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Key people at BoomStartup.
BoomStartup was founded in 2010 by Robb Kunz (Founder & CEO) and John Richards (Co-Founder & Co-Managing Partner).
BoomStartup is a technology-driven seed accelerator based in Salt Lake City, Utah, that helps early-stage software, web, and mobile startups develop business models and secure capital. The organization operates a cloud-based platform providing mentorship and resources in exchange for a six percent equity stake in common stock. Operating with fewer than 25 employees and generating approximately $5 million in revenue, the accelerator has shepherded over 170 companies through its program. Graduates of the program have raised more than $55 million in total seed capital, with 72 percent of participating startups successfully securing funding rounds between $500,000 and $1.5 million. Participating founders receive guidance from a network of industry mentors associated with recognizable technology and consumer brands, including Omniture, Cisco, Skullcandy, and Altiris. BoomStartup was founded in 2010 by a former InfoSpace executive named John.
Key people at BoomStartup.
BoomStartup is a prominent U.S.-based startup accelerator headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, specializing in seed-stage technology companies, particularly SaaS, mobile, and web-based businesses with strong product-market fit.[1][2] Its mission centers on providing funding, mentorship, resources, and a technology-driven platform to help early-stage entrepreneurs scale, having supported over 170 companies since inception, with 72% securing funding between $500K and $1.5M, and alumni raising more than $55M in seed capital.[2][3] The investment philosophy emphasizes mentorship-driven acceleration, long-term value creation, and connections to investors, mentors, and service providers via a cloud-based interface, fostering explosive growth through lean startup methodologies.[1][3]
BoomStartup has significantly impacted the startup ecosystem by operating as a virtual accelerator with deep Utah roots, delivering customized plans, and achieving 8 successful exits from 86-102 investments.[3][4] It was part of the TechStars network and focused on sectors like tech-driven innovations, though its influence expanded through acquisition by Assure, enhancing private investment lifecycle services.[2][4]
Founded in 2010 (with some sources noting 2011), BoomStartup launched on May 17, 2010, in Salt Lake City as a mentorship-driven program modeled after Y Combinator and TechStars, co-founded by John Pestana, a serial entrepreneur with experience at InfoSpace (which reached multi-billion-dollar NASDAQ valuation) and in publishing.[1][2][6] The idea emerged from recognizing the need for filtered, high-quality startup ideas paired with strong business/tech leadership, minimum equity capital, and in-kind support like free rent.[6]
Early traction was immediate: On launch day, mentor John Pestana (Omniture co-founder) facilitated a domain acquisition deal for participant Voycit (rebranded iCount), sparking rapid buzz.[6] The first Demo Day in September 2010 in Park City drew 200 investors, leading to at least 7 of 10 companies negotiating term sheets.[6] By 2013, it established BoomStartup Ventures as its VC arm.[7] A pivotal moment came with its acquisition by Assure, integrating its SaaS platform, 4,000-entrepreneur database, and 400 investors/mentors into a full venture lifecycle solution for founders, investors, and deal organizers.[2][3][4]
BoomStartup rides the trend of mentorship-driven seed acceleration, popularized by Y Combinator and TechStars, by filtering ideas for strong teams and product-market fit in high-growth tech sectors like SaaS and mobile.[4][6] Its timing capitalized on post-2010 Utah's emerging "Silicon Slopes" ecosystem, leveraging local talent, partners, and investors for efficient scaling amid rising demand for virtual, tech-enabled programs during remote work shifts.[1][3]
Market forces favoring it include the explosion of early-stage funding needs, with accelerators bridging gaps in capital access; its 72% funding success rate outperforms many peers, influencing ecosystems by unlocking $55M+ for startups and enabling exits.[2][3] Post-Assure acquisition, it shapes private markets by digitizing deal flow from idea to exit, connecting 4,000 entrepreneurs to investors and providing lifecycle services, thus democratizing venture support and boosting Utah's tech hub status.[2][4]
BoomStartup's acquisition by Assure positions it for expanded scale, leveraging integrated platforms to serve more startups with affordable back-office and private market solutions amid growing seed funding competition.[2][4] Trends like AI-driven acceleration, virtual mentorship, and private market digitization will shape its path, potentially increasing portfolio funding and exits as Utah's ecosystem matures.[3]
Its influence may evolve from regional accelerator to national lifecycle enabler, unlocking greater capital via Assure's network and maintaining mentorship as the core edge that propelled its early successes.[2][6] This ties back to its origins: connecting exceptional entrepreneurs with the right resources remains the formula for sustained impact in tech acceleration.
BoomStartup was founded in 2010 by Robb Kunz (Founder & CEO) and John Richards (Co-Founder & Co-Managing Partner).
