On this episode of the Think Small Podcast, we sit down with Dennis Kao, serial entrepreneur and CEO of multiple technology and data-focused companies, to explore a career that began in a college garage and evolved into building, scaling, and exiting successful IT and managed service businesses. Dennis shares how he turned a passion for computers and gaming into Proactiv, a business that served healthcare, local government, and professional services clients for over a decade, eventually leading to a strategic exit.

He dives into the lessons learned from navigating economic downturns, focusing on vertical specialization, and staying true to his core competency in data and analytics. Dennis also discusses his next ventures, which harness AI and data governance to help businesses monetize their data while protecting it—positioning them for growth in the new industrial revolution. This conversation is a masterclass in disciplined focus, strategic pivots, and leading technology-driven businesses in complex, evolving industries.

Connect:

Website: https://proactive-info.com/

LinkedIn: https://cz.linkedin.com/in/denniskao1