| @JGut |
| Duke University, BA | 1998 |
| Sociology, Business | |
| Columbia University, MBA | 2004 |
| Business |
Josh Strauss / http://joshstrauss.com
Josh Guttman is the SVP of Platform Sales at Outbrain. Previously, he was the CEO of Surphace (an Aol company formerly known as Sphere). Josh led Aol’s divestiture of Surphace and its sale to Outbrain in January 2011.
Josh joined Sphere in 2007 as an early member of the business team and took ownership of advertising, product and design before assuming the role of COO in early 2009. He assumed the role of CEO later that year. Josh managed Sphere’s revenue growth under Aol, reaching a peak run rate of nearly $10 million in early 2010.
Josh has worked in and around early stage digital media since 1998. Before Sphere, he helped manage business development and product at Answers Corp, the owner of Answers.com. From 1998-2002, he worked in investment banking in San Francisco, initially as a Financial Analyst at Robertson Stephens & Co and later as an Associate at both E*Offering and SG Cowen advising private technology companies on business strategy and venture financing. He worked with more than 15 venture-backed companies who raised $250 million, including: Sportsline, Wayport, Stamps.com, SaveSmart, Oasis, 3rd Age Media and MaMaMedia.
| Company | Date | Round | Size | Participants |
| Piictu | 9/11 | Seed | $730k | 7 |
