On May 30, 2006, after nearly five years as my personal blog, we incorporated GigaOM, the company. Just 24 hours later, our investors, True Ventures, wired me the seed money to get going. They also presented me with a check in an envelope that had three simple words: Live the dream. GigaOM was True’s first investment. A few days later, I told my boss, Josh Quittner (who just joined Flipboard) that I was going to leave Business 2.0. Of course, someone leaked the news to Gawker’s Valleywag.
And just like that, five years have gone by. These have been the startup equivalent of street fighting years. I’ve shared the lessons I’ve learned on occasion, but when I look back over these past five years, I always think of people. I never think of the stories I did, the news I broke, the analysis, the interviews, the money, the fundraising, the offices. I just think of the awesome people who have worked to make my dream come true.
I didn’t want to write a five-year blog post. I didn’t want to do a stat-based round-up, though it would have been pretty cool. So when I brought my dilemma to Chris Albrecht — a dear friend, confidante and our creative chief — he suggested that perhaps we should do a video. And so we did. We have a lot of people, so not everyone is in this video, but they are all part of who we are. They are GigaOM!
One regret — Chris is not on camera, but he is in the video – he shot it, edited it and conceptualized it. And like everyone else in the team, Chris did everything to make me look good.
In the end, this video is about us and also about you, our readers, our community. You give us strength to do what we do, every day, every hour and with every single post. We succeed sometimes, we fail often, but we try. Thank you for lavishing us with your attention, for without you, we are no more than “yet another dumb website.”
Bravo to GigaOM!
Thanks Luke.
congrats to a great team and look forward to the next 5.
THanks Chetan and great to have you part of the family.
Quite an accomplishment, particularly during this transitional period for media. Congratulations.
Thanks Brian for being part of our journey and sharing insights view comments.
Congratulations and look forward to the next 5 years (no pressure).
thanks rob. appreciate the kind words.
What an accomplishment, Om. I’m a big fan and look forward to what the next 5 years will hold for GigaOM!
Thanks Loy. Me too. Looking forward to being part of your daily reading habit for next five years.
Same as it ever was — the best.
Thanks amigo for coming along the journey.
I remember day one when you left Business 2.0. You’ve had an eventful 5 years with business and health changes. Good for you on making it this far and here’s to your success.
Eventful is the right word — thanks Nick.
I have been reading Om since the very beginning and it just keeps getting better. Great success story. Congrats Om!
Thanks Erik. It has been fun to write about you as well.
Congrats GigaOM. We appreciate all the hard work and insight. This is why we always come back to you for the exclusives.
Thanks Patrick. It is a team effort. We appreciate your support.
Long live GigaOM. A must read site for anyone involved with technology. Success is a consequence of hard/good work.
Thanks Flavio, team GigaOm appreciates it.
Om, you give me far too much credit. You assembled an awesome team that’s a treat to work with (and film), and a daily source of inspiration.
Thanks for almost-four of those five years I’ve had the pleasure of working here, and to many more, sir.
5 years,eh. Congrats.
And btw, thanks for writing. But more importantly thanks for listening to your readers to all writers.
Thanks to you ronald for being part of the feedback system that keeps us focused on the right path.
Congrats from Australia !
Keep up the good work 🙂
Mike Lynch
Thanks Mike. 🙂
awesome achievement Om. Am a big fan. keep up the good work!
Thanks Ajit. Appreciate your kind words.
Thanks Ajit. Appreciate your kind words.
Congrats Om and team and keep up the good work.
Ps I’m still waiting for the weekly GigaOm show to come back…..
Congrats on a fantastic achievement. Keep up the good work and keep us informed on the latest happenings.
Thanks Mahesh
Congrats Om. Honored to have been a part of GigaOM for a couple of years.
Congrats. It’s been fun writing for you from time to time, and look forward to the next five years.
It’s amazing to see how GigaOm has developed over the last 5 years. Great team. Om – you made a dream come true.
Congratulations.
Kevin
I like what you said about adding value to the reader. As one of those readers, I can say you have succeeded. It is always inspiring to see someone’s dream come true after a lot of hard work. Congrats and good luck for the future.
And thank you guys for all of the awesome content!!!
Congratulations GigaOm and Om! Om – you are an inspiration. Every time I look at someone like you, I am more determined to “follow my dreams”. It’s an excruciating decision to leave a paycheck but the thrill of starting something and seeing it blossom has rewards that can not be described in words. Congratulations guys! You all ROCK!
Loved reading the story of how True Ventures gave you the envelope. Congrats to you Om and your entire team!
Loved reading the story of how True Ventures gave you the envelope. Congrats to you Om and your entire team!
Keep it up OM! You(Gigaom)are a shining star in the age of information overload.
ps: If you have any plan to visit Istanbul please just send a tweet, especially in october. 😉 http://webrazzi.com/summit
Great job GigaOM team. I have been following articles on your site from early blog days, and they are just awesome and right to the point. Keep up the good work in coming years too !
Kudos to Om and his team. I’ve been a reader for 4 years now and in those 4 years I have gone from using GigaOm’s blog for my graduate school work to my professional investment research now. Well, now I am a pro research subscriber as well :). So, you guys have me hooked. Keep up the great work!
Congratulations GigaOM – It’s great following you !!!! And Om,your posts are delightful.
Thank you for helping me find my way in the world of tech.Cheers !!!
loved the “Live your Dream” part! Congrats on turning 5.
Congratulations Om! Your great work is highly appreciated and as many look forward to many more years of the same.
[Continue your celebrations now 😉 ].
Congratulations Om! Your great work is highly appreciated and as many look forward to many more years of the same.
[Continue your celebrations now 😉 ].
Congratulations Om! Your great work is highly appreciated and as many look forward to many more years of the same.
[Continue your celebrations now 😉 ].
Hey Om and Team,
This is an inspiring story. I plan to read and watch more closely as you live your dream.
Best of luck,
Julian
Very Inspiring, specially to those outside the Valley
Congratulations Om, what a great accomplishment and here’s to many more.
DC
one of the best. keep on keeping on and thanks.