Jay Adelson
Born
Jay Steven Adelson

(1970-09-07) September 7, 1970 (age 53)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
OccupationInternet entrepreneur
Spouse
Brenda Shea
​
(m. 1996)​

Jay Steven Adelson (born September 7, 1970) is an American Internet entrepreneur.[1] In 2014 Adelson co-founded Center Electric with Andy Smith.[2] In 2013 he founded Opsmatic, a technology company that improves productivity on operations teams.[3] In 2015 Opsmatic was bought by New Relic.[4] Adelson's Internet career includes Netcom, DEC's Palo Alto Internet Exchange, co-founder of Equinix, Revision3 and Digg, and CEO of SimpleGeo, Inc.[5][6] In 2008, Adelson was named a member of Time Magazine's Top 100 Most Influential People in the World[7] and was listed as a finalist on the same list in 2009.[8]

Early life

Adelson was born in Detroit, Michigan and lived in Southfield, Michigan as a child.[9] He attended Cranbrook Kingswood School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan until 1988.[10] He graduated from Boston University, where he studied Film and Broadcasting along with a concentration in Computer Science, in 1992.[11]

Career

In 1992, Adelson moved to San Rafael, California to pursue a career in post-production sound engineering.[12] After a period of time and world travel, Adelson moved to San Francisco, California in 1993, pursuing instead a career in Internet infrastructure and entrepreneurism. Adelson met Brenda Shea in May 1994 and they married in June 1996.[9][13]

After his experiences at Equinix and stresses associated with his work with government on cybersecurity following 9/11, Adelson moved to Pawling, New York in June 2004.[13] Adelson commuted from New York to San Francisco to found and operate Revision3 and Digg, eventually moving back to Mill Valley, California in the summer of 2009.[1][14]

On July 15, 2003, he testified before the United States House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emerging Threats, Cybersecurity, and Science and Technology, as part of an industry panel on "The Private Sector's Role in Keeping America's Cyberspace Secure."[15]

Companies

Netcom

In 1993, Adelson joined Netcom, one of the first global ISPs, as an Installation Coordinator, and shortly moved-up to Director of Network Operations. At the time of his departure in 1996, Adelson was responsible for network engineering, operations and customer service.[13][16] While at Netcom, In February 1995, Adelson was present and managing network operations during the pursuit and capture of former computer hacker Kevin Mitnick by Tsutomu Shimomura.[17]

PAIX

In late 1996, Adelson worked for Digital Equipment Corporation's Network System Laboratory, specifically Albert M. Avery IV, to build and operate the Palo Alto Internet Exchange (PAIX). It was later renamed the Peering and Internet Exchange after the acquisition by Switch and Data Corporation. Adelson worked alongside Stephen Stuart and Paul Vixie to build a datacenter and services suited for scaling the core of Internet traffic. Adelson's efforts led to the facilities success as an Internet Exchange Point. The datacenter and exchange point remain in operation today in Palo Alto, California.[13][18] PAIX was later acquired by Equinix in Equinix's October, 2009 acquisition of Switch and Data.[19][20]

Equinix

In June 1998, Adelson and Avery left Digital Equipment Corp and founded Equinix, Inc. (briefly Quark Communications).[21] Adelson served as Founder and Chief Technology Officer, responsible for the invention, design and construction of Equinix's datacenters and Internet Exchange Points (known by Equinix as Internet Business Exchanges).[22] Adelson led research and development and was responsible for several patents.[23][24][25] Adelson also assisted in the raising of capital including private equity rounds, a high-yield new entrant bond deal, and an initial public offering in August 2000.[26]

Revision3

Adelson and Kevin Rose, along with co-founding team that included Ron Gorodetsky, Dan Huard, Keith Harrison and David Prager, founded Revision3 in April 2005.[27] In addition to co-founding and acting as CEO of Digg, Adelson remained CEO and Chairman of the Board of Revision3 for two and a half years, raising two rounds of capital.[28][29] Jim Louderback was hired as CEO in June 2007. Adelson remains Chairman of the Board of Revision3 presently and hosted his own show called Ask Jay which demystifies the start-up process by providing advice, tips, and answering questions.[30] In May 2012, Revision3 was bought by Discovery Communications.[31][32]

