For-Profit Web Venture Shifts Gears, Hoping to Find a Way to Make a Profit

Fathom, with backing from major universities, changes strategy on marketing and content

By SCOTT CARLSON

Columbia University's for-profit online venture, Fathom, is having difficulty attracting both customers and outside investors, forcing the university to spend $10-million to keep the project afloat.

The difficulties were discussed in a...