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January 15 @ 9:30 am - 11:00 am PST
FreeFrom Dot Com Lessons to $100M in Revenue: The Founder Journey of Jeff Ready
Across three decades and multiple companies, the founder’s journey is rarely linear, and Jeff Ready’s career proves it. From navigating the dot com collapse to early-stage exits, and ultimately building Scale Computing into a global competitor that reached $100 million in revenue before its exit, his story offers rare insight into the decisions founders face when markets shift, products evolve, and timing determines success.
In this session, Jeff will share how he learned when to persist and when a fresh start can accelerate growth. He will explore the challenges and opportunities of serving mid-market customers, how long-term journeys shape brand perception, and the ways market timing shapes strategic outcomes. He will also reflect on the realities of leading as a marketing and product-driven CEO in the earliest stages and how those instincts influenced every company he built.
For founders, this session is a window into the real decision-making behind growth, pivots, exits, and staying power. Jeff’s experience is proof that resilience, strategic timing, and a willingness to rethink your path often make the difference between stagnation and breakthrough.
Opening Remarks @ 9:30am PT
Join us for opening remarks with Dina Wagner, Head of Member Success at Founders Network, to get the latest updates from the Network and opportunities for getting involved.
Keynote Speaker @ 9:40am PT
Jeff Ready is a repeat founder and longtime CEO who has spent more than twenty five years creating and scaling technology companies. He began his career launching one of the earliest internet service providers in the Midwest before founding Radiate, one of the first online advertising platforms. His next company, Corvigo, pioneered AI based anti spam technology and was acquired after raising funding from Sequoia Capital.
Jeff later founded Scale Computing and led the company from four people to more than two hundred employees and one hundred million in revenue. Scale became a leading alternative to VMware before its acquisition in 2024. Jeff is known for his product intuition, marketing driven leadership style, and ability to guide companies through long market cycles and complex strategic decisions.
He is a frequent speaker on entrepreneurship and has presented frameworks on fundraising, company building, and the founder mindset to audiences ranging from universities to industry conferences. Jeff holds a degree in computer science from Rose Hulman Institute of Technology.
Stage-Based Roundtables @ 10:30am PT
Complimentary Ticket:
Are you a full-time tech founder? Be our guest! We’re making our events available to tech founders everywhere. Enjoy a complimentary ticket to come learn from fellow tech founders, partners and investors. Already used your complimentary guest pass? Request an invite to see if you qualify for membership.
About Founders Network:
Founded in 2011, Founders Network offers lifelong peer mentorship to over 600 tech startup founders globally. Our platform, programs and high-touch service facilitate authentic experience sharing, warm introductions and long-term professional relationships. Additional benefits include over $500k in startup discounts and promotion to 2,000 newsletter readers. Members are located in San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles, Vancouver, Toronto, London and other tech hubs. Each month our Membership Committee admits a new cohort of full-time tech founders who are nominated by an existing member. Learn more about us here
Confidentiality Policy
All information shared within Founders Network is strictly confidential. We are built on a foundation of trust, and the community takes confidentiality seriously. Investors, members, and staff all share experiences and opinions off the record. In this roundtable forum, we continue to model our fnValues of Reciprocity, Humility, Authenticity and Inclusivity. Read more about our Privacy Policy here.
Testimonials
"If you don't have a cohort group in something like Founders Network that you can develop long-term relationships with and discuss the same topics that come up with people that you already know, you're probably missing out on something very important."David Plonsky
"The number one advantage is the law of compound interest. The longer you stay in a very high-quality network the strong and more authentic relationships you build."Chaitanya Vaidya
"We know each other's business and we know each other's struggles. Having a personal relationship with other founders that is completely confidential and completely authentic gives you a lot of great advice."Doug Lessing
"FN manages my network for me by connecting me with other founders in my specific industry sector. I've been able to explore business development opportunities, partnerships, etc."Becky Splitt
"We just saw the first Mexican unicorn come to life this same week which is a fantastic idea. Being part of the Founders Network makes a lot of sense. We see that the Mexico City chapter is growing substantially."Max Linares
"There's a lot of great stuff going on even now in San Francisco. I've found Founders Network has been a great resource for me and for all of the founders I know during these tough times."Jarie Bolander
"It allowed me to meet people who had done this before that had the experience. I was able to explain an issue very briefly and they were able to give me a very detailed response on how they addressed it."Terence Finn
"I've used the platform to discover advice, connections, resources, discounts, on important services, connections to investors, and practice on how to pitch. The kind of conversations you can't get anywhere else on youtube or google searches."Alexandra Greenhill
"I see Founders Network as one of those necessary resources in the Chicagoland area."Jason Jacobsohn
"The Black Founders initiative allows me to shape this program where we can inspire, engage, and support Black Founders."Khiry Kemp
