[May 25] Knexa, the global
knowledge exchange owned by Canadian-based Demand Ventures Ltd,
has formed Knexa Europe with
initial Web sites in Denmark and the U.K.
Knexa Europe is 40 per cent owned by Demand Ventures and
60 per cent by Danish firm Futurizer A/S. It launches
with the active participation of Psion User Group, O2 Solutions,
V-Risk International, and IC Universe.
Knexa claims to have identified what it calls “a significant need
for time-sensitive, accessible, managed, organized, relevant
knowledge that enhances working capabilities and competencies.”
It matches supply and demand for knowledge, as if it were
any other commodity.
Bjorn Wolrath, chairman of Knexa Europe A/S and a former
chief executive of global insurance company Skandia AB,
said the opening of Knexa in Europe was the beginning of
a powerful new form of e-commerce in the region.
“In particular, Knowledge Agents will provide knowledge buyers
with a powerful frame of reference to judge the credibility of
knowledge assets for sale on Knexa. Agents provide accountability
for knowledge seekers, a factor too often absent on the Internet,”
said Wolrath.
The function of Knexa Knowledge Agents is to collect, rate,
review, package and post knowledge assets to the exchange. Knexa
builds a base of business and professional expertise on which
potential buyers can draw to fufill last-minute needs.
Knexa Europe will operate on a “pay-as-you-go, need-to-know” basis.
Its Knowledge Agent service will provide its communities with
an e-marketplace where they can trade their knowledge assets.
Some of the key content for Knexa Europe will come from
O2 Solutions which specializes in management development and
human resources.
“These relationships include the London School of Economics,
The Cranfield School of Management, the Wall Street Journal
Interactive Media, The Henley Centre, and a large number of
management speakers including Debra Amidon of Entovation,
Hubert Saint-Onge of The Mutual Group, Charles Savage of
Knowledge Era Enterprises,” explained O2 Solutions’ Chairman
Ian Oliphant-Thompson.
Demand Ventures, which is led by President David Brett, plans
further overseas expansion for Knexa, with a launch scheduled
for Knexa Australia in the coming months.