Kipling on the future of Autonomy

There's a line in Rudyard Kipling's poem 'If" I always found inspiring:

"Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;"

Born some 150 years ago in South Africa, Englishman Rudyard Kipling seems to have little to offer for Autonomy founder, former HP employee, and newly minted venture capitalist Mike Lynch. On the other hand, I think I may see an investment opportunity he may like.

Do you suppose he would invest in a company that grew to be a leader in its field, but which languished after acquisition by a giant firm seemingly past its prime? Would he seek to acquire such a company, perhaps at a significant discount to the price paid to acquire it just a few years ago - and make that company back into the respected - and feared - leader it once was? Let's say selling a company for $11B in 2011 and buying it back for $3B in 2013? 

I can't say; I'm just a small business owner with little experience in VC. On the other hand, think what a coup it would be for Autonomy to rise from the ashes, and confirm the genius of its founder.

Stay tuned.

 

Comments

[Lance Norskog]

Or, maybe not :)

[Ken Stoltz]

Hmmm, did you happen to see this interview with HP's George Kadifa?

http://allthingsd.com/20120925/eight-questions-for-hewlett-packard-software-head-george-kadifa/

I suppose anything is possible, but there were a few eye-opening comments that would cast doubt on that scenario, IMO.