create business network with vBulletin?

[Johanb]

Hi all ...
In order to expand our current project, we are looking to add a business network to our current activities.
This would be something similar to ecademy.com, ryze.com, ... .
The target public is the healthcare sector.

Since we don't have the budget to get some custom programming to get this done, we are thinking off purchasing another vbulletin license and use vbulletin to set this up.
But: is vBulletin the correct tool to get this job done? In addition with some hacks? How would we use vBulletin to get this done?
The general idea is to offer some basic functionality for free, but when people want more, the would have to subscribe and pay for these additional features.

What functionality would be required:
- the general forum functions so people can talk, share ideas, ... .
- a basic profile page for the free subscribers, and advanced profile page for payed subscribers (where they can add theyre own business succes stories, 50 keywords etc.)
- a friends list (this would be 'connected people')
- an advanced way to browse the memberslist (by name, occupation, location, ...)
- a vBulletin skin with a "non-forum" feeling
- ...

What would you recommend to get this job done? Any tips and tricks are very welcome!
How would you use vBulletin to create and maintain a business network? What features would you add?
Let's hear your opinions!

thanks in advance,
Greetings,
Johan.