November 8, 1999

FutureWeb:
Innovative Startups
Young, innovative companies are poised to become the next Internet success stories

By Clinton Wilder, Jennifer Mateyaschuk, Beth Bacheldor, and Ramin P. Jaleshgari

Related links from our sister publications:

Network Computing The Best Bets for Web Development InternetWeek Web Development TechWeb How To Hire A Good Web Developer

he story of the Web is the story of change. Many companies that didn't exist three years ago are among today's leaders in Internet commerce, technology, and influence. Although there are plenty of barriers to entry, and many more barriers to success, hundreds of new Web companies start up every month in the hopes of becoming the next Netscape, Amazon.com, or Yahoo. The history of business and technology has never seen anything quite like it.

So which among today's emerging companies have the best chance to make their mark on the Web economy in the next two to three years? Thousands of venture capitalists and other investors spend hours on that question, and we can't pretend to know the answer. But we do believe that the eight companies profiled in the following pages have a good chance to evolve from names you may not know today to companies you'll be doing business with in the next few years.

Their innovative ideas are as diverse as the Web itself. Their business models include localizing Web content, selling excess telecom capacity, offering an online marketplace for IT services, and delivering videos and frozen pizzas. But they all share a common vision: that the Web offers a better and more efficient way to bring buyers and sellers together.

Just about every industry has begun to see the inevitable reality that major changes are taking place in the way business is done. As the new century begins, these eight companies will be among the ones that will make it happen.

Innovative Startups
Illustration by Stuart Briers	Kozmo.com tries to establish the next generation of E-commerce: Web convenience combined with fast delivery
	Arbinet sells the ultimate Web products: time and space
	CarsDirect.com aims to revolutionize the car-selling industrywhile saving buyers time and money
	ITsquare.com helps match companies and consulting firms for software development work
	Accompany aims to bring buyers together online for volume discounts
	E-Scan combines grocery-buying data with Web-use statistics and trends
	Kinzan.com lets companies inject local flavor into Web sites while eeping central control
	Billserv.com targets midsize companies seeking to outsource their online-billing operations
	Follow-up profiles: InfoSpace, USWeb/CKS, PCOrder.com, RealNetworks, Marimba

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