Liemandt, the founder and president, is the force behind Trilogy's culture. Barely 30 years old, he started the company with four other classmates while he was still attending Stanford in 1989. He dropped out right before graduation to focus on Trilogy.

However, with only two quarters of credit left to finish at Stanford, there's always the chance of returning.

"My mom wants to know when I am going back and graduating," he says.

Though he is worth $650 million, he drives a Saturn and lives in an apartment close to the firm. Dressing up for work means wearing jeans and a polo shirt.

Verosub juxtaposes him to President Neil L. Rudenstine.

"Totally imagine if Rudy went to the Green house and had a Chick-Fil-A and sat down and talked with students at a table," he says. "Everything he has worked for, he's betting on the college kids. It says a lot about Joe and Trilogy."

The Next Chapter of Trilogy

Liemandt says Trilogy's success is the result of changing perceptions of technology companies.

"[Students] are starting to see high-tech as a career even if you're not a techie," he says.

And he intends to keep relying on recent college graduates to make the company run, contrary to conventional wisdom.

"You're just wacko, you can't do that," he hears from his colleagues.

But in his mind, the growth of the company depends on bringing in new blood, and he sees no reason to change what's working.

"Why would you stop just because you're bigger?" he asks.

As for the future--besides going public--Liemandt says he wants to create a Trilogy legacy.

"We want Trilogy to be the place where the next great leaders of tech come and learn," he says.

"We're Microsoft, 1984."