Highlights from Interview with Justin Kosmides: Cofounder of Bloom Industrial

This summer, I had the opportunity to interview Justin Kosmides, co-founder of Bloom Industrial, a mobility and hardware company dedicated to streamlining supply chain operations. Bloom connects contract manufacturers, warehousing, and after-sales support, catering to clients from emerging e-bike companies to major companies in the biking industry worldwide.

Justin and his partner, Chris, co-founded Bloom as their second venture together. Their goal was to create a comprehensive platform, and they approached the process with a lean mindset, needing minimal venture capital in the beginning.

To test the market, they turned to strategic investors from their existing networks rather than raising a large amount of capital upfront. Relocating from NYC to Detroit, they aimed to connect with industry-focused investors and raised their funding within 30 days. Both Justin and Chris applied insights gained from operating their first company, Vela, using that experience to inform Bloom’s launch and early development.

Justin emphasized the importance of product and execution but also noted that assembling the right team is among the most crucial responsibilities for a founder. Finding team members with the right skills and fit was challenging; Justin conducted hundreds of interviews to find the ideal candidate for certain key positions.

When asked about the name “Bloom,” Justin explained that Chris came up with it. The name reflects the company’s goal of creating a platform where hardware companies can “bloom” or flourish. Their slogan, “Together We Bloom,” highlights their collaborative mission of helping other companies grow through their network.

Justin also highlighted the critical role of timing in a company’s success, acknowledging that while strong products, execution, and a skilled team are vital, timing is often influenced by external factors—and sometimes, luck. In Bloom’s case, the timing was advantageous, as COVID-19 prompted a shift toward onshore manufacturing, with companies looking to build products closer to consumers. This shift aligned well with Bloom’s offerings, further accelerating their growth.

For those considering entrepreneurship, Justin’s advice is that building a company can be incredibly demanding and stressful, with numerous responsibilities pulling founders in different directions. However, he noted that there is great satisfaction in seeing your efforts pay off. Success takes patience, but with time, a company can truly thrive.

Thank you Justin for your time!