Company case study · 2 podcast episodes
Boom Supersonic
Boom Supersonic: Founded by Blake Scholl, Boom Supersonic is a company dedicated to building commercial supersonic jets that can drastically reduce flight times, allowing passengers to travel from New York to London in just over three hours. It came up on 2 podcast episodes (My First Million) between February 11, 2025 and May 7, 2025.
At a glance
| Discussed on | 2 episodes: My First Million |
|---|---|
| First and latest | February 11, 2025 to May 7, 2025 |
| Revenue and traction | Boom has raised $700 million in funding to develop its supersonic jet technology. |
| Category | Physical-Services |
Figures and claims are as told on the episodes, summarized from the transcript. Check the date: they describe the company at the time it aired.
What My First Million said
I dropped out of high school…Now I’m building the SpaceX of airplanes · aired May 7, 2025 · hosted by Sam Parr and Shaan Puri
Why it works
The concept addresses a significant unmet demand for faster air travel, particularly in long-haul flights, and leverages advancements in aerospace technology to improve fuel efficiency compared to previous supersonic jets like Concorde.
Revenue and traction
Boom has raised $700 million in funding to develop its supersonic jet technology.
Founding story
The founder, who had a background in e-commerce and mobile apps, was inspired by a passion for aviation and a desire to innovate in the aerospace sector after reflecting on the lack of advancements in supersonic flight.
The playbook
The company emphasizes first principles thinking, breaking down complex problems into fundamental truths to innovate effectively. They focus on attracting a talented team and creating a compelling narrative around their mission.
Also mentioned
Boom aims to make supersonic travel accessible to a broader market, starting with business class passengers and eventually targeting economy class.
What My First Million said
The insane story of Blake Scholl: the high school dropout who’s building supersonic jets · aired February 11, 2025 · hosted by Sam Parr and Shaan Puri
Why it works
Boom Supersonic capitalizes on advancements in technology and engineering to address the issues that plagued the Concorde, such as noise, safety, and cost. They are strategically positioned in a market with a demand for faster travel and have secured early interest from significant players in the aviation industry.
Revenue and traction
As of a recent demo day pitch at Y Combinator in 2016, Boom Supersonic had secured $5 billion in pre-orders, mainly from Virgin, thanks to letters of intent (LOIs) for future aircraft.
Founding story
Blake Scholl dropped out of high school but later found his passion for science and engineering. He went on to Carnegie Mellon and worked at Amazon, where he learned how to scale a business. After his stint at Groupon, he realized his long-time dream of creating a supersonic jet and began researching the feasibility of the project, leading to the inception of Boom Supersonic.
The playbook
1. Identify a bold vision: Start by brainstorming ambitious ideas that excite you; for Blake, it was creating a supersonic jet. 2. Conduct thorough research: Assess the market, existing solutions, and technological advancements that can support your vision. 3. Build a prototype or model: Create a visual representation of your idea to sell the dream. Blake made a model airplane to attract interest. 4. Network strategically: Engage with industry leaders and potential partners. Blake leveraged connections to gain interest from Richard Branson and Virgin. 5. Seek early investment: Present your idea and prototype to investors, demonstrating the potential and securing letters of intent to show traction, just as Blake did at Y Combinator.
Also mentioned
Boom Supersonic utilized Y Combinator's accelerator program to gain exposure and credibility. They focused on building an impressive sales pipeline, gathering LOIs from major airlines, and showcasing their engineering capabilities to attract talent and investment. Overcoming skepticism and educating stakeholders about the feasibility of supersonic travel was crucial in their journey.