We had an amazing chat with Jan Huibers from GoAdserver, and we just have to share it with you! Huge thanks to Jan for taking the time to talk with Eurorgazm Magazine—stay tuned, you don’t want to miss this! 🚀🔥
#ExclusiveInterview #BehindTheScenes
Business-Related Questions
Transition from Ero-Advertising to GoAdserver
After selling ero-advertising.com in 2018, what motivated you to start GoAdserver.com?
After selling ero-advertising.com in 2018, the motivation to start GoAdserver.com came from a deep passion for ad technology and a drive to innovate. The goal was to create a tech project that could be relevant to the ecosystem.
How did your experience with ero-advertising influence the vision for GoAdserver?
My previous experience was key to understanding the future of the market and developing new technology that makes sense for the advertising ecosystem, bringing true innovation. I used all my knowledge to create a more efficient and relevant ad-serving solution.
Technical Involvement & Development
You were heavily involved in programming at ero-advertising. Are you still hands-on with development at GoAdserver?
Yes, I am still the Main Programmer of GoAdServer as I am “gifted” with a creative brain. I can “overthink” the whole process during programming.
What technological advancements have you incorporated into GoAdserver that weren’t feasible when you built ero-advertising?
At GoAdserver, I’ve incorporated advancements like improved automation, real-time data processing, and more scalable infrastructure – features that weren’t feasible during ero-advertising due to technological limitations at the time.
Challenges of Building Two Ad Platforms
What were some key challenges you faced when launching ero-advertising, and how do they compare to the obstacles you encountered with GoAdserver?
Launching ero-advertising, the key challenges were building a reliable infrastructure, scaling efficiently, and gaining market trust. With GoAdserver, the obstacles shifted to developing more advanced technology, staying competitive in a rapidly evolving ad tech landscape, and ensuring seamless integration within the ecosystem.
Did selling ero-advertising change your perspective on business ownership and scaling?
Selling ero-advertising was a key milestone, allowing me to close one chapter and focus on a bigger, more ambitious project. It emphasized the importance of building technology that remains relevant over time and reinforced my focus on innovation and long-term sustainability.
Ad Tech Industry & Innovation
The ad tech space is constantly evolving. How do you see the future of digital advertising, and how does GoAdserver fit into that vision?
The future of digital advertising is driven by automation, privacy-centric solutions, and more efficient targeting. GoAdserver fits into this vision by providing scalable, adaptable technology that aligns with industry shifts, ensuring advertisers and publishers stay ahead in an evolving ecosystem.
What role do AI and automation play in modern ad-serving platforms, and how is GoAdserver leveraging these technologies?
AI and automation are essential in modern ad-serving platforms for optimizing targeting, bidding, and performance in real time. GoAdserver leverages these technologies to enhance efficiency, maximize ad relevance, and streamline campaign management for advertisers and publishers.
Currently there is no real AI involved in GoAdServer as all automatic processes are coded myself with their own algorithms, AI will be a future part of it.
Competitive Edge & Market Positioning
With major players like Google Ad Manager dominating the space, how does GoAdserver differentiate itself from competitors?
GoAdserver differentiates itself by offering a more flexible, independent, and transparent ad-serving solution. Unlike major players like Google Ad Manager, it provides greater control, customization, and privacy-focused technology, giving advertisers and publishers more autonomy over their monetization strategies.
What type of clients or businesses benefit most from GoAdserver’s services?
GoAdserver is ideal for advertisers, publishers, and ad/offer networks looking for a flexible, independent, and scalable ad-serving solution. Businesses that value customization, transparency, and control over their ad operations benefit the most from our platform. In the end, publishers were the ones who found the best way to use GoAdserver to reduce costs and enhance their capabilities.
Exit Strategy & Long-Term Vision
Do you see yourself selling GoAdserver in the future, similar to your experience with ero-advertising, or is this a long-term project?
No, there are still many challenges and opportunities for growth. GoAdserver is a long-term project with a vision to keep evolving and expanding in the ad tech space.
What’s your ultimate goal with GoAdserver – scaling globally, revolutionizing a specific niche, or something else?
The ultimate goal with GoAdserver is to create a powerful, independent ad-serving solution that adapts to industry changes while offering flexibility and control. Scaling globally is part of the vision, but the focus is also on continuously innovating and providing real value to advertisers and publishers.
Personal Life & Background Questions
Early Career & Passion for Coding
What sparked your interest in programming, and how did you teach yourself or develop your skills?
My interest in programming was sparked by a passion for technology and problem-solving. I taught myself through hands-on experience, experimenting with different technologies, building projects, and continuously learning to stay ahead in the evolving tech landscape.
To be honest, my “education level” ends with having a degree as a Treefarmer, i learned all programming myself as i love it, i am actually a autodidact
If you weren’t in ad tech, what other industry would you have pursued?
If I weren’t in ad tech, I would have pursued another technology-driven industry, likely focusing on software development, automation, or AI. Innovation and problem-solving have always been my core interests.
Lessons from Selling a Company
Selling a company is a major milestone. What’s the biggest lesson you learned from selling ero-advertising?
The biggest lesson I learned from selling ero-advertising is the importance of timing, adaptability, and building a business with long-term value. It taught me how to navigate growth, exit strategies, and the evolving needs of the market.
How did life change for you after the sale—both professionally and personally?
After the sale, life changed both professionally and personally. It gave me the freedom to focus on new projects, like GoAdserver, with a fresh perspective while also allowing more flexibility in my personal life.
Work-Life Balance & Entrepreneurship
Running a tech company is demanding. How do you balance your work and personal life?
Balancing work and personal life is challenging, but I prioritize efficiency, delegation, and setting boundaries to maintain a healthy balance.
What do you do to unwind outside of coding and business strategy?
Outside of coding and business strategy, I unwind by exploring new technologies, staying active, and spending time with family and friends. Finding time to do some sports and eat healthy food.
Advice to Aspiring Entrepreneurs & Developers
What advice would you give to young developers looking to build their own platforms?
Advice for young developers: Focus on solving real problems, keep learning, and start small but think big. Build scalable and adaptable technology while staying open to feedback and iteration.
What’s the one mistake you’d warn new entrepreneurs in ad tech to avoid?
Biggest mistake to avoid in ad tech: Relying too much on third-party platforms or neglecting data privacy regulations. Building independent, flexible solutions is key to long-term success.
Is there any business conference in Europe you never want to miss? Which is your favorite?
Must-attend business conference in Europe: There are many great events, but TheEuropeanSummit is one I never want to miss. It’s a leading conference for digital marketing and ad tech, bringing together industry leaders and innovators.
Personal Ambitions & Future Plans
Beyond GoAdserver, do you have any other passion projects or business ideas you’re excited about?
GoAdserver is more than enough for me, i study other tech things like AI but that is more a future thing how to apple more of it in the current system.
If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Advice to my younger self:
That’s complicated, I think I had to grow the way I am now learning from good and bad things. I remember my grandfather told me that I will become wise with my own experience.
I was a Treefarmer until the age of 28 which was a completely different life, and I got my first programmer job on nov. 1,2001 after almost 2 years of “hobby programming”. It was not easy to get a job as i did not have any education level, but one dutch adult company hired me as they were impressed what i could do and did not look at any “education”
At that time I really needed to switch jobs as I have suffered Fibromyalgia since I was 23 making my tree farmers life impossible.
I would probably tell my younger self to learn programming much earlier but at that time there were not that many options.
Whats your favorite movie of all time and why is that?
I hardly watch TV/Movies as I rather spend my time on programming or as a hobby play one game SC2.
