Just to be clear, Coadec was set up without any help from Google. A group of private individuals - both entrepreneurs and others active in the startup world -- formed and operated Coadec for 18 months with no external support. During that time we engaged in a number of projects on our own, including contributing to Ofcom and IPO consultations, hosting discussion events, participating in panels and writing articles. We did all of this without a penny behind us.
After we had demonstrated ourselves as an organisation and wanted to take on a full-time staffer, we approached companies and organisations whom we felt had similar policy aims to seek sponsorship, and we received contributions from Google, Yahoo and the BCS. While it's always fun to imply that there is something more sinister afoot, I'm afraid there isn't:: they sponsor us because they agree with us on many issues and believe our work has value, and we take sponsorship from them because we agree with them on many issues and do not have our own independent source of cash-flows, simple as that.
I would also like to make clear that the only person connected with Coadec who receives any money whatsoever is our full-time staffer, and she is paid a salary at market rate. Mike Butcher, the rest of the Steering Committee and I all volunteer our time and do not (and will not) receive any money from it.
Jeff Lynn
Chairman, Coadec
Biting the hand that feeds IT
