Travis Jank

# Travis Jank: A Biography

## Early Life and Education

Travis Jank was born in Newport Beach, California. His early childhood experiences would later influence his entrepreneurial mindset and technical pursuits.

Jank attended Coeur d'Alene High School in Idaho, graduating in 2006.[^2] After high school, he pursued higher education at Brigham Young University-Idaho from 2005 to 2008.[^3] His formal education was complemented by a natural aptitude for technology that manifested from a young age.

## Early Career and Overclocking Achievements

Jank's professional journey began in 2000 when he became Vice President of Operations at NexGen Internet Services while still a teenager.[^3] By 2010, he had already established himself as a computer specialist, with the Coeur d'Alene Press describing him as "a pro at speeding up computers."[^21]

His passion for overclocking—the practice of running computer components at speeds higher than manufacturer specifications—led to significant achievements in the competitive overclocking community. Under the username V2_V3 on HWBOT, Jank competed at the highest levels of overclocking.[^10] His profile shows numerous achievements in pushing hardware to its limits, particularly with Intel processors and AMD Phenom CPUs.

Jank became known in the AMD overclocking community during the late 2000s, a period when Tom's Hardware was running guides and contests for overclocking AMD's Phenom and Phenom II processors.[^25] His expertise with AMD hardware became particularly valuable as these processors gained popularity among overclocking enthusiasts for their ability to operate at voltage levels between 1.50 and 1.56 volts, which was higher than competing Intel models at the time.[^26]

Jank participated in major overclocking competitions, including the ASUS/ROG/Intel LANFest in Phoenix, where he showcased his talents alongside other top overclockers.[^22] These competitive experiences helped establish his reputation in the overclocking community and informed his later approach to building high-performance computing systems for enterprise applications.

## Computer Modding and Media Collaborations

Jank gained prominence in the computer modding community—where enthusiasts modify computer cases and components for aesthetics and performance—through his collaborations with major technology companies and media outlets.

In 2014, he was featured in NVIDIA's "GeForce Garage" series, providing expert guidance on topics such as overclocking gaming rigs and building high-performance esports systems.[^11][^12] These educational resources helped gaming enthusiasts optimize their systems for maximum performance.

His modding talents were showcased in NVIDIA's Game24 modding contest, where he demonstrated his ability to create visually striking yet high-performing computer builds.[^13] Jank also created a wall-mounted PC for Maker Faire in collaboration with NVIDIA and Corsair, further displaying his innovative approach to computer design.[^14]

Intel recognized Jank's expertise by featuring him in their "ExpertMode" series, which highlighted his skills as a case modder and system builder.[^23] This exposure helped establish him as an authority in the custom PC building community.

## Television and Media Projects

Jank's technical expertise and creative vision led to opportunities in television, most notably with "The Vanilla Ice Project." As part of Team Nerdy Ninja, he designed and built custom gaming rooms for the show, integrating cutting-edge technology into architectural designs.[^16]

For Season 4 of "The Vanilla Ice Project," Jank and his team created a sophisticated gaming setup featuring a custom desk with two high-end gaming PCs and an oil-submerged computer in an aquarium.[^16][^24] This innovative approach to computer integration in home design garnered attention for its creativity and technical sophistication.

The Statesman Journal described his work as the "ultimate gamer room," highlighting the unique combination of aesthetic appeal and technical performance in his designs.[^20] Multiple YouTube videos document these projects, showcasing Jank's ability to translate complex technical concepts into visually impressive and functional spaces.[^17]

## Patents and Innovations

Travis Jank's technical innovations have resulted in multiple patents. He is listed as an inventor on US11096298B2, "Computing rack enclosure and mounting structure," which covers designs for high-density computing rack systems.[^27] This patent reflects his work on maximizing computational density in data center environments, a key aspect of KRAMBU's technological approach.

Jank is also an inventor on US10561036B1, "Computing device cooling systems," which relates to thermal management solutions for high-performance computing hardware.[^28] This patent aligns with his longstanding interest in cooling technology, which has been essential for his overclocking achievements and KRAMBU's server designs.

These patents demonstrate Jank's transition from competitive overclocking and computer modding to developing enterprise-grade technological innovations with practical applications in the data center industry.

## KRAMBU: From Startup to Industry Innovator

In 2017, Jank co-founded KRAMBU, Inc. in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, where he serves as both CEO and CTO.[^3] The company was established with a focus on high-performance computing hardware, drawing on Jank's extensive experience in optimizing computing systems.

