Nearly Three Decades of Building on the Web
I've been building businesses on the web since 1997—long enough that the early days now feel like a different era.
“From Glasgow to Dubai, building businesses across continents and sectors.”
The Journey
That year I founded Marcat, a web agency in Glasgow. It went on to earn three entries in the Deloitte Fast 50 technology companies, and I was a runner-up in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. Marcat went through several evolutions and eventually closed in 2010, but it laid the foundations for everything that followed.
Also in 1997, as an offshoot of Marcat, I started On the Spot, an internet company looking after domain names, email and hosting. Nearly 30 years later it is still trading, run by its director, Stefan Cent, and it still serves many of its original customers, something I remain quietly proud of. It is now being rebuilt as a modular growth platform for small businesses, with a new website live from 30 October 2026.
In 2003 I founded Clearfuse to build bespoke web applications. In 2006 it was renamed iBooking, focusing on online ticketing and booking software for coach, bus, sightseeing and activity operators, well before SaaS became mainstream.
Around the same time, curiosity led me into paid search and affiliate marketing. What began as an experiment with Google's newly launched AdSense product quickly became a full-time pursuit. I set up Affiliata to own and run a portfolio of affiliate projects and joint ventures. Within 18 months it had earned more than $1.5m from AdSense, with peak months of over $120,000. Affiliata became Clickspace in 2006.
Early Years
Founded Marcat and On the Spot
Started out in Glasgow, Scotland. Marcat earned three entries in the Deloitte Fast 50; On the Spot began as its offshoot.
Founded Clearfuse / iBooking.com
Bespoke web applications, then online ticketing and booking software for coach, bus, sightseeing and activity operators.
Launched Affiliata / Clickspace
A portfolio of affiliate and search projects that earned more than $1.5m from Google AdSense in 18 months.
Launched ResDiary
Restaurant reservation and table management software, cofounded with Mike Conyers from a 2004 concept.
Going Global
In 2008 Clickspace merged with Dubai-based Forsight to form DistinctMEDIA, and I moved to Dubai as managing director. DistinctMEDIA became part of Clicksco Group, which I cofounded. By 2016 Clicksco had more than 200 people in nine countries.
Alongside these ventures, I cofounded ResDiary, online reservation and table management software for restaurants, with restaurateur Mike Conyers. The concept dates from 2004 and we launched in 2006. It grew to serve thousands of venues around the world, and AccorHotels announced its acquisition of ResDiary on 9 April 2018.
Performous has also worked with and invested in other businesses, including DineAndGift (2016), digital gift voucher storefronts for restaurants spun out of ResDiary, and Yalla Protein (2020), a UAE sports nutrition manufacturer that received growth capital.
Formed DistinctMEDIA
Cofounded Clicksco Group
ResDiary Acquired by AccorHotels
Current Focus
Today I run Performous, my Dubai-based venture vehicle. It creates, operates and invests in businesses, combining nearly three decades of building companies with software developed using AI. Ideas. Investment. Execution.
Over the past year AI has changed how I work. I've always been reasonably good at spotting opportunities, strategy, brands and marketing, but never at writing software. Now I build it myself with AI coding tools.
At Powerworks Garage, where I'm a founding investor and lead digital strategy, I built the core of a bespoke CRM in days, then extended it over the following weeks. It replaced a set of disconnected tools and now manages around 3,000 customer relationships. For The Garage Guys we built the brand, website, CRM, an AI design studio, proposals and digital contracts, and the business has signed its first customer contract.
Alongside those are Visit Network, MagiPort, Cyclists.com, BetterFXRates, The Entrepreneur Institute, Centric Homes and the relaunch of On the Spot. I've written about all of this in After 30 years as an entrepreneur, I think I've discovered superpowers, and the full portfolio, with a case study for each venture, is at performous.com/ventures.
After nearly three decades on the web, the tools have changed dramatically, but the job is much the same: building useful products, finding audiences and turning ideas into sustainable businesses.
Interested in Working Together?
Whether you're looking for investment, partnership, or just want to connect—I'm always open to hearing about ambitious projects.
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