It’s been four months since Microsoft’s founder Bill Gates finalized his step-down from Microsoft’s leadership. But three months before that, in March, gates quietly founded a company which back then was known as Carillon Holdings, but was changed to its current name of ‘bgC3’ in July, 10 days after Gates left the company. What the purpose of the company is remains a mystery.

Even its name is cryptic. The ‘bg’ part obviously stands for Bill Gates, but while ‘C3’ is generally thought to mean ‘Company III’ (The other two founded by Gates being Microsoft and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation), rumors by media to make the ‘C’ out to mean ‘Catalyst’, as reportedly hinted at by an inside source.

A catalyst of what, one may ask. The federal trademark for the company that Gates registered, describes bgC3 as a “think-tank” which covers such subjects as “Scientific and technological services,” “Industrial analysis and research,” and “Design and development of computer hardware and software.”

The description hints that it may be a company which supports new technology and ideas, and which gives opportunity to start-up companies to develop. Sounds like a Bill Gates Venture Capital firm, but bear in mind this is all just speculation. What’s also unknown is whether the new company will have any ties with Microsoft, particularly on the financial side. Will it be independently financed by Gates, or will Microsoft chip in return for first dibs on the new techs that the company helps enkindle?

The mysterious “bgC3’ has been getting a lot of media attention lately, and speculation has been romp. Gates won’t be able to get away with keeping it stealthy any longer, so we should see more concrete information soon. We’ll keep you posted.