From Joyent to Federated: Building Cloud Innovation, Losing His Company, and Disrupting Big Tech with David Young

What this episode covers

In this episode of Raw and Real Entrepreneurship, Susan Sly sits down with David Young—founder of Federated Computer and the visionary behind Joyent, the cloud infrastructure company that powered Twitter and Tumblr before its $170M acquisition by Samsung. David shares an unfiltered account of building innovative cloud technology, losing his company due to personal struggles, and rebuilding his life through endurance sports and a renewed entrepreneurial mission. Now, with Federated, he is challenging Big Tech’s dominance by helping startups protect their data, cut software costs, and scale with open-source solutions. Susan and David explore the future of open source, cloud innovation, startup resilience, and what it truly takes for founders to recover, rebuild, and lead on their own terms. Whether you are a founder, investor, or navigating your next chapter, this episode will challenge, inspire, and equip you with the mindset and tools to rise stronger than ever. About David Young: David Young is a pioneer in cloud computing and the founder of Joyent, the company behind early infrastructure powering Twitter, LinkedIn, and Tumblr. He helped invent technologies like Node.js and cloud-based virtual machines. Now, as founder of Federated Computer, he’s focused on open-source solutions that help startups scale securely and break free from Big Tech. Connect with David: Website https://www.federated.computer/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidpaulyoung/ About Susan Sly: Susan Sly is the maven behind Raw and Real Entrepreneurship. An award-winning AI entrepreneur and MIT Sloan alumna, Susan has carved out a niche at the forefront of the AI revolution, earning accolades as a top AI innovator in 2023 and a key figure in real-time AI advancements for 2024. With a storied career that blends rigorous academic insight with astute market strategies, Susan has emerged as a formidable founder, a discerning angel investor, a sought-after speaker, and a venerated voice in the business world. Her insights have graced platforms from CNN to CNBC and been quoted in leading publications like Forbes and MarketWatch. At the helm of the Raw and Real Entrepreneurship podcast, Susan delivers unvarnished wisdom and strategies, empowering aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned business veterans alike to navigate the challenges of the entrepreneurial landscape with confidence. Connect With Susan: Website ⁠https://susansly.com⁠ Website ⁠https://thepause.ai/⁠ LinkedIn ⁠@susansly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices