Richard Branson is, by almost all accounts, a venture capitalist. He has made his fortune buying, selling, and creating businesses. It likely wouldn't come as a shock that his estimated worth is roughly $4.2 billion. His brand name, Virgin Group Limited, is a conglomerate of over 400 different companies, utilizing the travel, entertainment, and lifestyle industries. The various companies involve products from soda to airlines, and then some. It's truly awe inspiring to see his brilliance at work, and the passion he has for doing it.
In 1984, Brandon launched Virgin Atlantic Airways, and now offers flight between England, North America, the Caribbean, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. Ironically, their services do not offer domestic flights, but instead are strictly international flights. A quick lookup on a flight from New York to London also shows some pretty amazing airfares, as low as $450.00. For a round-trip fare to London and back, that's certainly not bad. He has been able to capitalize on a need to fly overseas at a reasonable rate.
In 2004, he formed Virgin Galactic, a new space tourism company. He is wanting to capitalize on what is a fledgling industry at this point. However, as luck would have it, there is apparently strong interest. Even at $200,000 per ticket, over 430 individuals have purchased these tickets, wanting to be one of the first to go into space as a typical civilian. Branson has also decided to make Spaceport America home to his vision, building the Virgin Galactic Gateway to Space facility and hanger on site. Branson's dedication to this new venture is apparent, working tirelessly for years on the WhiteKnightTwo and SpaceShipTwo vehicles. SpaceShipTwo is starting to see trial runs now, with a few mishaps, but each mishap being overcome. As well, as of October 27th, 2011, Virgin Galactic has now chosen its first astronaut pilot, former USAF test pilot Keith Colmer. Colmer joins a community dedicated to finding new ways to bring humans into space, and I'm sure he is thrilled.
Richard Branson is the definition of entrepreneur, and apparently has a fondness for the world of aviation. He has a passion and dedication for trying to find better technologies for mankind. It is obvious he has a true love for aviation, and respects what it can do for all of us.
It seems amazing to me that people like Richard Branson exist. I wonder what his first investment in a company was. Where he got the money and how he knew it would work out in the black, rather than the red. Right now, being worth so much money, I don't think he sweats as much during recent deals as compared to his first.
ReplyDeleteWhen I think of Richard Branson the first thing that comes to mind is flying and this fact may hold true for many, however what makes Branson a cut above in my opinion is his efforts in humanitarianism work.
ReplyDeleteWith Branson being worth over four billion dollars he is able to take bold steps into new aviation territory without the worry of financing (I know I would). Attempting to push the envelope by participating in aviation world records as well as ushering in an era of space tourism is truly exciting. Pushing the envelope in aviation is a great way to usher in new technologies in aviation.
ReplyDeleteGreat choice, anyone who is as worth as much as this man or has his available financing, better doing something useful with it. As stated in previous comments, I have no idea what I would do with all that $$ but I like to think I'd find a way to make it benefit as many people as possible, as he is doing. Aviation need people like this, very successful in what they've done, an incredible vision for the future, and the resources to make that vision possible.
ReplyDeleteHe is determinately pushing and aviation industry to the next level. If he can take private sector to the next step, I don't know who can. His wealth does make it possible.
ReplyDeleteI agree with InquisitiveAviator's comment - People like this really exist? Really? A good example of how anything is possible. Nice write up with some good links.
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