Founder Story: Blake Scholl of Boom Supersonic
From Software to Supersonic: The Unconventional Path
Blake Scholl's journey to becoming a pioneer in supersonic aviation is anything but typical. Born in suburban Cincinnati, Scholl's fascination with flight began in childhood, watching Cessnas take off and land at the local airport. However, his early career took a different trajectory. After studying computer science at Carnegie Mellon University, Scholl began his professional life as a software engineer at Amazon in 2001.
During his time at Amazon, Scholl quickly demonstrated his aptitude for innovation and leadership. By age 24, he was managing a $300 million P&L and pioneering automated digital ad buying. This early success in the tech world laid the foundation for his future endeavors, teaching him valuable lessons in scaling businesses and pushing technological boundaries.
Scholl's entrepreneurial spirit led him to co-found Kima Labs in 2010, a mobile technology startup that was later acquired by Groupon in 2012. At Groupon, he held multiple executive roles, culminating in a position overseeing relevance, email, and search. However, it was during this time that Scholl began to yearn for something more impactful.
"There's nothing like working on Internet coupons to make you yearn to work on something you really love, that you feel could make a difference in the world," Scholl reflected in an interview.
This desire for meaningful impact led Scholl to make a list of startup ideas, ranked by how awesome they would be if successful, completely disregarding feasibility. To his surprise, the idea of reviving supersonic travel not only topped his list but also proved to be more viable than he initially thought.
A Vision Born from Personal Passion
Scholl's fascination with supersonic flight was deeply personal. He had earned his private pilot license in 2008 and instrument rating in 2011, fueling his passion for aviation. The turning point came when he saw the retired Concorde in a museum, sparking a dream to bring back commercial supersonic flight.
"I set a goal in my mid-twenties that I wanted to go Mach 2," Scholl revealed in a 2020 interview. "I put a Google Alert on 'supersonic jet' so I could be the first to know when I could buy a ticket."
This personal obsession led Scholl to dive deep into aerospace engineering, reading textbooks and taking classes to understand the principles of supersonic flight. What he discovered was surprising: the technology to make supersonic travel economically viable had finally arrived, 50 years after the Concorde's design.
In September 2014, Scholl took the leap and founded Boom Supersonic. His vision was clear: to create a supersonic airliner that would make high-speed travel mainstream and enable a new world of human connection.
Building in the Face of Opposition
When Scholl first announced his plans to build a supersonic airliner, the reaction was largely skeptical. In 2014, the prevailing view was that supersonic flight was a relic of the past, with the Concorde's retirement in 2003 seeming to close the chapter on commercial supersonic travel.
"If I look back at what the world thought about supersonic flight in 2014, it is not what the world thinks today. We've been able to change that," Scholl stated.
The challenges were numerous. Skeptics pointed to the economic failures of the Concorde, environmental concerns, and the massive capital required to develop a new aircraft. However, Scholl and his team approached these challenges with a fresh perspective, leveraging advancements in materials science, aerodynamics, and engine technology to address the shortcomings of previous supersonic aircraft.
One of the biggest hurdles was funding. Recognizing that traditional aerospace investors might be hesitant, Scholl turned to an unconventional source: Y Combinator. Despite initial doubts about how a startup accelerator known for software companies could help an aerospace venture, Scholl decided to apply.
This decision proved pivotal. Y Combinator not only provided initial funding but also crucial advice. "YC turned out to be one of the best things I've ever done. Boom would probably not be here today if it weren't for YC," Scholl acknowledged.
The Fundraising Journey
Boom's fundraising story is as innovative as its technology. The company's first funding came from Scholl's own pocket, using money he had made from selling Kima Labs. This personal investment demonstrated Scholl's commitment and helped attract initial talent.
Following Y Combinator in early 2016, Boom secured a series of significant investments:
- March 2017: $33 million from venture funds including Continuity Fund, RRE Ventures, and Palm Drive Ventures
- December 2017: $10 million from Japan Airlines, bringing total capital to $51 million
- January 2019: An additional $100 million, raising the total to $151 million
By 2023, Boom had raised a total of $700 million in funding, attracting investment from major airlines including Japan Airlines, United Airlines, and American Airlines.
Scholl's approach to fundraising was unconventional for the aerospace industry. He leveraged his tech background and Silicon Valley connections to attract investors who were excited by the potential for disruption in air travel.
Defining Moments
Breaking the Sound Barrier: January 28, 2025
On this historic day, Boom's XB-1 demonstrator aircraft, nicknamed "Baby Boom," took off from the Mojave Air and Space Port in California. Piloted by Boom's Chief Test Pilot, Tristan "Geppetto" Brandenburg, the XB-1 reached an altitude of 35,290 feet before accelerating to Mach 1.122 (652 KTAS or 750 mph).
