RGF Estates Corporation owns 450 sims - and growing

by Alessandra Narayan

In this interview, Rich Grainger, CEO of RGF Estates Corporation, says he runs a growing company in the virtual land business, and claims his company is growing at the rate of one new sim per day. An entrepreneur with hopes of becoming a mega-land baron, Mr. Grainger  is willing to reach the top and fight head to head with the big sharks in SL's estates, but doesn't plan on issuing an IPO because «RGF doesn't need one».

Ultimately, Rich Grainger confesses his dream: «Coat the world in a warm blanket of software.» Also, RGF's CEO explains how his differences with the RGF's prior CEO, Frank Essel, led to a change in command of the corporation.

Alessandra Narayan (AN) - Is it true you said "I'll make money out of any soul I meet in SL"?
Rich Grainger (RG) - I said I'd sell the souls of all I've ever meet to make money, RL or SL.

AN - What's that suppose to mean? That no one can trust you?
RG - I have many who do, more than most. I believe 99% of people like me on my sims. Ask around...

AN - Still, shouldn't there be higher principles or goals rather than money?
RG - Yes, of course, my purpose in life is to coat the world in a warm blanket of software, improve communication, thus increase yield. Example: in Vietnam 1 acre produces 3 bushels of products and in Japan 21. Difference equal to info, crop reports, the more communication, the faster we feed the people, shoe the children.

AN - How many sims do you own now?
RG - 450 approximately.

AN - And you intend to rise that number? And when will it stop?
RG - One per day and I'll stop when demand stops.

AN - When will you launch an IPO?
RG - No need. Cash positive at the moment. Besides, I have no idea why someone would give away part of a business if capital not needed. So, I don't intend to launch an IPO and if I did, it would be for something big. Also, I don't want to be the only large real estate in SL. I think competition will grow all of SL faster and I think SL needs a human anatomy.

AN - Are you thinking of buying smaller corporations?
RG - Yes, but not hostile. Must be unanimous. All agree or no deal.

AN - And did you receive any investment proposal to join you in RGF?
RG - A few from RL and I didn't reject them, I just don't have a prospectus or capital need.