Austen Allred

Austen Allred is widely recognized as the co-founder and CEO of Lambda School, which later rebranded as BloomTech, an innovative online coding bootcamp that pioneered income share agreements (ISAs). Beyond his leadership in the ed-tech space, Allred has established himself as an active and influential angel investor, primarily focusing on early-stage technology startups. His investment thesis often aligns with his entrepreneurial journey, showing a keen interest in companies that address the future of work, education, developer tools, and fintech. He leverages his deep operational experience to identify and support promising founders.

As an angel investor, Allred typically targets seed-stage companies, providing crucial capital and strategic guidance during their foundational phases. He publicly shared his investment preferences, indicating a typical check size ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 per company. This range positions him as a significant early-stage supporter, capable of making a meaningful difference to nascent startups seeking initial funding. His portfolio reflects a diverse set of high-growth ventures, many of which have gone on to raise substantial follow-on rounds and achieve significant valuations.

Notable investments in Allred's angel portfolio include companies such as Replit, a collaborative in-browser IDE; Ramp, a corporate card and expense management platform; and Vanta, a security and compliance automation solution. These investments underscore his ability to identify disruptive technologies and strong founding teams across various sectors. His involvement often extends beyond capital, as he frequently provides mentorship and leverages his network to assist portfolio companies in their growth trajectories. Allred's transition from a successful founder to a strategic angel investor highlights his commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs, particularly within the ecosystem he helped build.