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Startup mafia · Lineage

The Skype Mafia

The Skype/Kazaa lineage behind Atomico, iZettle and a wave of European startups.

5 founders 10 companies Root: Skype →
Lineage of SkypeSkypeSkypeJanus FriisJanus FriisKazaaKazaaSkype TechnologiesSkype TechnologiesStarship TechnologiesStarship TechnologiesNiklas ZennströmNiklas ZennströmKazaaKazaaSkype TechnologiesSkype TechnologiesAtomicoAtomicoTaavet HinrikusTaavet HinrikusWiseWiseTransferWiseTransferWiseJaan TallinnJaan TallinnBluemoon InteractiveBluemoon InteractiveMartin VilligMartin VilligBoltBolt
Each node links through — click a founder or company to keep exploring. ↓ CSV ↓ JSON

Every founder in the Skype lineage

5 founders · 10 companies

Founders who worked at or founded Skype and went on to build their own companies.

J Janus Friis 3 founded
Kazaa 2001 Skype Technologies 2003 Starship Technologies 2014
N Niklas Zennström 3 founded
Kazaa 2001 Skype Technologies 2003 Atomico 2006
T Taavet Hinrikus 2 founded
Wise 2011 TransferWise 2011
J Jaan Tallinn 1 founded
Bluemoon Interactive
M Martin Villig 1 founded
Bolt 2013
Explore more lineages on the mafias index, or download the full founder graph →