To improve the odds of entrepreneurial success.
To help grow successful technology companies while having fun and contributing to the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.
BaseCamp Ventures has a distinctive culture which derives from the fact that Mel Baiada has a broad, technology company operating background. Mel has started companies, raised capital, hired staff, gone to market with products, and created successful exits for his investors. This experience base is contributed naturally to the management teams of the companies that BaseCamp invests in. This “operating culture” sets BaseCamp apart from other venture funds.
Our team wants to share its operational knowledge and experience in order to help guide your company to the top. We have the background knowledge that will allow us to facilitate and accelerate your company’s growth. The BaseCamp team is unique in that we strive to to create strong business relationships and become a strong strategic partner for all of the companies we fund. Along with providing financial support to accelerate operational efforts, BaseCamp provides valuable assistance in the areas of strategic planning, recruiting, and additional funding efforts.
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Mel BaiadaQuick Profile: Graduate of Drexel University, earning a BSEE in Computers and Control Theory & his Masters in Communications. Prior Experience: |
Baiada’s Background
Baiada is managing partner at BaseCamp Ventures an early stage venture fund; president of Basecamp Business; and a partner of Grapevine Development a smart-growth NJ based real estate development firm. Operating and investing in successful product and service-based companies has given him a broad and seasoned perspective of business.
From the start-up of Bluestone in 1989, through its IPO in 1999, and the eventual sale to Hewlett Packard in 2001 for over $350M, Mel has demonstrated an ability to recognize business opportunities, attract capital and talented employees, and profitability exit an information technology company investment.
Mel has made a number of contributions to the Greater Delaware Valley area to promote technological growth in the community. As an alumnus of Drexel University, Mel has made a generous donation to Drexel University for the establishment of The Laurence A. Baiada Institute for Entrepreneurship in Technology. He is the recipient of the Greater Philadelphia Venture Group “Year 2000 Entrepreneur of the Year” Award. In addition, Mel was recognized in 2001 by the New Jersey Technology Council with its “High Tech Hero Award” and an Ernst & Young, Entrepreneur of the Year finalist.
Mel’s road to success began when he founded Bluestone, Inc. in 1989 to provide information technology expertise to Fortune 1000 companies. Bluestone rapidly grew to a multi-million dollar company, earning Bluestone inclusion in the Inc. 500 list of the fastest growing privately held companies in the U.S. for three straight years, from 1994 to 1996. Bluestone was also a member of the Philadelphia 100 for five consecutive years earning a place in the Philadelphia 100 Hall of Fame. In 1997, Bluestone split into two separate entities, Bluestone Software, Inc. and Bluestone Consulting, Inc. Bluestone Software accomplished a successful IPO in 1999 and has achieved industry recognition in the Web application server marketplace. In 2001, Hewlett Packard acquired Bluestone Software.
In 2000, the IT and Internet services division of Bluestone Consulting, Inc. began “Doing Business As”, Sengen, that specialized in streamlining business processes through the use of technology. Sengen was sold in December of 2003.
Mel serves on the boards of Drexel University, New Jersey Technology Council (former board chair), Bayada Home Health Care and several boards of Basecamp Ventures portfolio companies. Former Boards that Mel has served on have included Moorestown Friends School, Innovation Philadelphia and South Jersey Technology Park at Rowan University.
Mel has two children and lives with his wife in Moorestown, New Jersey.