Digg

Adelson and Kevin Rose met while Rose was producing an episode of The Screen Savers in 2003 and interviewed Adelson then at Equinix. On December 5, 2004 Kevin Rose, Owen Byrne, Ron Gorodetsky and Adelson started Digg with a $6,000 investment from then 27-year-old Rose.[33] Adelson continued to provide business mentorship throughout the company's first few months of operation, taking the position of CEO in February 2005.[33][34] Adelson raised the first venture capital round which closed in September 2005.[35] Adelson recruited the initial management team, set up the offices in San Francisco, and commuted from New York as CEO. Adelson raised two more rounds of capital, leading the company through its peak of over forty million unique visitors a month.[34][36] Adelson left Digg in April, 2010 over disagreements with Rose and the board over the company's direction and leadership.[37][38][39]

SimpleGeo

In November 2010, Adelson assumed the role of CEO of SimpleGeo, Inc. when co-founder Matt Galligan stepped down.[40] SimpleGeo was a location-aware services company for developers of mobile applications. Adelson had been advising the business, largely stemming from a relationship with the company's founder, Joseph Carl Stump, who served as Lead Architect at Digg, Inc. previously.[16] In October 2011 SimpleGeo was purchased by Urban Airship and Adelson resumed his advising role.[6]

Opsmatic

In early 2013, Adelson co-founded Opsmatic with Mikhail Panchenko and Jim Stoneham. On November 13, 2013, Adelson posted an article on GigaOm describing an alternative stock plan known as the Dynamic Stock Pool.[3] Opsmatic launched to the public in 2014 and Adelson stepped back his active role in order to focus on a new pursuit of a venture capital firm, Center Electric.[2] In November 2015 New Relic Acquired Opsmatic.[4][41]

Center Electric

In June 2014, Adelson co-founded Center Electric with Andy Smith. Center Electric is an early-stage technology venture capital firm designed to leverage the growth of the Internet of Things. The company calls itself Center Electric based on the company of the same name founded by Adelson's great-grandfather in Detroit in the 1940s.[2]

Boards and advisorships

Adelson sits on the board of NewAer, Defense.net and Opsmatic.[42] In February 2019, Adelson was appointed to IT service management company Megaport Limited's Board of Directors and named Chair of the company's Innovation Committee.[43] He also advises companies, including Bonusly, Circa, DAV foundation, Founders Den, Ginkgotree, NewsBasis, Katchall, Nuzzel, Ouya, Permanent, Kiip, SOAK, SiiTV, Urban Airship, August, LoveBook, Graphic.ly,[44] Fflick (sold to Google/YouTube in 2011),[45] RoqBot, Plex, and Attachments.me.[46]