This flight marked the first time an independently developed supersonic jet broke the sound barrier, a feat previously achieved only by government-backed projects. The success validated Boom's technology and approach, silencing many skeptics and opening doors for further development and investment.
United Airlines Order: June 3, 2021
In a major vote of confidence, United Airlines announced a commercial agreement with Boom Supersonic to purchase 15 Overture airliners, with an option for 35 more. This deal, potentially worth up to $3 billion, signaled serious industry interest in Boom's vision and technology.
Engine Partnership Announcement: December 13, 2022
After facing challenges in securing an engine supplier, Boom announced a partnership with Florida Turbine Technologies, GE Additive, and StandardAero to develop a custom engine for the Overture airliner. This collaboration addressed one of the most significant technical hurdles in Boom's development process.
Innovation Philosophy
Scholl's approach to innovation is rooted in a combination of audacious goal-setting and pragmatic problem-solving. He often emphasizes the importance of tackling big, seemingly impossible challenges:
"Finding an idea that is big for me was the most important thing. I got lucky in that what I found exciting and inspiring, I was able to get other people to find exciting and inspiring. I don't think that's an accident because passion's contagious."
On product development, Scholl advocates for a first-principles approach:
"We've been able to take a fresh look at supersonic, starting from a clean sheet of paper, and ask 'What's possible with today's technology?'"
Regarding team building, Scholl focuses on assembling diverse expertise:
"We've brought together a team of experts in aerodynamics, carbon fiber composites, propulsion, and other key technologies to design an aircraft that's not only supersonic but also safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible."
Industry Impact
Boom Supersonic's emergence has reignited interest in high-speed air travel across the aviation industry. Before Boom, supersonic commercial flight was considered a closed chapter in aviation history. Now, it's seen as the future of long-haul travel.
Market statistics show a growing demand for faster travel options, with airlines and passengers expressing interest in routes that could be dramatically shortened by supersonic flight. Boom's success has also spurred competitors to invest in their own high-speed aircraft projects, creating a new race for supersonic dominance.
Environmentally, Boom has set new standards for sustainable supersonic travel. The company has committed to net-zero carbon emissions and is exploring the use of sustainable aviation fuels, challenging the notion that high-speed travel must come at a high environmental cost.
Legacy and Future Vision
Blake Scholl's journey with Boom Supersonic represents more than just the development of a faster airplane; it's about reshaping global connectivity. His vision extends beyond the immediate goal of supersonic flight to a future where distance is no longer a barrier to human interaction and commerce.
"Our ultimate goal is to bring the benefits of supersonic flight to everyone," Scholl states. "We're not just building an airplane; we're creating a future where you can have breakfast in New York, lunch in London, and be back home for dinner."
As Boom continues to progress towards the commercial launch of Overture, Scholl remains focused on overcoming the remaining technical and regulatory challenges. He envisions a network of supersonic routes connecting major cities worldwide, fundamentally altering our perception of distance and time.
Closing Thoughts
Blake Scholl's journey from software engineer to supersonic pioneer embodies the spirit of modern entrepreneurship. His story demonstrates that with vision, persistence, and the right team, it's possible to revive and revolutionize even the most challenging industries.
Scholl's approach to innovation - combining audacious goals with meticulous execution - offers valuable lessons for entrepreneurs in any field. His success in attracting investment and support for such an ambitious project underscores the power of a compelling vision and the importance of timing in technological innovation.
As Boom Supersonic moves closer to realizing its vision of accessible supersonic travel, Scholl's legacy is already taking shape. He has not only revived interest in supersonic flight but has also challenged the aerospace industry to think bigger and move faster. In Scholl's own words, "The future of high-speed travel is not just about going faster; it's about bringing the world closer together." This philosophy, more than any technological achievement, may be his most enduring contribution to the world of innovation and entrepreneurship.
References
- https://boomsupersonic.com/team-members/blake-scholl
- https://builders.genagorlin.com/p/blake-scholl-is-re-inventing-air
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boom_Technology
- https://www.ycombinator.com/blog/founder-stories-blake-scholl-of-boom-technology
- https://research.contrary.com/company/boom-supersonic
- https://stratechery.com/2023/an-interview-with-boom-founder-blake-scholl-about-building-a-supersonic-airliner/
- https://boomsupersonic.com/flyby/boom-achieves-supersonic-flight
- https://snap.berkeley.edu/project/11166188
- https://www.flyingmag.com/modern/boom-goes-supersonic-makes-civil-aviation-history/
- ftp://ftp.cs.princeton.edu/pub/cs226/autocomplete/words-333333.txt