Alex Lamb pursued one opportunity after another in the burgeoning financial futures markets in Europe starting in the mid-1970s, then later with technology providers to markets around the world that migrated to electronic formats. After he hired Gary Kemp as a programmer to connect GMI and DTB and then develop a front-end screen that turned into Trading Technologies' desktop offering, Kemp returned the favor and hired Lamb at TT.
While Lamb was working at Trading Technologies, a venture capital firm made a significant offer for a small percentage of the firm. Kemp and Lamb had made a presentation to the venture capital firm, which was unaware the futures markets were being “electronified.” Ultimately, Kemp would turn down the offer.
However, Kemp mentioned the offer to Harris Brumfield, who was a customer of TT’s. Lamb said Brumfield, like the venture capital firm, saw the potential of electronic trading software as the markets moved electronically. So Brumfield bought a big chunk of TT equity, which gave the firm the money to expand its employee base and ramp up its presence around the world.