70: The Origin of a Technology Visionary - Calvin Carter - Founder & CEO, Bottle Rocket Studios

The Pathways to Success with Julian Placino

Calvin Carter is the founder and CEO of Bottle Rocket. Calvin built Bottle Rocket on the belief that exceptionally innovative technology not only enhances the way we do things - it redefines the way we live our lives. A visionary with an entrepreneurial spirit, Calvin launched Bottle Rocket in March 2008, the day after Steve Jobs announced the iPhone being opened to third-party developers and months before the App Store opened. Named an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2013, Calvin has grown Bottle Rocket to over 200 Rocketeers and completed more than 350 apps. Prior to launching Bottle Rocket, Calvin ran a private equity and business development company that completed many successful projects and made equity investments into 16 companies, many of which were technology focused. He has founded or co-founded several other businesses, including i.con interactive, an Internet software development and professional services company. This company eventually merged with seven other Internet firms to form Luminant Worldwide, a publicly-traded company with $160 million in revenue and over 1,000 professionals. Outside of Bottle Rocket, Calvin serves on numerous corporate advisory boards and was president of the Dallas Chapter of Entrepreneurs Organization, an international membership organization of more than 5,500 business owners worldwide. He later served on the President’s Council of EO and as its North American Regional Director. Calvin holds a BA in Accounting and BA in Organizational Behavior and Business Policy degrees from Southern Methodist University and is a graduate of both the Stagen Integral Leadership Program and Transformational Leadership Program.