Lance Crosby is a name you might not hear every day, but he’s one of the major players in the world of cloud computing. If you’ve ever used cloud-based software or heard about IBM’s Watson, there’s a good chance he had something to do with it. Let’s dive into the story of this tech innovator and see how he changed the world with brains, business skills, and some serious ambition.
TLDR (Too Long, Didn’t Read)
Lance Crosby is the founder of SoftLayer, a cloud infrastructure company that was bought by IBM in 2013 for around $2 billion. He led IBM’s Cloud division and helped develop Watson, a cutting-edge AI system. After leaving IBM, he launched StackPath, a cybersecurity and edge computing company. He’s a serial entrepreneur who loves building smart tech that powers modern businesses.
Early Life and Education
Lance Crosby didn’t start out in the tech world. In fact, he studied finance and law. He earned six degrees, including an MBA and a law degree. He’s proof that you don’t have to start out as a coder to play a big role in tech.
He grew up in Texas and stayed there for much of his life and career. His drive, curiosity, and willingness to learn helped him break into the tech industry.
How SoftLayer Got Started
In 2005, Lance founded SoftLayer Technologies. He saw a gap in the market — businesses needed better infrastructure to run web apps, data centers, and online services. SoftLayer gave them control, speed, and power to build in the cloud.
This company quickly became a hit. It grew fast and served over 25,000 customers in more than 100 countries.
IBM Joins the Story
In 2013, IBM bought SoftLayer for about $2 billion. This was one of IBM’s biggest acquisitions at the time. With this move, IBM aimed to compete with giants like Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure.
After the deal, Lance became the General Manager of IBM Cloud. He didn’t just sell his company and walk away. He stayed on and played a key role in shaping IBM’s cloud strategy.
The Watson Years
While at IBM, Lance worked on Watson—the AI system famous for winning on the TV show Jeopardy! But Watson wasn’t just for show. Under Lance’s leadership, it became a powerful tool for businesses, hospitals, and researchers.
Watson could read and understand huge amounts of data. It helped doctors diagnose disease, banks detect fraud, and customer service reps give better answers.
A New Adventure: StackPath
In 2015, Lance decided to leave IBM. It was time for a new mission. Not long after, he launched StackPath, a cybersecurity and edge computing company.
Think faster, safer internet. Think protection for apps and users. That’s what StackPath does.
Lance believes that security and speed are key to the future of the internet. With StackPath, he’s combining cloud power with edge locations—for super-fast and secure digital services.
Big Investments and Bigger Dreams
StackPath attracted serious investor attention. It raised over $180 million within the first year. That’s a lot of cash! But investors believed in Lance and his vision.
The company now serves some of the world’s biggest websites and apps. It has data centers all over the world and continues to grow under Lance’s leadership.
What Makes Lance Crosby Different?
Here are a few things that set Lance apart:
- Visionary thinker: He sees tech trends before others do.
- Multi-skilled: With degrees in law, business, and finance, he brings more than just tech skills to the table.
- Hands-on leader: He’s involved, engaged, and invested in his companies’ success.
Fun Facts
- He once worked as a law clerk early in his career.
- SoftLayer started with only a few employees and grew to hundreds by the time it was sold.
- He loves the idea of “thinking ahead.” That’s why he’s always one step in the future of tech.
Quotes to Remember
Here are a couple of things Lance has said that give us a peek into his mindset:
- “Innovation is about solving unsolved problems.”
- “We don’t sell products—we offer solutions.”
Legacy and Future
Today, Lance Crosby continues to influence the tech world. He’s a respected name in cloud computing, cybersecurity, and edge infrastructure. His work has helped businesses all over the world grow and scale with ease.
Whether it’s SoftLayer, IBM, or StackPath, he’s left his mark. And chances are, he’s already thinking about what comes next in tech.
Conclusion
Lance Crosby is a tech trailblazer. From founding SoftLayer to building StackPath, his impact is everywhere. He’s a great example of how vision, learning, and daring to try something new can lead to huge success.
He may not be a household name, but in the tech world, he’s a legend. And his journey is far from over.