Vivisimo Inc., one of the Pittsburgh Business Times’
“Pittsburgh 100” companies, will explain how he saw a technology
problem, found a solution and is growing his Pittsburgh-based
high-tech business when he lectures at Slippery Rock University
Feb. 15.
The
lecture, part of SRU’s School of Business continuing “Success
Starts Here” series, is at 12:30 p.m. in the Advanced Technology
and Science Hall. The series is designed to show students and the
regional community opportunities and benefits of building a
business in Pennsylvania, particularly western Pennsylvania.
Valdes-Perez is credited with his company’s success in building a
better Internet search engine. The so-called “Clusty” search system
clusters search results into groups rather than into an unorganized
list. “It’s an organized and efficient way to browse,” Valdes-Perez
said.
The
computer whiz began his concept as a research project while
attending Carnegie Mellon University. He joined co-founders Jerome
Pesenti and Chris Palmer, both CMU faculty members, in the
invention. “We saw the opportunity to transform the way people deal
with information on the Web,” Valdes-Perez said.
The
company, started in 2000, has grown from its three founders to now
employ 40 workers in downtown Pittsburgh. The company also offers
customized search engines to some 130 companies. Valdes-Perez said
the firm is doubling and tripling its revenues each year.
“Our hope
is the lectures will pass information on about how others have
succeeded locally,” said Bruce Russell, dean of SRU’s College of
Business, Information and Social Sciences. “By seeing models of
others’ success, our students, SRU alumni and those from other
regional colleges, as well as interested entrepreneurs in the
community will make use of the information – applying it to ideas
they may have for opening or operating a successful business in the
region – including Slippery Rock and Butler County.”
“By making use of the success of local companies, we will show
participants the road to success – including the potholes,” Russell
said.
SRU’s School of Business is using the BusinessTimes’ “Top 100
Growth Firms” success story program as the basis of its ongoing
lecture series.
Companies selected by the newspaper represent a diverse group.
The BusinessTimes reports the combined revenues of this year’s
Pittsburgh 100 is almost $3 billion with an employee count near
12,000.
Slippery Rock University is Pennsylvania’s premier
public residential university. Slippery Rock University provides
students with a comprehensive learning experience that
intentionally combines academic instruction with enhanced
educational and learning opportunities that make a positive
difference in their lives.
PN, PGN, WPN, PR
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