Outsider Inc. The Outsider Who Sparked New York’s Tech Ecosystem and Backed Multiple Billion Dollar Outcomes w/ Kevin O’Connor, Co-Founder of DoubleClick, fmr CEO of Graphiq, and Founder & GP at ScOp Venture Capital
In this episode of Outsider, Inc., host Ian Hathaway interviews Kevin O'Connor, co-founder of DoubleClick, former CEO of Graphiq, and Founder and General Partner at ScOp Venture Capital. Kevin shares insights from his remarkable career, starting from his early curiosity in electronics to forego a career as a research scientist and instead spearhead the commercial internet. He discusses the meteoric rise of DoubleClick, the birth of Silicon Alley, and his transition into startup investing and mentoring. Kevin also delves into his experience with Graphiq, his views on entrepreneurial resilience, and his current focus on helping early-stage software companies scale. His journey highlights the importance of identifying early opportunities, cultivating non-traditional talent, and navigating the evolving tech landscape beyond traditional hubs
Show Notes:
(02:55) Kevin's Early Life and First Venture
(06:12) The Birth of DoubleClick
(08:29) Navigating the Dot-Com Boom
(11:20) Challenges and Growth in New York
(18:09) The Dot-Com Bubble Burst
(23:02) The Legacy of DoubleClick in New York's Tech Scene
(24:01) Moving to Santa Barbara: A New Chapter
(27:05) The Birth of Graphiq and the Knowledge Graph
(29:42) Selling to Amazon and Lessons Learned
(31:04) Investing in Non-Consensus Founders
(39:56) Beyond the Bio with Kevin O’Connor
✅ Host: Ian Hathway - Co-Founder & Managing Partner, FOVC
✅ Guest: Kevin O’Connor - Co-Founder of DoubleClick, fmr CEO of Graphiq, and Founder & General Partner at ScOp Venture Capital
Produced by Spellbinder Media. Executive Produced by Bridge Five Ventures. Copyright ©️2025, Bridge Five Ventures, LLC, All rights reserved.
Listen & subscribe wherever you get your podcasts or at outsiderinc.substack.com.