Burn the Boats: How Dave Morgan Bet It All and Built the Future of Ad Tech

What does it take to go all in on an idea? For Dave Morgan, a three-time entrepreneur and internet pioneer, it meant quitting his job before he had a plan.

In this episode of Critical Moments, Dave shares his journey from a small coal town in Pennsylvania to building some of the first ad networks that shaped digital media.

We dive into:

• [00:43] The moment Dave realized some decisions define your career

• [07:10] When the internet was still an idea—how he saw the future before it happened

• [12:26] The real elevator pitch (yes, it happened in an actual elevator)

• [22:21] Quitting his job before having a plan—why sometimes you have to burn the boats

• [33:34] The power of being open to opportunity and saying yes

• [41:34] The importance of storytelling, relationship-building, and trusting your gut

Dave’s story is a masterclass in risk-taking, decision-making, and building something from nothing. Whether you’re a startup CEO, a founder thinking about your next move, or just love hearing how big bets pay off, this one’s for you.