Zip2

In 1995, Musk and his brother, Kimbal, started Zip2, a web software company, with money raised from a small group of angel investors, an individual who provides capital for a business start-up in exchange convertible debt or ownership equity. With the vector graphics mapping and direction coded by Musk in Java, the company aimed to develop and market an Internet city guide for the newspaper publishing industry, with maps, directions, and yellow pages. Musk obtained contracts with The New York Times and the Chicago Tribune and persuaded the board of directors to abandon plans for a merger with CitySearch. Musk's attempts to become CEO were thwarted by the board.