Act Now, Cancel Later

Blake Scholl (Boom Supersonic CEO) shares his perspective on what it takes to build a successful startup, particularly when pursuing ambitious goals like creating supersonic commercial aircraft.

• Startup Motivation Philosophy:

  • Pick something personally meaningful and worthwhile
  • It should be a "must do" not a "could do"
  • The opportunity cost vs working at big tech should be "no contest"

• On Big Ideas:

  • Bigger ideas can be easier because:
    • They naturally motivate you
    • They attract better talent
    • They excite people around you

• Common Startup Mistakes:

  • Starting a company just for the sake of it
  • Pursuing ideas that don't deeply motivate you
  • Working on projects that won't be appreciated

• Keys to Success:

  • Stack the deck in your favor through personal motivation
  • Choose projects that feel like the most exciting thing you could do
  • Make sure it's something you "must" make happen

• Journey Transparency:

  • Has been open about company struggles
  • Experienced a significant down round
  • Faced near-failure multiple times
  • Current valuation around $2 billion, down from previous rounds

The perspective emphasizes that startup success comes from deep personal conviction and choosing ideas that generate genuine excitement, rather than pursuing ventures solely for business potential.