How I Built This with Guy Raz Skype and Kazaa: Niklas Zennström
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Mar 17, 2025 
Niklas Zennström, a Swedish entrepreneur known for co-founding Kazaa and Skype, shares his journey in pioneering peer-to-peer technology. He recounts the challenges of launching Kazaa amidst legal battles with the music industry. Zennström discusses the innovative pivot to Skype, which transformed telecommunications by enabling free global calls. He reflects on the entrepreneurial landscape of the early 2000s, navigating funding hurdles and competition from major tech players, ultimately leading to Skype's acquisition by Microsoft.
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Childhood Summers
- Niklas Zennström's family spent summers sailing in the Baltic Sea.
- This fostered his early interest in boats and naval architecture.
Sweden's Tech Boom
- The Swedish government's tax deduction on home computers spurred the internet boom.
- This initiative subsidized home PCs and dial-up internet, benefiting future entrepreneurs.
Meeting Janus
- Niklas hired Janus Friis, a 21-year-old, to run customer support at Tele2.
- He quickly recognized Janus's brilliance and unconventional corporate style.