Blaine Vess

Blaine Vess Email and Phone Number

Bootstrapped to a $60M exit. Built and sold a YC-backed startup too. Investor in 50+ companies. Helping founders build and exit on their terms. @ Immeasurable
Blaine Vess's Location
Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, United States, United States
Blaine Vess's Contact Details

Blaine Vess personal email

n/a
About Blaine Vess

Struggling to scale your startup without external funding?Feeling stuck trying to grow your business on your own?Unsure how to navigate the challenges of bootstrapped entrepreneurship?I get it—I’ve been there.Building a business without external capital is tough, but it’s also empowering. You learn quickly what works, what doesn’t, and how to make every decision count.In 1999, I co-founded Student Brands. With no outside funding, we scaled it from an idea to a highly profitable company that Barnes & Noble Education (NYSE:BNED) acquired for $58.5 million in 2017.But that was just the start of my entrepreneurial journey.I also co-founded Solve, which was part of Y Combinator’s S17 batch—an experience that gave me unique insight into scaling a company through one of the world’s most rigorous startup accelerators. Along the way, I’ve acquired over 10 companies, created TV shows, and invested in films that spotlight issues close to my heart, including those focused on North Korea.Here’s how I can help you:✓ Bootstrapped Startup Strategy and Guidance✓ Scaling Products Without External Funding✓ Mergers and Acquisitions✓ Investment / Funding for For-Profit & Non-Profit Ventures✓ Mentorship & Coaching for FoundersFor more than two decades, I’ve dedicated myself to building businesses, mentoring founders, and investing in impactful ventures. I know what it takes to create something meaningful and sustainable while staying true to your vision.Entrepreneurship, for me, is about more than just profit—it’s about creating something with purpose.If you’re ready to launch your first product, scale your business, or navigate the complexities of growth without giving away equity, I’d love to help.Let’s connect.Send me a DM with “Startup,” and let’s talk about how I can help you reach your goals.

