8ninths

8ninths is an R&D Lab and start-up Incubator founded in 2008 by two longtime Microsoft web veterans. The company takes its name from the concept that 8/9 of an iceberg is hidden below the surface; the entrepreneurs look for new, emerging, hidden, and 'non-obvious' investments. The two founders have been conceiving, building and leading product development on some of the largest and most revolutionary products Microsoft has ever produced since 1995. Until September 2008, Co-Founder Adam Sheppard, worked in Microsoft CTO, Ray Ozzies' team as Director of Strategic Business Development for Microsoft Live Labs building external partnerships and driving revenue through licensing programs. Co-Founder William Lai was a pioneer in the development of instant messaging, having led the development team that was nominated as 'Legendary Development Team of Microsoft' and releasing MSN Messenger. He grew the service to become a cornerstone of the Microsoft web offerings.