Breaking the Sound Barrier with Blake Scholl from Boom Supersonic | E2186
Timestamps are as accurate as they can be but may be slightly off. We encourage you to listen to the full context.
Podcast Summary
This podcast episode features three startup founder interviews hosted by Alex Wilhelm. First, Blake Scholl, CEO of Boom Supersonic, discusses their breakthrough in achieving boomless supersonic flight using ray-tracing technology and software algorithms. (03:42) Boom's XB-1 demonstrator aircraft successfully broke the sound barrier six times without producing sonic booms, paving the way for their commercial Overture jet expected in 2029. Next, Mircha from Confie presents their AI-powered event networking platform that helps attendees find relevant connections at conferences and business events. (27:21) Finally, Bijan from TheDrive AI pitches their agentic file management workspace that allows users to perform complex file operations using natural language commands. (47:12)
- Main themes include breakthrough aerospace technology, AI-powered networking solutions, and intelligent file management systems for enterprise users
Speakers
Blake Scholl
Founder and CEO of Boom Supersonic, Blake has been working for over a decade to bring supersonic passenger flight back to commercial aviation. He has led the company through the successful development and testing of the XB-1 demonstrator aircraft, which became the first privately developed aircraft to break the sound barrier.
Mircha
Founder of Confie, a Techstars-backed company focused on AI-powered event networking. Mircha has deep domain authority in event software, having delivered paid solutions to over 100 companies and driving consistent 227% month-over-month growth.
Bijan
Founder of TheDrive AI, Bijan previously built a superhuman-level Chinese Checkers AlphaZero agent and has extensive AI and reinforcement learning research experience. He scaled TheDrive AI from a note-taking app to 20,000 users over 16 months.
Key Takeaways
Speed Creates New Markets, Not Just Time Savings
Blake Scholl emphasized that speed innovations are platform innovations that grow the total addressable market rather than simply saving time. (07:19) He explained that "most trips on jets are trips that would not have been taken, period, on slower airplanes." This principle applies beyond aviation - Uber rides weren't just faster taxi rides, they were entirely new trips that wouldn't have happened otherwise. For professionals, this means looking for innovations that don't just make existing processes faster, but that enable entirely new behaviors and opportunities.
Complex Problems Often Have Simple Software Solutions
Boom's breakthrough in solving sonic boom wasn't through exotic aircraft shapes but through software algorithms using ray tracing. (12:06) Scholl revealed they could "create an iPhone app that you can give to a fighter pilot that would enable them to fly their fighter jet in a boomless fashion." This demonstrates that perceived hard problems might have elegant software solutions when approached differently. The lesson for professionals is to question assumptions about what makes problems difficult and consider whether software can replace hardware complexity.
Show Product Value Through Real User Stories
During the pitch reviews, Alex consistently emphasized the importance of showing rather than telling, particularly with real customer testimonials. For Confie's pitch, he noted the power of having actual users like Ken from Edmonton Unlimited demonstrate the problem and solution. (52:09) This approach builds credibility far better than theoretical examples. Professionals should document real user experiences and pain points to create compelling narratives about their solutions.
Focus on Core Metrics That Matter to Stakeholders
Alex advised TheDrive AI to focus on meaningful metrics rather than vanity numbers. (55:49) Instead of emphasizing 20,000 total users and letters of intent, he suggested highlighting the 1,000 daily active users and 13 paying customers. This demonstrates that different audiences care about different metrics - what impresses one group might actually hurt credibility with another. Understanding your audience's priorities and speaking their language is crucial for effective communication.
Vertical Integration Accelerates Innovation Cycles
Boom's strategy of building their own engines and using in-house manufacturing significantly reduces iteration time. (24:06) Scholl explained their "slacker index" - how long it takes to get something divided by how long it takes to make it. By bringing manufacturing in-house, they can print turbine blades in 24 hours instead of waiting six months from suppliers. This principle applies beyond manufacturing - reducing dependencies and controlling critical components of your value chain can dramatically accelerate your ability to iterate and improve.
Statistics & Facts
- Boom Supersonic's XB-1 demonstrator aircraft broke the sound barrier six times during testing, with microphones confirming zero sonic booms were produced during these flights. (10:15)
- Confie has achieved 227% month-over-month growth and maintains a 24% cold email conversion rate, adding 36,000 new attendees in just four months. (27:07)
- TheDrive AI discovered that one in three user queries are actionable requests, meaning users naturally expect the system to perform tasks rather than just provide information. (49:09)