Blaine Vess's Current Company Details
Immeasurable

Immeasurable

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Bootstrapped to a $60M exit. Built and sold a YC-backed startup too. Investor in 50+ companies. Helping founders build and exit on their terms.
Blaine Vess Work Experience Details
  • Immeasurable
    Founder
    Immeasurable Sep 2011 - Present
    West Hollywood, California, Us
    I lead Immeasurable, a family office investing in startups and venture capital funds across the US, Latin America, Southeast Asia, and China.Our notable early-stage startup investments include Human Interest, Albedo, Turion Space, clicOH, and Fathom Video.
  • Freedom Fighter Films
    Founder
    Freedom Fighter Films Jun 2012 - Present
    With a deep passion for storytelling that drives social change, I founded Freedom Fighter Films to amplify critical global issues—particularly the fight for North Korean freedom and human rights.Our work focuses on elevating stories that inspire action and give voice to the voiceless. From “Beyond Utopia” (Sundance 2023), capturing daring escapes from North Korea, to “Assassins” (Sundance 2020), exposing political intrigue and human rights abuses, and “I Am Sun Mu” (Netflix), chronicling a North Korean artist’s defiance, our films shine a light on the fight for freedom in one of the world’s most closed-off nations.In addition to films, I’ve also co-created “I’m Married to a…”, a VH1 series exploring unconventional relationships, and supported films that explore unique perspectives and societal challenges, including “Ms. Purple” (Sundance 2019), “Gook” (Sundance 2017), and “Where’s My Roy Cohn?” (Sundance 2019). Each project challenges audiences to think critically and empathetically about the world around them while sparking meaningful conversations about human rights and social justice.
  • Solve (Yc S17) (Acquired By Blacklane)
    Co-Founder & Ceo
    Solve (Yc S17) (Acquired By Blacklane) Jun 2016 - Oct 2017
    Las Vegas, Nevada, Us
    My co-founders and I launched Solve to help travelers get through immigration and customs more quickly when traveling internationally.We were a part of Y Combinator’s Summer 2017 batch and the company was ultimately acquired by Blacklane, where Solve became Blacklane PASS.Solve taught me valuable lessons about the unique challenges of running a business that blended technology with operational logistics. It was a crash course in scaling a solution that wasn’t just software—it required seamless coordination between people, processes, and technology to deliver a truly impactful customer experience.
  • Student Brands (Barnes & Noble Education)
    Co-Founder & Chairman
    Student Brands (Barnes & Noble Education) Dec 2015 - Aug 2017
    Redwood City, Ca, Us
    I co-founded what's now known as Student Brands as a college freshman in 1999. We never raised any funding and Barnes and Noble Education (NYSE:BNED) acquired the company for $58.5 million in August 2017. The company generated over $100M in highly-profitable revenue during my tenure.My co-founders and I initially ran the business from our dorm room, and then our house. We learned PHP and coded everything ourselves for the first eight years of the company’s existence. In 2007, we crossed $1 million in revenue, with over 90% net margins, as two guys working out of a house. The next year we crossed $3 million and the next year we crossed $5 million, and it kept growing from there. We had no formal team other than three overseas web developers from about 2007 to 2011. In 2011, we decided to go bigger with the business, so we opened an office and started building a team.By 2014, we had a team of about thirty people in Los Angeles and our websites and apps were reaching over 2 million daily active users. In addition to serving the English-speaking world, we launched popular websites in Brazil (TrabalhosFeiots.com), France (Etuider.com), and the Spanish-speaking world (BuenasTareas.com). We also acquired over ten competitors and adjacent businesses.In early 2015, I hired a President for the company and transitioned him to CEO by the end of the year as I stepped into the role of Chairman. During that time, we expanded globally, launching an office in Bangalore, India, and building a team of around 40 talented people to support our growth.About two years later, we were acquired by Barnes and Noble Education. The websites and apps we created continue to reach millions of students around the world.
  • Student Brands (Barnes & Noble Education)
    Co-Founder & Ceo
    Student Brands (Barnes & Noble Education) Oct 1999 - Dec 2015
    Redwood City, Ca, Us
  • New Line Cinema
    New Media Marketing Consultant
    New Line Cinema Jan 2005 - Aug 2008
    Burbank, California, Us
    I served as a full-time consultant to the EVP of Marketing at New Line Cinema, where I contributed to viral marketing campaigns for films like “Wedding Crashers” and “Snakes on a Plane.”I developed internal web applications to streamline marketing operations, managed external vendors, and collaborated with teams to execute innovative campaigns that shaped early online film marketing.
  • Technotribe Communications
    Web Developer
    Technotribe Communications Sep 1997 - Jun 2005
    West Dundee, Il, Us
    I began working as an IT consultant for one of Technotribe’s corporate clients when I was just 16 years old.Over time, I taught myself to code and became a web developer specializing in PHP/MySQL. I focused on creating custom web applications to improve our clients’ operations and enhance their online presence. I was part of a fully remote team.From websites to e-commerce platforms, I focused on building user-friendly, scalable solutions tailored to each client’s needs. This experience sharpened my technical skills, taught me how to solve complex problems, and emphasized the importance of collaboration across teams to deliver impactful results.My time at Technotribe was a formative period that shaped my approach to building companies.

Blaine Vess Skills

Web Development Seo Management Television Entrepreneurship Marketing E Commerce Start Ups Online Marketing Web Marketing Social Media Digital Strategy Online Advertising New Media Web Applications Digital Media Strategic Partnerships Film User Experience Entertainment Mobile Marketing Viral Marketing Outsourcing Film Production Content Strategy Video Production Video Search Engine Optimization Producing

Blaine Vess Education Details

  • Y Combinator
    Y Combinator
  • Kauffman Fellows, Class 25
    Kauffman Fellows, Class 25
  • Hudson Institute
    Hudson Institute
    Hudson Coach Certification
  • Modern Elder Academy
    Modern Elder Academy
    The Making Of A Modern Elder
  • San José State University
    San José State University
    Marketing

Frequently Asked Questions about Blaine Vess

What company does Blaine Vess work for?

Blaine Vess works for Immeasurable

What is Blaine Vess's role at the current company?

Blaine Vess's current role is Bootstrapped to a $60M exit. Built and sold a YC-backed startup too. Investor in 50+ companies. Helping founders build and exit on their terms..

What is Blaine Vess's email address?

Blaine Vess's email address is bl****@****ess.com

What is Blaine Vess's direct phone number?

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What schools did Blaine Vess attend?

Blaine Vess attended Y Combinator, Kauffman Fellows, Class 25, Hudson Institute, Modern Elder Academy, San José State University.

What are some of Blaine Vess's interests?

Blaine Vess has interest in Social Games, Mobile, Social Commerce, Transportation, Education, Entertainment, New Line Cinema, Consumer Internet, Human Rights, Animal Welfare.

What skills is Blaine Vess known for?

Blaine Vess has skills like Web Development, Seo, Management, Television, Entrepreneurship, Marketing, E Commerce, Start Ups, Online Marketing, Web Marketing, Social Media, Digital Strategy.

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