The phrase "early oughts" refers to the time period between the years 2000 and 2009. It is a way of talking about the beginning of the 21st century or the early 2000s. Full definition
Alex Pall of The Chainsmokers is a dear friend of mine since the early oughts. (billboard.com)
Instead, Little Miss Sunshine, for all its early oughts accolades, never received much conversation about its Proust - obsessed supporting character Frank Ginsburg, played by Steve Carell. (sundance.org)
The story for creating Scion IIRC was to have a brand to appeal to 20 - somethings... the young buyers weren't really going for Toyotas in the early oughts. (cheersandgears.com)