Clate Mask

Clate Mask is an American entrepreneur and author who co-founded Keap, a CRM and marketing automation platform for small businesses.^[1] He led the company from its founding in 2001 through its acquisition by Thryv in 2024, growing it from a bootstrapped startup to $120 million in annual recurring revenue.^[4][8]

Mask bootstrapped Keap to $7 million in revenue before raising outside capital, ultimately securing $154 million in funding over the company's 23-year run.^[1][5] The platform served over 40,000 customers and processed more than $3.4 billion in payments for small businesses.^[4] In 2024, he became CEO of PHX FWD, a nonprofit initiative to establish Phoenix as a top global software city by 2035.^[7]

He authored "Conquer the Chaos: The 6 Keys to Success for Entrepreneurs" in 2024 and was named an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist in 2012.^[2][3]

Mask earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Arizona State University in 1996.^[1] He then pursued dual graduate degrees at Brigham Young University, completing both an MBA and a J.D. in 2000.^[1]

Despite his legal and business education, Mask found himself drawn to entrepreneurship rather than traditional corporate roles. "I love building small businesses," he later reflected. "I went to law school and business school, but I couldn't get excited about going to work for a big consulting or law firm."^[10]

Early Career (1999)

After completing his graduate studies, Mask worked briefly at North Sky, a web hosting company that was acquired by About.com in 1999.^[1] This early exposure to the technology sector and startup acquisitions would inform his later entrepreneurial approach.

Keap (2001–2024)

Mask co-founded Infusionsoft (later rebranded as Keap) in 2001 as a custom software development shop.^[1] The company initially operated as a traditional consulting business, trading hours for dollars, before pivoting to develop its signature CRM and marketing automation platform for small businesses.^[4]

The early years proved challenging for Mask and his family. With $100,000 in student debt and four children, he was taking home only $2,500 per month during the company's initial phase.^[4] "Those first three years were brutal," he later acknowledged, noting that his wife nearly convinced him to abandon entrepreneurship during this period.^[4]

Mask bootstrapped the company to $7 million in annual revenue before accepting outside investment.^[1] The company's first significant funding round valued Infusionsoft at $36 million.^[1] Over its 23-year run, Keap raised a total of $154 million from 14 investors.^[5]

Under Mask's leadership, Keap grew to serve over 40,000 customers and process more than $3.4 billion in payments for small businesses.^[4] The platform reached $120 million in annual recurring revenue and employed approximately 500 people.^[4][8] In 2024, Keap was acquired by Thryv, marking the end of Mask's 23-year tenure as CEO.^[7]

PHX FWD (2024–present)

Following the Keap acquisition, Mask became CEO of PHX FWD, a nonprofit initiative aimed at establishing Phoenix as one of the world's top software cities by 2035.^[7] The organization focuses on developing the local technology ecosystem and attracting software talent to the Phoenix metropolitan area.^[9]

Mask was named an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist in 2012 for the Mountain Desert region.^[2] Goldman Sachs selected him as one of its 100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs in 2013.^[6]

In 2024, he published "Conquer the Chaos: The 6 Keys to Success for Entrepreneurs," drawing from his experience building Keap.^[3] He has spoken at conferences including ICON and Venture Café Phoenix, sharing insights on entrepreneurship and small business growth.^[6][9]

Mask lives in Gilbert, Arizona, with his wife Charisse and their six children.^[4] He has worked with executive coach Steve Hardison for over 12 years, focusing on personal development in areas of gentleness, presence, and humility.^[11]