In today’s fast-paced digital world, we all experience the frustrations of information overload and scattered content. Whether it’s sifting through countless emails, searching for important files across multiple platforms, or struggling to stay updated on the latest company materials, the challenge of digital sprawl affects us all. 

The sheer volume of digital content generated, shared, and consumed has led to a chaotic landscape where valuable time is wasted searching for information, productivity suffers, and connections to our work become strained. This overwhelming problem of disorganized and hard-to-find content not only hampers our efficiency but also leaves us feeling disconnected from our companies and frustrated with the inefficiencies of the digital age.

It’s precisely in this environment that Cardware by CatalystXL steps in as a game-changer. Founded by Mark Russell and Dugan Schwalm, Cardware is a groundbreaking platform that addresses the challenges of digital sprawl head-on. Their vision is to simplify and enhance how businesses manage their digital content, enabling companies across industries to easily navigate the digital landscape.

Meet the Founders

Mark Russell, the CEO and co-founder of CatalystXL is a seasoned digital marketing and technology professional. With over 25 years of startup and executive leadership experience, his background showcases a proven track record of success.

Mark’s entrepreneurial journey began when he founded C-Quential, a software-as-a-service startup. After its acquisition by Connelly Partners, he continued to make a significant impact in the industry. Mark’s leadership roles include serving as the Chief Executive Officer of OTTO Detroit, where he established a digital transformation agency. Before that, he was the President of Wunderman Team Detroit, where he led the global digital marketing transformation of Ford Motor Company across 133 countries worldwide. Alongside his extensive industry experience, he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Lawrence University and a Juris Doctor degree from Western New England School of Law. 

Dugan Schwalm, the co-founder, and COO of CatalystXL, is a seasoned executive, investor, and financial professional with a strong venture capital and private equity background. With 20 years of experience, Dugan has made significant contributions to the growth and success of multiple organizations.

Before his role at CatalystXL, Dugan served as the Vice President of Lurie Investments, where he played a pivotal role in managing a large portfolio of private investments across healthcare, technology, and consumer product sectors involving several significant M&A and IPO exits with high ROIs. Dugan has also held key positions, such as Chief Operating Officer at CityBase, a company that was later sold for $160 million. Additionally, he served as Chief Operating Officer at VRSUS, LLC, showcasing his ability to oversee operations and drive organizational growth.

Dugan’s educational background is equally impressive, with a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Vanderbilt University. He further honed his business acumen by earning an MBA with Honors from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Dugan has also been a CFA Charterholder since 2008.

Together, Mark and Dugan have formed a partnership that capitalizes on their diverse skill sets, leading to a highly effective and successful business model. The synergy between their skill sets is recognized as a winning formula for success, their visionary-integrator dynamic allows them to navigate challenges effectively and drive Cardware’s growth. Their seamless collaboration and leverage of their respective expertise create a strong foundation for the company’s success, solidifying its position as a leader in the digital transformation landscape.

The Journey to Cardware

The partnership between Mark and Dugan as co-founders of Cardware traces back to their meeting in 2013, although the actual establishment of Cardware did not occur until 2018.

Mark and Dugan both had experiences in digital transformation and were frustrated by the difficulties involved in the process. Mark had previously built a Wayfinding app for General Motors, which was a challenging and expensive endeavor. This led him to believe there must be a better way to tackle digital transformation. Meanwhile, Dugan had worked on digital transformation projects in the fintech and legal tech industries.

Recognizing the recurring nature of their work and the need for a more efficient approach, Mark and Dugan joined forces to build Cardware. They started with a mobile-first strategy, understanding that solving the challenges associated with mobile applications would have a positive ripple effect on other aspects of digital transformation, such as websites, kiosks, and various devices like smartphones and tablets.

Their shared vision was to assist companies in digitally transforming their operations, with a particular focus on content management. They wanted to provide a platform that could eliminate the need to repeatedly build the same solutions from scratch, saving time and improving efficiency for others going through similar digital transformation journeys.

An All-In-One Platform

Cardware is a comprehensive solution that effortlessly streamlines content management, eliminating the need for time-consuming searches and scattered information. By consolidating content from various sources into an intuitive system, Cardware enables easy access to vital information for employees, partners, and clients. No longer will you have to sift through endless emails or struggle to recall where documents are saved. With Cardware, everything is neatly organized and just a few clicks away.

But Cardware offers more than just organization and searchability. They recognize that effective content management is all about engagement and user experience. That’s why their platform takes content navigation to the next level, transforming it into an enjoyable experience through a graphically intuitive interface and visually appealing thumbnails. Users can effortlessly browse through their company-branded app, finding the most important information in a user-friendly manner. This seamless and intuitive content browsing experience eliminates frustration and enhances connectivity with digital content.

In a world where businesses struggle with digital sprawl, Cardware emerges as the solution that brings order, efficiency, and connectivity to the digital landscape. Led by Mark Russell and Dugan Schwalm, Cardware is at the forefront of redefining content management and revolutionizing how we navigate the digital age. To learn more, visit catalystxl.com.