Jason Kirby. From Exit to Ease: Letting Go of the Stress
Sep 6, 2024
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Jason Kirby, a tech entrepreneur who scaled Generation Esports and founded Thunder, shares his transformative journey from high-stress startups to a fulfilling life. He reflects on the challenges faced during the sale of Liquid Sky to Walmart and the emotional turmoil that followed. Jason emphasizes the importance of curiosity and adaptability in business, and how those traits helped him pivot towards a meaningful venture. He also discusses balancing family life with professional aspirations, highlighting the need for personal fulfillment over mere business success.
Jason Kirby's journey from high-stress startups to founding Thunder illustrates a transformative shift towards personal fulfillment and work-life balance.
The unpredictable nature of corporate structures, demonstrated by Walmart's shifting priorities post-acquisition, highlights the challenges in maintaining strategic alignment.
Jason's proactive approach in transforming Generation Esports showcases the significance of innovation and adaptation in evolving market conditions.
Deep dives
The Journey of Liquid Sky
The story of Liquid Sky began when Jason Kirby, after selling his businesses in San Diego, sought a new venture in New York. Collaborating with co-founder Ian, they developed cloud gaming technology aimed at providing global access to high-performance computing without the hefty price tag. Their mission was to make gaming more accessible to individuals who could not afford expensive equipment. Despite starting with limited resources from Ian's family home, they successfully raised capital and deployed data centers worldwide, emphasizing their innovative approach to entertainment technology.
The Stress of Acquisition Attempts
The rapid growth of Liquid Sky led to an acquisition offer from Samsung, which initially seemed promising but eventually fell through due to an unexpected corporate regime change. After investing significant time and resources into preparing for the deal, Jason and his partner faced the crisis of securing funding for their startup, leading to stressful layoffs and emergency fundraising efforts. Eventually, Walmart expressed interest in acquiring the company, which Jason skillfully navigated while pivoting their business model. This adaptability helped secure an exit that, while less than initially hoped, provided stability amidst the turmoil.
Transitioning and Scaling
After the acquisition, Jason worked with Walmart to establish their gaming division but faced challenges as corporate priorities shifted away from gaming in favor of other initiatives. The experience underscored the unpredictable nature of corporate environments and the importance of strategic alignment. As the team transitioned through escalating internal changes, Jason observed notable leadership turnover, which impacted morale and productivity. Ultimately, these experiences compelled him to seek opportunities that aligned more closely with his ambitions for personal fulfillment and professional growth.
Creating Generation Esports
Post-Walmart, Jason discovered Generation Esports, and quickly involved himself to leverage his expertise in scaling companies. He transformed what was a small venture into a thriving business model that integrated esports into schools, rapidly increasing their annual revenue. His proactive engagement and innovative drive helped reposition the company, emphasizing the importance of esports as a legitimate extracurricular outlet. However, as COVID disrupted traditional schooling, Jason navigated challenges that tested the company's resilience and redefined educational entertainment.
Founding Thunder and Prioritizing Balance
Jason founded Thunder following his reflections on past corporate experiences, intending to create a tech-enabled investment bank focused on providing resources for startups. He emphasized the significance of aligning his venture pursuits with personal values, such as family and work-life balance. By offering a supportive network for entrepreneurs seeking funding, he aimed to demystify the complexities of raising capital. This approach not only met current market needs but also allowed Jason to prioritize his family's significance in his new entrepreneurial journey.
Jason Kirby. He Sold Liquid Sky software to Walmart six years ago, but became disillusioned when Walmart abruptly scrapped the company's ambitious plans.
Seeking a new direction, Jason joined Generation Esports, rapidly scaled it and exited three years ago. This last exit prompted Jason to reassess his priorities, leading him to focus on family, health and meaningful work.
This shift inspired him to found Thunder, a tech enabled investment bank and launch the fundraising demystified podcast. In this interview, Jason shares his journey from high stress startups to a life centered on fulfillment and purpose.
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TIME STAMPS:
00:00:00: Overview of Jason’s Expertise
00:01:27: Starting Liquid Sky
00:01:56: Formation and Operational Beginnings of Liquid Sky
00:02:24: The Vision and Mission of Liquid Sky
00:03:11: Partnership and Expansion Efforts
00:03:37: Business Philosophy and Personal Contribution
00:05:15: Diverse Industry Experience
00:06:50: Curious Nature and Learning Process
00:06:53: Liquid Sky’s Rapid Growth and Sale to Samsung
00:08:05: The Failed Acquisition by Samsung
00:10:17: Crisis and Pivot Strategy
00:11:01: Final Attempts for Acquisition and Survival
00:13:28: New Strategy with Walmart
00:15:39: Outcome and Life Post-Acquisition by Walmart
00:19:42: Excitement about Walmart Gaming
00:20:25: Transition to San Diego and New Opportunity
00:20:50: Introduction to Generation Esports
00:21:48: Investing Energy into Generation Esports
00:24:05: Initial Reflection and Momentum
00:25:42: Navigating the COVID-19 Challenges
00:26:28: Series A Funding and Rising Tensions
00:29:06: Decision to Leave Generation Esports
00:31:00: Self-discovery and New Relationships
00:35:19: Learning from Relationship Dynamics
00:36:00: Considering the Next Move
00:36:10: The Idea of Starting Thunder
00:36:42: The seed for Thunder
00:37:18: What Thunder does
00:39:02: Thunder as a tech-enabled investment bank
00:40:21: Introduction to the podcast "Fundraising Demystified"
00:42:00: Origin of "Fundraising Demystified"
00:44:04: The value of understanding venture capital
00:45:11: Advice for post-exit founders considering new ventures
00:52:01: Importance of risk tolerance
00:52:58: Determining the endgame for new businesses
00:53:41: Plans for Thunder
00:54:14: Decision against starting another big business
00:55:04: Balancing career and family priorities
00:55:48: Balancing Family and Ambitions
00:56:07: Introduction to Entrepreneurship in College
00:56:11: Influence of Successful Entrepreneurs
00:56:35: Reflections on Success and Family Time
00:56:39: Closing Remarks
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