From the heart of Milwaukee to the entrepreneurial epicenter of Boulder, Kyle Larson’s journey is a story of ambition and innovation. Kyle's journey began in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he spent his early years until age 12. His family then relocated to Boulder, Colorado, a city they felt deeply connected to: both his father and grandfather were alumni of the University of Colorado. The city’s vibrant community and entrepreneurial spirit greatly influenced Kyle's future.
In Boulder, Kyle was immersed in a culture of innovation. Many of his parents' friends were involved in startups, and this entrepreneurial environment left a lasting impact on him. His family also owned a thriving HVAC distribution business in Wisconsin, established by his great-grandfather, which sparked his early interest in entrepreneurship.
By the time he graduated high school, Kyle had already gained valuable experience with three Boulder-based startups. These roles allowed him to explore various aspects of business, from marketing to finance, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of how startups function. This early exposure fueled his passion for business and innovation.
Eager to pursue his interests academically, Kyle enrolled at the as a dual major in business and film. During his time at USC, he interned at , a startup specializing in designer medical apparel, and later worked with companies like , , , and .
Despite his accomplishments, Kyle felt limited by the entertainment industry's pace. The onset of COVID-19 prompted him to reevaluate his career path, leading him back to his entrepreneurial roots and the world of venture capital. Naturally, he returned to Boulder to pursue an MBA at the University of Colorado. The university’s strong ties to the startup and venture capital communities, along with his family’s legacy, created the perfect setting for his next chapter. He also aimed to deepen his connections in Colorado, further embedding himself in the community he cherished.
From Classroom to Boardroom
Kyle pursued his MBA at the Leeds School of Business from 2020 to 2022, concentrating on finance, entrepreneurship, and venture capital. His active participation in various programs and clubs reflected these interests and enriched his learning experience.
One of the key programs he joined was the High Growth Venture (HGV) program, where aspiring entrepreneurs collaborated to solve real-world business challenges. Kyle appreciated this hands-on approach, which aligned with his pragmatic learning style and allowed him to engage actively with practical problems.
Additionally, Kyle was involved with the Deming Center Venture Fund (DCVF), a student-run fund that combined the expertise of MBA students, JDs, and Engineering PhDs. This experience offered him a unique perspective on investments, blending business and technical insights to evaluate potential ventures.
Kyle also took on a leadership role as the president of the This competition required assessing startups from a venture capital perspective, questioning founders, and receiving feedback from experienced venture capitalists. Under Kyle's leadership, the team excelled, reaching the global finals at for the first time in several years.
The MBA program provided Kyle with exceptional opportunities to integrate himself in Colorado's startup and venture capital ecosystem. He valued the strong network he built, which was crucial as he transitioned careers and rooted himself in the local entrepreneurial community.
“Just hearing about people's experiences isn't always enough for me, but when I get to actually jump into those problems and get my hands dirty, that's when I'm truly able to make a difference.”
Overall, Kyle found his MBA experience at Boulder immensely valuable, both for the knowledge gained and the connections made, setting the stage for his future endeavors in entrepreneurship and venture capital.
MTN Ready Revolutionizes Altitude Acclimation
After earning his MBA, Kyle worked in Austin at a startup accelerator, gaining valuable insights into business development and venture capital. This role exposed him to diverse businesses and deepened his understanding of the challenges startups face. Recognizing the importance of operational experience, he returned to Colorado to join ATPeak Brands, makers of
ATPeak Brands is a Boulder-based startup with its first product called MTN Ready, which addresses optimal wellness at altitude. The product is a scientifically formulated acclimation powdered drink mix. It addresses some of the root causes of altitude-related symptoms: one of which is rapid ATP depletion. ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is an important form of cellular energy that keeps our bodies functioning at altitude. Making ATP at low oxygen levels is a challenge for the body. As a result, it's essential to give your body and heart a much needed boost of energy when in the mountains!
As a Colorado native, Kyle understood the challenges of high altitudes, along with common misconceptions about hydration and its relationship to altitude. Many assume symptoms at high altitudes are due to dehydration, but Kyle explains that there is no proven link between hydration and addressing the negative effects of altitude. Though dehydration and altitude sickness share symptoms – such as headaches, nausea, dizziness and poor sleep – it is likely they are due to increased elevation.
Kyle emphasizes that understanding the true nature of altitude sickness is crucial to successfully avoid it. That's why MTN Ready’s acclimation drink mix was designed to support the body at a cellular level when at altitude. The formula contains three main ingredients: D-ribose, a specialty sugar that boosts ATP production; Glucarate, a detoxifier that helps eliminate toxic metabolites that can contribute to negative effects of altitude; and Dextrose, a simple sugar chemically identical to glucose, which provides quick energy to the brain. While sugars often carry a negative perception, those in MTN Ready naturally occur in the body and are essential energy for your heart, lungs and brain. MTN Ready just replenishes things already found in the body, but that you work through quicker at altitude. As a result, the product is safe for those of all ages.
Kyle appreciates the simplicity and effectiveness of the MTN Ready formula. It took a long time to get the combination of specialized ingredients optimized for high altitude wellness. Kyle notes it's important to be conscious of what you are putting in your body – and with only three safe and non-GMO ingredients, consumers can feel great about having MTN Ready as a companion on their next trip to the mountains. And given their third-party testing results, consumers agree! MTN Ready received overwhelmingly positive feedback and 96% of participants who had altitude sickness previously, reported no symptoms or very minor symptoms after taking the acclimation drink mix. With these results, MTN Ready is poised to make a significant market impact!
The company was founded by Loretta Zapp, Bob Bloom, and Mary Mulry–colleagues in the consumer packaged goods and ingredients business. Kyle is excited to contribute his expertise to help build and scale the business. As he puts it, MTN Ready is an “insurance policy” for travelers seeking a great experience in the mountains.
"There are so many products out there that aren't effective or have poor quality ingredients. We want to change that. We really care about and think it's important to consider what you put in your body. We hold ourselves to a very high standard there.”
Kyle expresses great enthusiasm about the future of MTN Ready, highlighting that everyone who tries the product falls in love with both its taste and the way it makes them feel at altitude. It gives users peace of mind, ensuring they have a fantastic trip to the mountains. Ultimately, MTN Ready cares for its consumers and their health. They hope to help as many people as possible feel great at altitude.