Behind the Code: A Startup Story of Grit, AI, and Coffee
By Kraig Kleeman
Introduction
In the dynamic world of technology startups, the founding and scaling of a company embodies a narrative unique to its mission and solutions. My role as the founder and CEO of Bloomfilter has been a symbolic journey through creativity, resilience, and innovation. This story, rooted in the challenges and triumphs of our startup, aims to illuminate the path for entrepreneurs, showcasing the potential within the unpredictable voyage of building a tech company.
Where It All Began
So, where did this adventure start? Not with a sudden bolt of inspiration, but more like a puzzle coming together piece by piece. My fascination with artificial intelligence wasn’t new, but the idea of Bloomfilter? That grew from seeing the gap between potential and reality in AI applications. The early days? Oh boy, they were a mixed bag. Imagine trying to convince people that your vision is worth their time and money, all while building a team on the same wavelength. Talk about a challenge!
Learning the Ropes
Now, I won’t sugarcoat it—the path was anything but straight. We stumbled, picked ourselves back up, and learned about humility and persistence. Every setback was a lesson in disguise. And you know what? Those very challenges kept us honest, made us rethink our strategies, and, ultimately, pushed us forward. We made it a point to listen—to listen—to what users had to say. That feedback loop? Gold. It helped us tweak and refine our AI tools until they weren’t just good; they were exactly what our customers needed.
The Breakthrough
I still remember the day we cracked our proprietary AI algorithm. One of those eureka moments felt like a mix of sheer joy and utter relief. This wasn’t just about beating the competition; it was about proving to ourselves that we could make a dent in the universe with our tech. That breakthrough was a game-changer, a testament to the creativity and grit of our team.
The Resilience Factor
Let’s talk about resilience for a second. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, the startup life is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration (and a fair bit of desperation). There were days when the dream seemed too far-fetched when the obstacles appeared too daunting. But here’s the thing about hitting rock bottom: you’ve got a solid foundation to build on. And build we did, with every ounce of passion and determination.
From Me to You: A Word of Advice
To anyone considering starting their venture, here’s my two cents: brace yourself for a wild ride. There will be highs, lows, and probably more of the latter at the beginning. But remember, it’s the journey that shapes you, not just the destination. Stay true to your values, be ready to pivot when necessary, and never underestimate the power of a great team.
Looking Forward
As for Bloomfilter, we’re nowhere near done. We’re on a mission to push the boundaries of AI, to make it ethical, accessible, and, above all, impactful. The future is filled with possibilities, and we’re just starting.
So, there you have it—the unfiltered version of our startup saga. It’s been quite the ride, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. To all the dreamers and doers, keep pushing, keep dreaming, and never stop believing in the impossible. Who knows? The next cup of coffee might be the one where you sketch out your future. Cheers to that!
About Erik Severinghaus
Erik Severinghaus is a highly successful entrepreneur, author, and mountaineer. If his accomplishments and aspirations were to draw inspiration from natural icons, he could be described as a fusion of Mark Zuckerberg’s visionary approach to business and Tony Stark’s electrifying approach to saving humanity. He possesses keen business acumen and a flair for captivating customers, investors, and marketing partners.
Erik’s entrepreneurial spirit is boundless, as evidenced by his track record of founding, operating and exiting multiple ventures that have created a combined $600M in value. Erik’s investment skills are striking. He was a founding investor in Hyde Park Angels which recently helped ShipBob achieve unicorn status. He raised $6M startup capital for his newest venture, Bloomfilter, which is growing by triple digits, quarter over quarter.
As an endurance athlete, Erik has conquered some of the world’s tallest peaks, including Mt. Everest in 2018. In his public appearances, Erik is quick to discuss that learning to navigate through the valleys in his business life is what has led him to properly navigate the victories.