Some sell out, while others think big. Region needs more acquirers, fewer acquirees

December 16, 2007

Last month, EqualLogic Inc., a New Hampshire data storage start-up, was just days away from its initial public offering when Dell, the Texas-based computer maker, floated a formal offer to buy the company.

The price tag was $1.4 billion in cash. It was great news for EqualLogic's employees and its venture capital investors, which included Sigma Partners and Fairhaven Capital Partners in Boston, and Charles River Ventures in Waltham.

Only a Scrooge like me could look at the EqualLogic deal and see the eggnog mug as half-empty. But to me, every sale of a promising New England start-up to an out-of-state entity makes our region feel a bit more like we're running a farm team, rather than playing in the majors.

By Scott Kirsner

Full Story: http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2007/12/16/some_sell_out_while_others_think_big/