Under Jank's leadership, KRAMBU quickly made an impact in the market. Within six months of its founding, the company reportedly generated $1.2 million in sales over approximately two months.[^5] This early success helped establish KRAMBU as a significant player in the high-performance computing industry.

One of KRAMBU's notable achievements includes developing what was claimed to be the world's highest density GPU server at that time, featuring 19 GPUs in a 3U form factor.[^6] This technological innovation showcased the company's capability to design compact yet powerful computing solutions, building directly on Jank's experience with maximizing hardware performance.

## Business Growth and Strategic Diversification

As demand for KRAMBU's products grew, the company expanded operations beyond its original headquarters in Coeur d'Alene. By 2019, KRAMBU had established a data center in Newport, Washington, to accommodate its growing production needs.[^5]

When the cryptocurrency market experienced a significant downturn in 2018-2019, KRAMBU maintained stability by diversifying its focus to include artificial intelligence applications for its server technology.[^5] This pivot demonstrated Jank's business adaptability and foresight, allowing the company to continue growing while many competitors struggled.

The company secured funding through a friends-and-family offering that raised approximately $1 million, enabling KRAMBU to file patents and expand inventory.[^5] Under Jank's leadership, the company has explored partnerships with various industries and has reportedly been in discussions with financial institutions like JPMorgan Chase & Co.[^5]

## Recent Innovations and Partnerships

In recent years, Jank has continued to lead KRAMBU's innovation in high-performance computing. The company has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its technological capabilities, including a February 2025 collaboration with Elkhorn to develop sustainable cooling technology for data centers.[^7] This partnership aims to address energy consumption challenges in high-performance computing environments while reducing environmental impact.

In March 2025, KRAMBU announced a partnership with Bitspower and XFX to develop advanced liquid cooling solutions for AMD's RDNA 4.0 architecture, further demonstrating the company's commitment to innovation in thermal management for high-density computing applications.[^8]

These recent developments show how Jank has translated his early expertise in computer cooling and performance optimization into enterprise-scale solutions for data centers and AI infrastructure.

## Personal Philosophy and Community Impact

Jank's approach to business and technology reflects a deep commitment to innovation and problem-solving. He has expressed that his mission is "to do tough stuff" and finds motivation in tackling complex problems.[^2] His decision to build his company in Coeur d'Alene rather than traditional tech hubs demonstrates his connection to community and desire to create technological opportunities in smaller markets.

In his own words, "It was my dream to stay here. I worked so hard and took odd jobs just to survive, to stay here near friends and family, and be close to the outdoors."[^2] This statement reveals Jank's dedication to building a technology company that allows him to maintain his personal values while pursuing technological innovation.

As a technology entrepreneur from a relatively small city, Jank has helped establish Coeur d'Alene as an emerging hub for technology innovation. KRAMBU is recognized as part of the growing startup ecosystem in the region, with Coeur d'Alene reportedly having the highest density of startups in Idaho.[^9]

## Legacy and Continuing Influence

Travis Jank's journey from competitive overclocker to CEO of a high-performance computing company illustrates the potential for specialized technical expertise to translate into entrepreneurial success. His early passion for pushing computer hardware to its limits has evolved into developing innovative solutions for some of the most demanding computing challenges in AI and data center infrastructure.

Jank's career demonstrates how deep technical knowledge, when combined with creative vision and business acumen, can lead to innovation outside traditional technology centers. His work spans from customized gaming rooms for television productions to enterprise-class server infrastructure for AI applications, showing the versatility and applicability of his expertise across different domains.

Today, Travis Jank continues to lead KRAMBU's efforts in advancing high-performance computing, artificial intelligence infrastructure, and sustainable data center solutions, building on his lifelong passion for maximizing computing performance and efficiency.

