Cass alumni company floats on LSE

Imaginatik duo further success of innovation and idea management

Friday, 22 December, 2006

Imaginatik, the brainchild of two alumni from Cass Business School and one of the world’s leading companies on innovation management, made its initial public offering (IPO) last week.
 
Imaginatik was one of the first knowledge management companies to start up twelve years ago, and it was founded by two doctoral researchers: Cass alumnus Mark Turrell (London) and Dr Yvonne Lindow in Switzerland.  The focus has always been on knowledge and innovation management, and in particular, how collaborative technologies can support organisations.  

Mark Turrell, CEO, Imaginatik, completed a BSc Business Studies, and Boris Pluskowski, chief marketing officer, graduated with an MBA.  Martha Jacob, who also graduated with an MBA is now chief development officer. 

Mark Turrell comments: “We decided to list Imaginatik on the London Stock Exchange because we want the company to grow, and faster.  The major benefits of an IPO are greater visibility and the ability to attract and retain high-quality staff.  This is also a significant milestone in a company’s life and as an entrepreneur, I didn’t want to wake up one morning and realise that I was owned by other capitalists.  Although it’s not going to be easy, I think that the London Stock Exchange is a challenge worth going for.”

Imaginatik has since moved into idea management, and it is estimated to have a 75% share of the market and has offices in the UK, the US and throughout Europe.  Idea Central, Imaginatik’s market-leading innovation management system is used by 1 in 5 Fortune 100 companies, and other products have also been named ‘Trend Setting Product of the Year’ by KM World in 2005 and 2006.