Building DataJolt: The Delivery Job That Taught Him What Data Could Do

In the hustle of modern entrepreneurship, there's something refreshingly honest about Dave Balderston’s story.  His entrepreneurial spirit grew from the discipline and teamwork he developed playing college basketball, the resilience built making 100+ cold calls a day fresh out of college, and the lessons learned from building and leading teams through venture-backed hyper-growth.

That team-first mentality and drive for results quickly shaped Dave’s career. Early on, selling over the phone forced him to communicate clearly, connect quickly, and bounce back from setbacks—lessons that proved invaluable as he moved into the fast-paced world of startups.

Dave’s path meandered through various experiences—none more poignant than his 7 year stint in the food delivery sector.  The real rocket ride started at Zoomer.  Dave build & led a team of 20 and sitting on the executive team with no previous leadership experience.  Zoomer grew from 10 to 40 people in six months, then leaped to 220 shortly thereafter. The pace was chaotic, and Dave learned fast that bringing order, focus, and data-driven decisions was the only way to keep people rowing in the same direction.

After Zoomer was acquired by EatStreet, Dave stepped into a new challenge, building & overseeing Delivery Operations and Partnerships for a team managing 3,000 employees. He brought his sales instincts into operations, managing complex logistics and growth. During this chapter, Dave became close with his now DataJolt cofounders. They saw firsthand how even the hardest-working teams missed out on profits and efficiency because their data wasn’t working for them.  Dave wanted to help others avoid the same mistakes he once made: losing time and money to unfocused efforts.

That realization became the spark for DataJolt. Dave and his cofounders knew most companies couldn’t afford in-house data teams or elaborate technical builds. Yet these same companies—whether they were blue collar, multi-generational & family-owned, or fast-growing start-ups—were losing money and momentum due to messy data and outdated systems. DataJolt was created to close that gap: providing accessible, high-impact data solutions so businesses could turn their existing data into a true engine for growth.

In its first year, Datajolt redefined its direction, initially targeting technically savvy businesses but soon discovering a substantial audience among non-tech sectors, including construction materials and multigenerational family businesses with outdated systems & process.  Datajolt operates in a hybrid SaaS & Services model -- enabling companies with limited technical expertise to tap into Datajolt as an extension of their team. 

Now in year two, the focus is clear: to keep listening, learning, and delivering real results for the businesses that need it most—whether they’re cutting-edge startups or long-standing family enterprises. Dave’s journey is a reminder that sometimes the best innovations come not from reinventing the wheel, but from asking simple questions, understanding true needs, and applying hard-earned lessons with clarity and focus.

At its core, DataJolt exists to help businesses unlock the power of their data—in practical, accessible ways that drive growth without the usual headaches. That’s the kind of progress Dave believes in, and the kind of partnership DataJolt strives to build every day.

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