Men on the Scene: James Goethe

James (Jimi) Goethe’s approach to life may be framed in a quote from his very famous ancestor, literary giant Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who said, “Daring ideas are like chessmen moved forward. They may be beaten, but they may start a winning game.” That creative spirit has led Goethe to start several primarily tech companies over the past 20-plus years. Those have included GPS tracking systems, cybersecurity, an online radio station, and the first online marketing company in the area.

Goethe started coding when he was nine years old and later attended Eckerd College with focus in business management and information systems. He worked in corporate technology, including IT director for a Fortune 500 franchise company. He now heads Sarasota-based Hypercube Technologies, which takes a unique approach to business IT services. Hourly and retainers just cause techs to work slower, so instead, his team delivers unlimited service for a flat monthly fee with no contract. The company also specializes in Internet marketing and SEO for local and international companies.

In addition to often offering services for free to non-profits, which has landed him a spot on CNN, he has plans to launch a new software program to support the tech needs of very small businesses. A third generation Sarasotan, Goethe is a member of Mensa and the International High IQ Society. His interests range from astronomy, physics, electronics and chess to cooking and mostly being a father. He loves programming and speaks several languages as well as plays the guitar and piano. “It’s essential to have ambition in your life,” Goethe says. “I love what I do. My business is my hobby.”