Entrepreneur to throw light on internet business success

Ajaz Ahmed, founder of Freeserve, will talk about his career at an event in the Allam Lecture Theatre at the University of Hull Business School, organised by local business group For Entrepreneurs Only.

The idea for Freeserve came to Ajaz after he struggled to find an internet service provider who could help him get online.

“Nobody could tell me how to get on the internet,” said Ajaz, who eventually managed to get online using a CD from a PC magazine cover.

Once connected, he started to understand the huge potential of the web and had what he describes as his “famous eureka moment”.

He was a Dixon’s store manager at the time. “If I was having trouble getting online, then so were our customers” he said.

Ajaz’s boss at the time told him to stop concerning himself with the internet and do his job – selling computers.

In typical entrepreneurial style Ajaz ignored his boss’ orders and began to work on the problem.

Freeserve launched on September 22 1998 and the rest is history. “We became the largest ISP in the country in three months,” said Ajaz. “It grew and grew from there.

“We floated nine months later – at our peak we were worth £9bn.”

The free talk on October 20, from 5pm to 7pm, is open to all, with places available on a first come, first served basis.

To book a place email Marian Muzaffar at [email protected]