A visionary and entrepreneur, Rousso was one of the first people in history to truly grasp the power of the Internet. In the mid-1980’s, when the Internet was virtually an unknown entity, Rousso started what is widely regarded as the first e-commerce company: The International Stamp Exchange. The foresight of this project is truly remarkable, paving the way for online marketplaces, and showing the World how the power of technology and the Internet can change the way people conduct commerce and access information.

Rousso’s 25-year entrepreneurial career has spawned over thirty companies. In early 2000 Rousso launched X3D Technologies Corporation, the Worldwide leader in 3D technology. Rousso’s numerous inventions and “out of the box” thinking is responsible for over 1000 patents worldwide.

Rousso is very active in International Chess having sponsored several World Championship Matches; and is close with World Champions Kasparov and Karpov. Rousso is widely credited for his ongoing efforts in promoting Chess throughout the World, and has generously donated his time and money to develop Chess programs for children. Experts widely agree that Chess aids in the development of cognitive thought processes in children’s education.

Rousso is also very active in many charitable causes, especially in New York City. Mayor Bloomberg personally has cited Armand Rousso for his numerous charitable efforts benefiting the children and underprivileged of the City.

Armand Rousso’s success is defined by his driven intelligence, and his compassion and kindness for his family, friends, and colleagues.

When you think of big names in eCommerce, companies like Amazone.com and eBay automatically come to mind. But if you rewind the clock several years-1986 to be precise-you’ll discover what has been recognized as the first eCommerce company. It was a stamp exchange started by a gentleman named Mr. Armand Rousso. In 1986, no one had yet predicted the full power that the Internet would become, yet most media knew that something big was on the horizon. So when the International Stamp Exchange opened its doors, for people who had telex terminals…

Or the right kind of personal computer, the media was all over the story as it rippled through hundreds of newspapers and magazines. Mr. Rousso tells Webmaster Techniques Magazine that when he opened the online eCommerce company, many people told him that the medium wouldn’t work. Now he wishes he had patented the processes used by the International Stamp Exchange. The publicity Rousso received from the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and other top newspapers and magazines drew attention to the new medium and revived interest in stamp collecting. Here’s how the Wall Street Journal, in a 1986 article, described the process: “The new office houses a computer containing information on stamps for sale-about one million at the moment. Traders can gain access to the exchange, and make trades, through their own personal computers. Or they can trade through brokers at the exchange or through any of the 150 dealers who are exchange members.” On January 14, 1986, The Miami News covered the new process, stating, “the big difference with the stamp exchange, Rousso explains, is that anyone will be able to do his own buying or selling, using a personal computer.” The process, of course, is now a part of everyday life for tens of millions of people who log onto computers and buy stuff from Amazon.com or trade items on eBay. Mr. Rousso knew that the process of buying and selling via computers connected to others worldwide would be huge and while he doesn’t hold a patent on the process he’s happy to know that The International Stamp Exchange was the pioneer in bringing in a new era.

For the match Kasparov vs Deep Junior Rousso expected a gigantic audience: over a million people watching live online, he told me. Could we provide the facilities for the Internet coverage? Indeed we could, ChessBase had developed a cascading Flash technology for the match Kramnik vs Deep Fritz in Bahrain the year before.

Three weeks later I was in New York to set up live Internet broadcast for giant international news portals which Rousso had won as partners: AOL, Wired, Der Spiegel, T-Online, Le Figaro, Chathurangam, etc. A number of million people tuned in, hundreds of articles were published, and ESPN even transmitted part of the final game live to their audience.

During this event I met Armand Rousso, a hefty French-born entrepreneur, mid fifty, brimming with energy and enthusiasm. During his 25-year career he has created over thirty companies and filed over 100 patents worldwide.
Most impressively Armand was one of the first people to truly grasp the power of the Internet, as I found out in our extended dinner conversations. That was back in the mid 1980’s, when the Internet was still referred to as a “bulletin board” and mainly used by university techies and the US military.

There is a lot about presentation in chess.  Why, for instance, did the newspapers print so many articles on Kasparov vs X3D Fritz? Certainly the name was important: if Kasparov plays a fox terrier in New York, that is going to make the news. Of course the battle of man vs his nemesis, the machine, fires the imagination of many. But 46,000 articles?

The trick was of course the glasses, which Armand had talked Garry into accepting. You can imagine the conversation that took place in thousands of newspaper offices all over the world. Editor, looking at a picture: “Why is he wearing dark glasses?” Staff writer: “They are 3D glasses, and he’s playing in a virtual reality environment.” Editor: “No chess board?” Staff writer: “No, just a 3D image which is floating in front of the screen.” Editor: “A hologram! Cool! Do we have copy?” Staff writer: “Plenty, they sent stories, analysis,…” Editor: “Pictures?” Staff writer: “Lots and lots. By the way even ESPN…” Editor: “Great, we put it in full size on page six, with a teaser on page one. Tell me how it ends. Hope the Kasparov guy wins. That would be so cool.”

Armand’s scrapbook
There is a lot more to tell about Armand Rousso – and it will be all told in time. For instance that he is a very proficient contact magician. Which is why colleague David Blaine is likely to turn up during his events.

Armand is also generous to a fault. He is constantly supporting worthy and unworthy causes, donating large sums to charities, sometimes to the chagrin of his company. I have seen him impulsively shell out $2,000 in cash (without any receipt) to a woman grandmaster when he learnt that she did not have a proper computer.