# Dave Otten

> Dave Otten is a New York-based technology entrepreneur who co-founded JW Player with Brian Rifkin and Jeroen Wijering, led the business through its evolution into a video platform and initially served as CEO after its 2024 merger with Connatix. He stepped down in March 2025 and continued as an adviser to the business later named JWX. He is now co-founder and CEO of Keld, an AI inference marketplace venture.

- **Role:** Co-founder and CEO at Keld; adviser to JWX following March 2025 transition
- **Organizations:** Keld, JW Player, JWP Connatix / JWX, AzoogleAds, Nielsen/NetRatings, About.com
- **Education:** BS in Business Administration; finance focus, Georgetown University, MBA, Harvard Business School
- **Known for:** Co-founded and led JW Player through its development from a video player into an enterprise video platform., Led JW Player through its $100 million Series E financing in 2021., JW Player ranked 248 in Deloitte’s 2017 North America Technology Fast 500, reporting 381% revenue growth over the measured period.

## Career timeline

- **Before 2007** — Held executive roles at About.com and Nielsen/NetRatings; managed a 6,000-affiliate network at AzoogleAds.
- **2007** — Co-founded the business that became JW Player with Brian Rifkin and Jeroen Wijering.
- **2014** — Led JW Player during a $20 million Series C financing.
- **2016** — JW Player announced a $20 million Series D round.
- **2019** — JW Player opened a Singapore office to expand its APAC operations.
- **2021** — JW Player acquired VUALTO and raised $100 million in Series E funding from LLR Partners.
- **2024-10** — Became initial CEO of JWP Connatix following the merger of JW Player and Connatix.
- **2025-03** — Handed the CEO role to John Nardone and continued as an adviser.
- **2025-12** — The merged business rebranded as JWX under Nardone.
- **2026-10** — Keld announced its emergence from stealth and Keld Atlas private beta; Otten is its co-founder and CEO.

## Achievements

- Co-founded and led JW Player through its development from a video player into an enterprise video platform.
- Led JW Player through its $100 million Series E financing in 2021.
- JW Player ranked 248 in Deloitte’s 2017 North America Technology Fast 500, reporting 381% revenue growth over the measured period.
- Led the initial combination of JW Player and Connatix.

## Latest updates

- **2026-10** — Keld’s October 7 announcement identifies Otten as co-founder and CEO and announces Keld Atlas in private beta.
- **2025-12** — JWP Connatix rebranded as JWX.
- **2025-03** — John Nardone became CEO; Otten stepped away from daily operations and remained an adviser.

## Links

- Website: https://keld.co/about
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-otten-4a86905/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/dave-otten
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-23