References

  1. ^ a b O'Brien, Chris (2010-10-26). "Former Digg CEO Jay Adelson and the confessions of a start-up addict". SiliconBeat. SiliconBeat. Archived from the original on 2011-07-14. Retrieved 2011-07-31.
  2. ^ a b c Battelle, John (2015-02-06). "Remember the Internet When Considering the Things". John Battelle's Searchblog. Battelle Media. Archived from the original on 2015-02-11. Retrieved 2015-02-11.
  3. ^ a b Adelson, Jay (2013-11-13). "It's time to rethink startup equity". Gigaom. Archived from the original on 2014-03-18. Retrieved 2014-03-18.
  4. ^ a b Lardinois, Frederic (2015-11-05). "New Relic Acquires Cloud Infrastructure Monitoring Service Opsmatic". AOL, Inc. Archived from the original on 2016-01-24. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
  5. ^ Barbierri, Cody (2010-11-15). "Former Digg CEO Jay Adelson finds himself at SimpleGeo". MobileBeat. VentureBeat. Archived from the original on 2011-08-07. Retrieved 2011-07-31.
  6. ^ a b Kveton, Scott (2011-10-31). "Urban Airship Acquires SimpleGeo". Urban Airship Blog. Archived from the original on 2011-11-02. Retrieved 2011-10-31.
  7. ^ Grossman, Lev (2009-04-30). "The 2008 TIME 100: Builders & Titans - Jay Adelson". Time Magazine. Time, Inc. Archived from the original on 2011-09-06. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
  8. ^ Raftery, Brian (2008). "Jay Adelson: 2009 TIME 100 Finalist". Time Magazine. Time, Inc. Archived from the original on 2011-02-13. Retrieved 2011-07-31.
  9. ^ a b Banister, Cyan (2010-07-09). "TechCrunch TV: Speaking Of… Detroit, Featuring Scott and Jay Adelson". TechCrunchTV. TechCrunch. Archived from the original on 2011-08-31. Retrieved 2011-07-31.
  10. ^ "Jay Adelson, '88, Gives Sirchio Lecture". Cranbrook School. Cranbrook School. 2010-10-29. Archived from the original on 2011-10-09. Retrieved 2011-07-31.
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  12. ^ "The Next Big Thing » COMtalk | Blog Archive | Boston University". www.bu.edu. Retrieved 2018-07-16.
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  15. ^ "Testimony and Statement for the Record: Industry Speaks on Cybersecurity - Jay Adelson Founder and Chief Technology Officer Equinix, Inc". U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Science and Research and Development. Retrieved 2011-08-01.
  16. ^ a b Catacchio, Chad (2010-11-15). "Ex-Digg CEO Jay Adelson to take the reins at location startup SimpleGeo". The Next Web. The Next Web. Archived from the original on 2010-11-18. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
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  18. ^ Miller, Rich (2006-07-20). "Equinix Provides Sturdy Back End for Digg". Data Center Knowledge. Data Center Knowledge. Archived from the original on 2011-08-02. Retrieved 2011-08-01.
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  20. ^ Miller, Rich (2009-10-21). "Equinix to Buy Switch & Data Facilities Co". Data Center Knowledge. Archived from the original on 2011-08-03. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
  21. ^ Beato, Greg (2000-06-13). "Shelter From the Storm: Equinix builds high-security bunkers". Business 2.0. Imagine Media. pp. 286–300.
  22. ^ Rohde, David (2001-03-13). "Equinix makes the Internet sing". ITWorld. ITWorld. Archived from the original on 2012-03-22. Retrieved 2011-07-31.
  23. ^ US patent 6,971,029, Avery IV; Albert M. (San Jose, CA), Adelson; Jay Steven (San Francisco, CA), Vogt; Derrald Curtis (San Jose, CA), "Multi-ringed internet co-location facility security system and method", published 2005-11-29, assigned to Equinix, Inc. 
  24. ^ US patent 6,976,269, Avery IV; Albert M. (San Jose, CA), Adelson; Jay Steven (San Francisco, CA), Vogt; Derrald Curtis (San Jose, CA), "Internet co-location facility security system", published 2005-12-13, assigned to Equinix, Inc. 
