Turning an idea into a thriving business is no easy task. Doing it three times and guiding each venture to a successful exit is something few entrepreneurs can claim. David T. Scott has done exactly that. With a unique mix of corporate leadership experience and startup grit, David T. Scott has built and sold three venture-backed companies, each one teaching him lessons about resilience, risk, and reinvention.
Before founding Evil Genius Games, David T. Scott had already made a name for himself in the tech and marketing world. He held executive roles at Amazon Web Services and Twitter, where he managed billion-dollar marketing budgets and led global teams. But it was his journey as a founder that shaped his most valuable insights. These startups were not just business ventures, they were personal missions, forged from vision and built through relentless execution.
David T. Scott’s First Big Win: NextPlanetOver
David T. Scott’s first startup, NextPlanetOver, was launched during the early days of e-commerce. The company created one of the first online comic book and collectible stores, capitalizing on the rapidly growing internet economy. It was a bold idea at a time when most people were still hesitant to buy anything online.
Through strategic partnerships and a deep understanding of fan communities, David T. Scott grew the company into a category leader. Eventually, NextPlanetOver was acquired by eToys/Toys “R” Us. The exit validated David T. Scott’s instincts about the power of niche communities and the value of storytelling-driven commerce.
Marketfish: Data Meets Performance Marketing
The second company David T. Scott founded was Marketfish, a data-driven platform that helped businesses execute precision email marketing campaigns. At the time, there was a gap in the market for high-quality, compliant data solutions. David T. Scott recognized the need for a platform that offered both scale and accuracy.
Under his leadership, Marketfish built a database covering 90 percent of U.S. households and processed over $500 million in advertising spend. The company attracted strong investor backing and eventually caught the attention of WPP, one of the largest advertising groups in the world. The acquisition marked another successful exit for David T. Scott, this time in the B2B marketing space.
Laughly: Comedy, Technology, and a Bold Vision
David T. Scott’s third startup, Laughly, was perhaps his most ambitious. He created the world’s first streaming comedy app, combining a love for stand-up with cutting-edge mobile technology. The platform featured thousands of hours of comedy content and quickly gained traction among fans and performers alike.
Laughly was featured on Apple’s “Planet of the Apps,” won awards from SXSW, Wall Street Journal, and TechCrunch Disrupt, and was named Editor’s Choice by Apple. Eventually, it was acquired by Kevin Harts’ Laugh Out Loud, marking a high-profile exit that showcased David T. Scott’s ability to blend content and tech in innovative ways.
What David T. Scott Would Tell Future Founders
At the heart of every successful venture are the people who bring it to life. Scott would remind future founders that building a company isn’t just about strategy and innovation. It’s about empowering the individuals behind the mission. Respect your team, invest in their growth, and foster an environment where ideas can thrive. When people feel valued, supported, and trusted, they do their best work, and that collective energy becomes the driving force behind lasting success.
Building three startups gave David T. Scott a front-row seat to the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. One of the biggest takeaways, according to him, is the importance of timing. An idea can be brilliant, but if the market is not ready, even the best team can struggle.
He also emphasizes the need for adaptability. Each of his ventures required different leadership styles and decision-making approaches. From e-commerce to data to streaming, David T. Scott had to evolve constantly.
Lastly, he believes that exits are not just financial events. They are strategic milestones. Knowing when to sell and to whom is as critical as knowing when to start.
David T. Scott’s Vision Moving Forward
Today, David T. Scott is focused on building Evil Genius Games into a global storytelling platform. But the lessons from his previous exits still guide his leadership. Whether it is creating scalable infrastructure, assembling strong teams, or protecting creator rights, he brings hard-earned experience to every decision.
For aspiring founders, David T. Scott’s journey is a reminder that exits do not happen by accident. They are the result of clear vision, bold execution, and the courage to keep building even when the odds seem steep.
