The future of commerce belongs to bold founders—not just to big corporations with massive budgets. Recognizing this shift, Bolt has introduced Bolt Activate, a founder-first initiative designed to help entrepreneurs accelerate growth, streamline operations, and build iconic brands in today’s competitive digital landscape.
“The future of commerce won’t be written by the biggest companies with the deepest pockets. It will be built by independent founders who move fast, know their customers, and aren’t afraid to challenge the old playbook,” said Ryan Breslow, Founder and CEO of Bolt. “With Bolt Activate, we’re giving those builders the foundation to scale—enterprise-grade infrastructure, real community, and the freedom to focus on what matters most: creating. Our mission is simple: to ensure the next generation of iconic brands doesn’t just survive, but thrives.”
Designed for the Next Wave of Innovators
Bolt Activate is tailored for founders shaping the future of online commerce—particularly in DTC, gaming, fintech, consumer health, and creator-led businesses. The program also supports retail-first brands expanding into e-commerce. Participants gain access to Bolt’s one-click checkout and comprehensive product suite, along with a curated global founder network that provides insights, mentorship, and peer-to-peer support.
Faster Launch, Smarter Scaling
Unlike traditional accelerators, Bolt Activate moves at the founder’s pace. Most startups onboard and launch within two to six weeks. Beyond launch, they remain plugged into Bolt’s partner ecosystem, growth tools, and leadership resources to continue scaling effectively.
Meeting the Rise in Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is booming. From 2021 to 2023, U.S. founders filed more than 5.2 million likely employer business applications—a 33% jump compared to pre-pandemic levels. Startups are now forming in over 80% of U.S. counties, with individuals driving much of this growth. Many of these founders have innovative products and early traction but lack the resources or bandwidth to manage a fragmented tech stack.
Bolt Activate levels the playing field by offering these entrepreneurs enterprise-grade solutions without the complexity or cost.
Building Community and Visibility
A key highlight of the program is the Bolt Activate Community. This network connects founders directly, enabling them to exchange learnings, access expert sessions with investors and product specialists, and tap into DTC partnerships. Bolt also plans offline gatherings and co-marketing opportunities, helping founders boost brand visibility within Bolt’s ecosystem of investors, customers, and engineers.
For more details or to apply for Bolt Activate, visit bolt.com/activate.
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