  25. ^ US patent 7,577,154, Yung; John (Fremont, CA), Adelson; Jay Steven (San Francisco, CA), "System and method for traffic accounting and route customization of network services", published 2009-08-18, assigned to Equinix, Inc. 
  26. ^ Bechtel (1999-11-04). "Equinix and Bechtel Form Strategic Alliance for Global Buildout of Equinix IBX Facilities to House Internet Core". bechtel.com. bechtel.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-05. Retrieved 2011-07-31.
  27. ^ Tiwari, Neha (2007-02-28). "Revision3 revs up for XLR8r TV launch". Cnet. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 2012-11-02. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
  28. ^ Helft, Miguel (2006-09-25). "News-ranking site's founders go video - Technology - International Herald Tribune". New York Times. Archived from the original on 2011-08-02. Retrieved 2011-08-01.
  29. ^ Claburn, Thomas (2006-09-26). "Digg Founders Launch Online Network Designed To Kill Your TV...Sort Of". InformationWeek. InformationWeek. Archived from the original on 2011-09-29. Retrieved 2011-08-01.
  30. ^ Gannes, Liz (2007-07-10). "Old Media Jumping to New Media". NewTeeVee. gigaom. Archived from the original on 2011-08-07. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
  31. ^ Cheredar, Tom (3 May 2012). "Confirmed: Revision3 acquired by Discovery Communications". Venture Beat. Archived from the original on 2 September 2012. Retrieved 2012-09-17.
  32. ^ Ha, Anthony (3 May 2012). "Yep, Revision3 Has Been Acquired By The Discovery Channel". Tech Crunch. Archived from the original on 5 September 2012. Retrieved 2012-09-17.
  33. ^ a b Marcus, Stephanie (2010-08-25). "A Brief History of Digg". Mashable. Mashable. Archived from the original on 2010-08-26. Retrieved 2011-09-05.
  34. ^ a b Lacy, Sarah (2006-08-14). "Valley Boys: Digg.com's Kevin Rose leads a new brat pack of young entrepreneurs". BusinessWeek. BusinessWeek. Archived from the original on 2011-08-02. Retrieved 2011-07-31.
  35. ^ Sarno, David (2008-09-23). "Digg gets $28.7M boost, plans to double size, go global". LA Times. Archived from the original on 2010-04-07. Retrieved 2011-09-05.
  36. ^ Austin, Scott (2009-11-17). "Digg CEO: Profitability Is Not A Problem Anymore". New York Times. Archived from the original on 2009-11-19. Retrieved 2011-09-06.
  37. ^ Ostrow, Adam (2010-04-05). "Kevin Rose to Replace Jay Adelson as Digg CEO". Mashable. Mashable. Archived from the original on 2010-04-07. Retrieved 2011-09-05.
  38. ^ Bilton, Nick (2010-04-05). "Digg Founder Kevin Rose to Replace Jay Adelson as C.E.O." New York Times. Archived from the original on 2010-04-06. Retrieved 2011-09-05.
  39. ^ Arrington, Michael (2010-04-05). "Digg's Kevin Rose: "One Of Us Has To Leave"". Tech Crunch. AOL. Archived from the original on 2010-04-07. Retrieved 2011-09-06.
  40. ^ Galligan, Matt (2010-11-15). "Digg CEO: An Important and Exciting Update". SimpleGeo Blog. Archived from the original on 2010-11-17. Retrieved 2011-09-09.
  41. ^ Moore, Madison; Mulligan, Christina (2015-11-06). "Lookout discovers new Android malware, Google Play Services 8.3, and New Relic's acquisition of Opsmatic". SD Times. Archived from the original on 2016-01-10. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
  42. ^ Schroter, Wil (2015-05-02). "Meet 7 Angel Investors Who Love Crowdfunding". Forbes. Archived from the original on 2015-02-11. Retrieved 2015-02-11.
  43. ^ Duckett, Chris. "Megaport says APAC has turned corner as overall revenue and net loss grows". ZDNet. Retrieved 2019-03-06.
  44. ^ Slobotski, Jeff (2011-01-25). "Micah Baldwin of Graphic.ly talks about latest round of funding (Video)". Silicon Prairie News. Archived from the original on 2011-07-04. Retrieved 2011-08-03.
  45. ^ Mager, Andrew (2011-01-14). "fflick: The best social movie recommendation site". ZD Net. Archived from the original on 2011-08-24. Retrieved 2011-08-02.
  46. ^ "Jay Adelson". AngelList. 2014-03-15. Archived from the original on 2014-04-09. Retrieved 2014-03-17.

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