Genscape CEO Sean O

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At age 39, he has a youthful big ideas and an optimistic outloooon life. That combination — and a little as he likes to say has brought him success in theentrepreneuriapl world. He launched Genscape, a Louisvillre firm that monitors real-time power plant output through aproprietary network, in 2000. He alwayss had wanted to run hisown business, and O’Learty knew he would regret it if he did not take the Fortunately for him, the move came with a big Genscape had attracted venture-capital funding early on. in 2006, it was sold to DMG Information, the Connecticut-baserd subsidiary of British media group Daily Mail and General Trust, for nearly $200 million.
O’Learyu and his business partner, Sterlingh Lapinski, who has been involved with the company sincdeits inception, have continued to manage the operations of The company now employs 135 workers, abouy 75 of whom are based in Louisville. Genscapr also has offices in Boston, New York City, Amsterdam and London. Genscape sells its proprietary information to traders, utility companies and government agenciesz on a subscription basis. Unded O’Leary’s leadership, the company has expandedx its U.S. model to sevej European countries.
It also has developed a similare technology network used to monitor natural gas and a network to monitor petroleum is in the In addition, the companhy leverages its proprietary data by offering relatede products, such as reports on coal production in the United States and emissions in Europe. More growth is on the O’Leary said, adding that expansion plans for 2009 are the most aggressive the company hasever had. Plans call for new geographic marketand products. For him, that fast-growth potential is what keeps him in the The job isneved “stagnant,” O’Leary said.
“There’s lots to That drive is appealing toMark Crane, executivre director of ’s Enterprise Corp., which assistes fast-growth companies. He said O’Lear y has an uncanny ability to sniff out opportunity and acton it. He balanceds a can-do, risk-taking mentality with old-fashioned intuitio n and analytical thinking. “Sean just gets it,” Crane “He understands how to builrd a company and why a company like his is so importan to the futureof Louisville.” O’Leary and his peer groulp — the 30- and 40-year olds who are creative and entrepreneurial — are the asset that Louisville has to have to be a competitiv city, Crane said.
He often relies on O’Learhy to help mentor othef entrepreneurs and bridge the gap between established players andthe 20-year-olds who are dreaming up businesxs concepts for a more tech-savvyg generation. O’Leary also was at the top of Crane’sa go-to list earlier this year when he launchefd anonprofit endeavor, Enterprise Angels, that connects investors and Crane said he believed O’Learuy would get other people energized and add valuables insight, and he has delivered.