Scott Switzer: From Dot-Com Dreams to Digital Advertising Dominance

Episode Overview: Scott Switzer's journey from Omaha to global tech innovator began with creating computer games on his TRS-80. Facing challenges during the dot-com boom and bust with Big Emmas, later called Article 27, Scott eventually found success with OpenX, an open-source ad platform that became a major competitor to DoubleClick. His experiences with VCs like FirstMark and Flybridge, investing in startups, and exploring blockchain and crypto, have shaped his career. Now, as the CTO of Ozone, Scott is focused on redefining the digital advertising industry.

Key Takeaways:

• Resilience in Entrepreneurship: Scott's journey highlights the importance of resilience and adaptability in the face of failure and market shifts.
• Innovation in Ad Tech: Through OpenX and now Ozone, Scott showcases how innovation can disrupt established markets and create new opportunities.
• Investing Insights: His experiences with venture capital firms provide valuable lessons on what investors look for in startups and emerging technologies.
• Evolving Digital Advertising: Scott's work with Ozone demonstrates the ongoing evolution of digital advertising and the need for cutting-edge solutions to meet industry demands.

Quotes:

• "Creating computer games on my TRS-80 was just the beginning of a lifelong passion for technology and innovation."
• "The dot-com boom and bust taught me invaluable lessons about resilience and the need to pivot quickly in the face of failure."
•  "OpenX was a game-changer, showing that open-source solutions could compete with industry giants like DoubleClick."
• "Working with FirstMark and Flybridge gave me a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in the startup world and the potential of emerging technologies."
• "With Ozone, we're not just participating in the digital advertising industry; we're redefining it to better serve both publishers and advertisers."