From 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.