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[^1]: LinkedIn profile information, Travis Jank - KRAMBU, https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisjank/

[^2]: Coeur d'Alene Press, "Changing the world, blockchain by blockchain", October 9, 2018, https://cdapress.com/news/2018/oct/09/changing-the-world-blockchain-by-blockchain-5/

[^3]: The Org, "Travis Jank - Chief Executive Officer at KRAMBU", https://theorg.com/org/krambu/org-chart/travis-jank

[^4]: ActiveRain, "Want a Faster Computer? World Record Breaking Speeds? Over Clocking Extraordinaire!", https://activerain.com/blogsview/2123700/want-a-faster-computer---world-record-breaking-speeds--over-clocking-extraordinaire-

[^5]: Spokane Journal of Business, "Having survived crypto winter, Krambu thrives", October 11, 2023, https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/2019-having-survived-crypto-winter-krambu-thrives

[^6]: Crunchbase, "KRAMBU - Crunchbase Company Profile & Funding", https://www.crunchbase.com/organization/krambu

[^7]: Spokane Journal of Business, "Cd'A IT company partners with cooling concern", March 2025, https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/16953-cda-it-company-partners-with-cooling-concern

[^8]: PRWeb, "Bitspower Collaborates with KRAMBU and XFX to Deliver Advanced Liquid Cooling for Next-Gen AI Servers", March 6, 2025, https://www.prweb.com/releases/bitspower-collaborates-with-krambu-and-xfx-to-deliver-advanced-liquid-cooling-for-next-gen-ai-servers-302394190.html

[^9]: Spokane Journal of Business, "Innovating Idaho: Coeur d'Alene's entrepreneurial ecosystem accelerates", November 10, 2023, https://www.spokanejournal.com/articles/2697-innovating-idaho-coeur-d-alene-s-entrepreneurial-ecosystem-accelerates

[^10]: HWBOT, User profile "V2_V3", https://hwbot.org/users/v2_v3

[^11]: NVIDIA, "GeForce Garage: Cross Desk Series - How to Overclock Your Gaming Rig", https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/guides/gfecnt/geforce-garage-cross-desk-series-video-7-how-to-overclock-your-gaming-rig/

[^12]: NVIDIA, "GeForce Garage: How to Build Our GeForce Esports Rig", https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/news/geforce-garage-how-to-build-our-geforce-esports-rig/

[^13]: IGN, "Take a Look at the Results of NVIDIA's Game24 Modding Contest", September 25, 2014, https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/09/25/take-a-look-at-the-results-of-nvidias-game24-modding-contest

[^14]: Corsair Forums, "NVIDIA Wall Mount PC for Maker Faire", https://forum.corsair.com/forums/topic/103093-nvidia-wall-mount-pc-for-maker-faire/

[^15]: Modders-Inc, "Modder Spotlight: Travis Jank and Richard Surroz", https://www.modders-inc.com/modder-spotlight-travis-jank-and-richard-surroz/

[^16]: Modders-Inc, "Team Nerdy Ninja Custom Gaming Room from The Vanilla Ice Project", https://www.modders-inc.com/team-nerdy-ninja-custom-gaming-room-from-the-vanilla-ice-project/

[^17]: YouTube, Various videos featuring Travis Jank's work on The Vanilla Ice Project, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfH2Akl97qI, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS4WiKMXSks, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs_jcTuwPKo

[^18]: IMDb, "The Vanilla Ice Project" (TV Series), https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5746310/

[^19]: IMDb, Character credits for "The Vanilla Ice Project", https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3636296/characters/nm10610808

[^20]: Statesman Journal, "Ultimate gamer room", April 18, 2014, https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/life/2014/04/18/ultimate-gamer-room-/7891505/

[^21]: Coeur d'Alene Press, "CdA native a pro at speeding up computers", April 14, 2010, https://cdapress.com/news/2010/apr/14/cda-native-a-pro-at-speeding-up-computers-5/

[^22]: ASUS ROG Forum, "ASUS | ROG Intel LANFest Phoenix", https://rog-forum.asus.com/t5/promotions-general-discussions/asus-l-rog-intel-lanfest-phoenix/td-p/73815

[^23]: Modders-Inc, "Intel ExpertMode Showcases a PC Case Modder", https://www.modders-inc.com/intel-expertmode-showcases-a-pc-case-modder/

[^24]: Hard Forum, "Vanilla Ice Project", https://hardforum.com/threads/vanilla-ice-project.1803264/

[^25]: Tom's Hardware, "How To: Overclocking Your AMD Processor", February 20, 2009, https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/phenom-overclock-athlon,2161.html

[^26]: Tom's Hardware, "Overclocking AMD's Phenom II X2 550", July 20, 2009, https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/overclock-phenom-pentium,2366-6.html

[^27]: Google Patents, "Computing rack enclosure and mounting structure", US11096298B2, https://patents.google.com/patent/US11096298B2/en

[^28]: Google Patents, "Computing device cooling systems", US10561036B1, https://patents.google.com/patent/US10561036B1/en