In Conversation With... Kevin Ryan

In our latest Carmoola guest call, we had the honour of speaking with Kevin Ryan, a legendary figure in the New York tech scene. 

Often referred to as the "Godfather of New York Tech," Kevin's impressive career includes founding and growing several successful companies, such as DoubleClick, MongoDB, Business Insider, and Gilt Groupe. 

His journey from corporate executive to serial entrepreneur is a lesson in discipline and focus, and how success comes from giving a small number of things your full attention at any one time in your life. Watch the conversation, in full, here: 

From corporate to startup: The early years 👔

Kevin began his career working for large corporations, including Disney and Prudential. By the age of 30, he was the CFO and COO of a division of a large media company. It was during this time, in the early days of the internet, that Kevin's entrepreneurial spirit began to take shape. He started a website within the company, which quickly gained traction. However, the parent company was hesitant to invest further in this "internet thing."

Recognising the potential of the internet, Kevin decided to venture out on his own. He joined a small startup called DoubleClick, which had only ten employees at the time. Under his leadership, DoubleClick grew exponentially, going public just 24 months after its inception and was eventually acquired by Google for $3 billion.

The rollercoaster ride of entrepreneurship 🤩

Kevin's time at DoubleClick wasn't all smooth sailing. After an initial period of rapid growth, the company faced significant challenges when the internet bubble burst, leading to the loss of 70% of their clients and a dramatic drop in stock price. Despite these setbacks, Kevin and his team persevered, restructuring the company and emerging as the dominant player in ad technology.

Following his success with DoubleClick, Kevin continued to build and invest in new ventures. In one year alone, he founded Business Insider, MongoDB, and Gilt Groupe, each of which became highly successful in their respective fields. His ability to identify opportunities and build strong teams around innovative ideas has been a hallmark of his career.

Expertise in psychedelics and mental health treatment 💊

In addition to his business ventures, Kevin has become a prominent advocate and investor in the field of psychedelics as a treatment for mental health. His interest in this area began in 2017 after reading Michael Pollan's book "How to Change Your Mind," which explores the history and therapeutic potential of psychedelics. Kevin was struck by the evidence suggesting that substances like LSD, psilocybin (magic mushrooms), MDMA, and ketamine could offer significant mental health benefits when used under controlled conditions.

Kevin's company, AlleyCorp, has invested in a biotech company that is taking a compound through the FDA approval process to treat conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety. This effort is part of a broader movement to integrate psychedelics into mainstream mental health treatment, backed by rigorous scientific research. 

For instance, MDMA has shown promising results in treating PTSD, with studies indicating that 66% of participants no longer met the criteria for PTSD after undergoing MDMA-assisted therapy, a success rate far surpassing traditional treatments.

Kevin explained that psychedelics increase neuroplasticity in the brain, enhancing connectivity and potentially offering profound therapeutic effects. He noted that while there are risks, such as the potential for "bad trips," these substances are fundamentally safer than many commonly used drugs, like alcohol, and are not addictive. The key to their effective use lies in proper dosing and the context in which they are administered.

Adventures beyond Business 🧭

Kevin's interests extend far beyond the business world. He shared stories of his adventurous expeditions, including a scientific trip to Antarctica where he participated in research on how extreme conditions affect human physiology. He also spoke about his passion for electronic dance music and his experiences at festivals like Burning Man and Glastonbury, where he enjoys the vibrant community and creative expression.

Philanthropy and Social Impact 🫶

In addition to his business ventures, Kevin is deeply committed to philanthropy. He discussed his involvement in initiatives to support underrepresented founders and nonprofits. AlleyCorp has offered engineering resources to nonprofits, helping them build crucial projects that they otherwise couldn't afford.

Embracing Life to the Fullest 🚀

Kevin’s story shows that whether it's building billion-dollar companies, exploring the farthest corners of the earth, or dancing at a music festival, every aspect of life should be approached with passion and purpose. 

For more inspiring stories and insights from industry leaders, stay tuned to the Carmoola blog. And if you haven't already, check out our previous conversations with Nigel Morris and Matthew Dicks.