Is running a startup now any different to running one in 1995? Someone in a position to know is Anton De Wet, founder of Obsidian Systems way back when, just before Windows 95 was released. He’s currently running online development specialist Telamenta. Unlike many small companies from 1995, Obsidian is still going strong. De Wet says there is a good reason for this.

“One thing we took a long time to learn was focus,” he recalls. “And when we did learn it, we started making money. Obsidian focuses on open source infrastructure for enterprises. But back in the day, if it said open source, we would do it: programming, ISP services, hosting, stuff for schools, you name it. If anyone asked for anything we said yes, which was loads of fun and a fabulous learning experience but it only earned us enough to break even most of the time.”