During his sophomore year at Cornell University as a full-time student in Applied Economics and Management, Dan Cane ’98 co-founded CourseInfo, LLC, that later evolved into Blackboard, Inc., a global educational Technology solution. The idea to digitize his professor’s class materials sparked the creation of the Business, turning his housemates into colleagues and leading to a successful entrepreneurial career. In 2011, Blackboard, Inc. was sold for $1.6 billion.
Currently serving as the CEO of Modernizing Medicine, a medical technology company he co-founded in 2010, Cane is dedicated to improving the healthcare system while guiding aspiring entrepreneurs. He established the Cane Entrepreneurship Scholars program at the Dyson School, providing financial support, mentorship, and experiential learning opportunities for future entrepreneurs at Cornell.
Cane’s entrepreneurial journey began early in life with a lemonade stand, and his passion for technology and purpose led him to found CourseInfo while at Cornell, shaping his path towards entrepreneurship. With ModMed, Cane aims to enhance patient experiences and streamline clinical workflows using cloud, data, and AI technologies, addressing challenges within the healthcare industry.
Reflecting on his time at Cornell, Cane credits the university, its students, classes, and professors for shaping his approach to business. The support and opportunities he received during his time at Cornell greatly influenced his entrepreneurship journey.
One of the pivotal risks Cane took was starting Blackboard with his best friends and housemates, who believed in the startup and turned down job offers to join him. This decision changed his path as an entrepreneur and highlighted the importance of surrounding oneself with the right people.
Cane’s proudest moment as an entrepreneur was taking Blackboard public on the Nasdaq in 2004, marking a significant milestone after years of hard work and dedication. His advice to those starting out is to choose who they surround themselves with carefully, emphasizing the impact of selecting the right friends, partners, and team members.
In conclusion, Cane’s entrepreneurial journey from founding Blackboard at Cornell to leading Modernizing Medicine showcases the impact of education, mentorship, and perseverance in the world of business. Cornell’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs through research, technology, and business education continues to create opportunities for budding entrepreneurs to succeed and make a difference in their communities.
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