The insane story of Blake Scholl: the high school dropout who’s building supersonic jets

Who is Blake Scholl?

Blake Scholl is a visionary entrepreneur known for his audacious ambition to revolutionize air travel.

Educated at Carnegie Mellon University, he overcame the obstacle of being a high school dropout by leveraging a special program for non-traditional students.

His early career included stints at Amazon and Groupon, where he honed his skills and developed a passion for entrepreneurship.

Driven by his lifelong fascination with flight, Scholl embarked on a bold journey to reintroduce supersonic travel to the world.

What is Boom Supersonic?

Boom Supersonic is at the forefront of a new era in aviation.

Its ambitious goal is to make supersonic travel accessible and efficient once more.

The company aims to revive this form of travel with the following objectives:

• Faster Travel: Reduce time spent in the air by flying at supersonic speeds, drastically cutting down long-distance travel time.

• Sustainability: Prioritize environmental responsibility by focusing on sustainable aviation practices.

• Technological Innovation: Utilize advanced technology to ensure safety and performance, which is crucial for supersonic passenger jets.

• Economic Viability: Strive to offer competitive pricing for a broader market reach.

Through these initiatives, Boom Supersonic not only envisions restoring the convenience and allure of supersonic travel innovation but also doing so in a way that aligns with modern priorities and technological capabilities.

How did Blake Scholl secure funding?

Raising capital for Boom Supersonic's ambitious vision required ingenuity and persistence. Blake Scholl took a strategic approach to secure funding, starting with his demonstration at Y Combinator (YC). He knew that showcasing tangible progress was crucial.

To captivate investors, Scholl prepared an impressive pitch by focusing on potential sales. He garnered support from Virgin Galactic with a letter of intent, which allowed him to announce pre-orders worth billions at Demo Day. This move left a lasting impression on investors.

His direct approach with Richard Branson exemplified high agency. Instead of asking for funding, he proposed a compelling question—whether Branson wanted a Virgin logo on the first supersonic jets. This strategic ask was not about money but about partnership and shared vision. It was key to building credibility and capturing investor interest.

Through a combination of strategic positioning, compelling pitches, and high agency, Scholl effectively brought influential partners on board to fund Boom Supersonic's groundbreaking endeavors.

What challenges did Blake Scholl face?

1. Skepticism from Investors: Initial investors were wary of investing in an audacious project like building supersonic jets, given the vast resources and time required. Scholl overcame this by securing a letter of intent from Virgin Galactic, creating an enticing story of potential success.

2. Technical Barriers: The engineering challenge of developing a supersonic jet that was safe, efficient, and economically viable was immense. Blake navigated these challenges by recruiting top talent, including former chief engineers from leading aerospace companies. This approach ensured expertise was driving innovation.

3. Financial Constraints: Financing such a capital-intensive project was a significant hurdle. By demonstrating high agency and leveraging strategic relationships, such as the one with Richard Branson and Virgin, Blake attracted pivotal support and funding.

Through resilience and strategic moves, Blake addressed these challenges head-on, establishing Boom Supersonic as a leader in supersonic travel innovation.

What is high agency and how did it play a role?

High agency is a term used to describe an individual's ability to take responsibility, find solutions, and act decisively despite obstacles. It's about seeing problems as opportunities and relentlessly pursuing goals.

In Blake Scholl's entrepreneurial journey, high agency was evident from the very start.

When faced with skepticism, he didn't falter. Instead, Blake secured a letter of intent from Virgin Galactic, showcasing his ability to create compelling narratives that captivated investors. This strategic move exemplified his knack for turning potential setbacks into successes.

Despite financial constraints, he leveraged strategic relationships and demonstrated resilience, addressing technical barriers by recruiting top aerospace talent.

Blake’s journey with Boom Supersonic offers a masterclass in high agency, setting a precedent in the realm of supersonic travel innovation. His story illustrates how high agency can propel visionary ideas into tangible achievements.