NeXT, Inc. (later NeXT Computer, Inc. and NeXT Software, Inc.) was an American computer and software company founded in 1985 by Apple Computer co-founder Steve Jobs. Its name was usually pronounced as “Next”. Based in Redwood City, California, the company developed and manufactured a series of computer workstations intended for the higher education and business markets. NeXT was founded by Jobs after he was fired from Apple, along with several co-workers. NeXT introduced the first NeXT Computer in 1988, and the smaller NeXTstation in 1990. The NeXT computers experienced relatively limited sales, with estimates of about 50,000 units shipped in total. Nevertheless, their innovative object-oriented NeXTSTEP operating system and development environment (Interface Builder) were highly influential.
The first major outside investment was from Ross Perot, who invested after seeing a segment about NeXT on The Entrepreneurs. In 1987, he invested $20 million in exchange for 16 percent of NeXT’s stock and subsequently joined the board of directors in 1988.
Related
H. Ross Perot, founder of the Electronic Data Systems Corporation, is investing $20 million for a 16 percent stake and a director’s position in Next Inc., according to an article in the Feb. 9 issue of Business Week. Steve Jobs, a co-founder of Apple Computer Inc., formed Next in 1985 to produce a powerful computer work station for educational use. – NYTIMES, 1987.
Apple acquires Next, Jobs. In a stunning move, Apple will purchase Next Software and bring former CEO Steve Jobs back to the company he cofounded – CNET, 1996.
I Blew It, Perot Says — He Didn’t Buy Up Microsoft When He Had A Chance In ’79 – SEATTLE TIMES, 1992.
The fascinating bromance between Steve Jobs and Ross Perot – CAKE.CO
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