#419 Ed Osckar’s Journey: Thriving in Entrepreneurship, and Excelling in the Competitive Cloud Market

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we are joined by Ed Osckar, CEO of Wowrack, a cloud service provider specializing in Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), hybrid cloud solutions, and managed services. From his humble beginnings in Jakarta, Indonesia, to building Wowrack into a global player in the cloud infrastructure space, Ed shares his incredible entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of scaling a capital-intensive business, and the evolution of cloud computing. Ed also dives into the concept of cloud repatriation, the growing demand for hybrid cloud solutions, and how customer-centricity remains at the core of his company’s success. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a tech leader navigating the complex cloud landscape, this episode is packed with valuable insights! Key Takeaways • Entrepreneurship in Tech: Ed shares how he started Wowrack with just $5,000, overcoming early challenges as a fresh college graduate with no business experience. • The Evolution of Cloud Computing: Insights into the shift from web hosting to hybrid cloud and the emergence of cloud repatriation. • Navigating a Competitive Market: Strategies Ed employs to compete with industry giants like Amazon and Microsoft while retaining a “startup mindset.” • Customer-Centricity: How prioritizing service and building long-term relationships with clients has been key to Wowrack’s success. • The Future of Hybrid Cloud: Ed’s perspective on why hybrid cloud and tailored infrastructure solutions are gaining traction. About the Guest: Ed Osckar Ed Osckar is the CEO of Wowrack, a cloud service provider founded in 2001. With operations spanning nine global markets, Wowrack offers cutting-edge solutions in cloud hosting, data center infrastructure, and managed services. Born in Jakarta, Ed relocated to Seattle, Washington, where he pursued his education and launched his career in technology. Known for his customer-centric approach and innovative mindset, Ed has led Wowrack to thrive in a highly competitive industry. Connect with Ed Osckar and Wowrack: Website: wowrack.com Email: ed@wowrack.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eosckar/ Episode Highlights • [00:01:00] Ed Osckar’s introduction and his entrepreneurial journey. • [00:03:00] Starting Wowrack with $5,000 and no business experience. • [00:09:00] The evolution of cloud computing from web hosting to hybrid cloud. • [00:15:00] Cloud repatriation: Why companies are moving workloads back on-premise. • [00:22:00] How Wowrack competes with industry giants through creativity and customer service. • [00:30:00] Transforming IT departments into value-adding technology hubs. • [00:36:00] Ed’s advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in the tech industry.