The CoffeeSpace Blog
Tips, Stories, and Updates on Entrepreneurial and Cofounder Journeys
September 30, 2024
Hi everyone! :) It's Hazim here – there have been a couple of important milestones + updates on our side since the last write-up, so I thought I'd share a quick update with all of you.
That’s all from us for now! Thank you for your constant feedback – it keeps us on our toes and fuels us each day to improve the product and grow the CoffeeSpace community further :)
Cheers,
Hazim, Carin & Fauzan
September 30, 2024
Collaborative entrepreneurship is the norm in the startup ecosystem, and many successful companies have been co-founded by multiple individuals. Iconic examples like Facebook (Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes), Apple (Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne), and Microsoft (Bill Gates and Paul Allen) showcase the power of having the right cofounders.
Finding the right cofounder can sometimes be even more challenging than building the product or service itself. Therefore, the methods and channels you choose for your cofounder search are crucial. In this article, we provide a comparative analysis of four of the largest and fastest-growing cofounder matching platforms and apps available today. You might just find the ideal partner for your entrepreneurial journey through these platforms.
Additionally, we've compiled a list of resources and articles covering a wide range of cofounder-related tips on our blog, which you can explore here.
CoFoundersLab is one of the largest cofounder matchmaking services, connecting over 650,000 users worldwide. This platform offers a one-stop solution for starting, funding, and growing a business with access to an extensive network of investors and professionals. CoFoundersLab’s proprietary algorithm recommends suitable cofounders, and members can gain exposure within the community.
The platform offers a subscription model, granting access to premium features like unlimited search, networking opportunities, and exclusive learning sessions.
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Cons:
CoffeeSpace is a mobile app that offers a Hinge-like interface, akin to a "dating app" for cofounders. With over 5,500 users and 200,000 swipes to date, CoffeeSpace is emerging as a rising star in the cofounder matching market. This platform is particularly geared toward entrepreneurship enthusiasts exploring ideas, building startups, or looking to join one.
They offer a playground on their website for users to test the app before committing, mirroring their mobile version's features.
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Y Combinator, commonly referred to as YC, is one of the most popular startup accelerator companies and also offers a cofounder matching service. Known for funding unicorns like Stripe, Airbnb, and Doordash, YC's platform has facilitated over 100,000 cofounder matches, making it a trusted place for aspiring founders. YC has funded over 5,000 startups with an estimated combined valuation of $600 billion, giving its cofounder matching service credibility and a stellar track record.
Beyond matching, YC’s platform provides access to hundreds of online resources, including guides and videos in their YC Library, to help you kickstart your journey while encouraging active networking within the community.
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FoundersList is a growing platform with over 5,000 founders, offering a space for collaboration, community engagement, and freelancing opportunities. Users can find cofounders, join specific community groups, participate in events, and browse professional services recommended by other founders. The platform features forums, live chat, events, and a blog.
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LinkedIn, a familiar social networking platform, offers cofounder opportunities through job postings and network connections. With over 1 billion registered users, LinkedIn is a great starting point for finding cofounders, utilizing hashtags to narrow down your search.
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Each platform offers a unique approach to finding the right cofounder, with strengths and weaknesses to consider. Whether you prefer YC's structured approach, CoffeeSpace's mobile convenience, CoFoundersLab's resources, FoundersList’s community-driven platform, or LinkedIn’s extensive network, there's something for everyone.
It's essential to explore multiple options and engage actively with different communities to maximize your chances of finding the right cofounder. The journey to finding your ideal partner might be challenging, but these platforms can help you take the first step toward a successful entrepreneurial partnership.
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September 30, 2024
In this feature, we’re excited to introduce the brilliant minds behind Orbital Electric Systems. Orbital is at the forefront of designing and building the next generation of American work vehicles. With cutting-edge technology that leverages the clean, quiet power of electric drivetrains, Orbital’s vehicles offer unmatched torque, durability, quick and quiet responsiveness, impressive payload and passenger capacity, and the versatility of a mobile power source. Their flagship model, the Orbital Rev 1 UTV, is setting new standards for work and play across all terrains.
At the helm is Lukasz Kosewski (Luke), Orbital's CEO and founder. Luke’s entrepreneurial journey began in Canada, where he bootstrapped several startups before forming PagerDuty’s infrastructure team. He later took on a tech lead role at Netflix, automating data center outage recovery. His work continues to manage tens of millions of dollars in assets to this day. Luke’s expertise extends beyond software—he worked at Harley-Davidson on key systems, playing a crucial role in launching the LiveWire electric motorcycle. Now, he’s tackling his most ambitious challenge yet: leading Orbital to create electric vehicles that outperform their gas-powered counterparts. Luke holds an honors B.Math degree in Computer Science from the University of Waterloo.
Joining Luke is Greg Knox, Orbital’s Chief Revenue Officer. Greg brings a wealth of experience from the startup world, government, and politics. As Governor Rauner’s liaison to the Illinois House of Representatives, Greg sharpened his strategic and operational skills. In 2018, he transitioned to tech, starting at Remedly, a healthcare software company, where he quickly rose to lead client relations and drive growth. Greg later joined Skip, a startup that helped small businesses navigate pandemic relief funding, where, as COO, he grew the team from 2 to 40 and scaled revenue to $10 million annually. Now, as Orbital’s CRO, Greg is driving the company’s commercial success.
Luke: At Orbital Electric Systems, our goal is to showcase a post-gas future by developing cutting-edge electric off-road vehicles. Our first product is a utility task vehicle (UTV) that outperforms any gas-powered or electric competitor on the market. We are building the technology to enable a brand new generation of better-than-gas electric off-road vehicles. Our aim is to have this revolutionary UTV available in the market by 2026.
Greg: That is right, we are currently in the process of finalizing our Series A funding round. We have been in talks with some interested investors, and there is still room for more people to get involved, whether they discover us through this article or other connections. The market has already shown its excitement for our product, with over $12.5 million in future revenue reservations.
We have built a prototype and it's performing exceptionally well. In fact, just a couple of days ago, we were shooting some video footage with it. And I mean, it truly is the case. Our prototype may still be in its early stages, but it's already about 40% more efficient than any other electric UTV ever built. We’re incredibly excited about its potential and look forward to bringing this vision to the masses by 2026.
So, the purpose of this Series A raise is to allow us to build our first small fleet of vehicles, which we will use to conduct demo events across the country and provide to some of our anchor partners. This is an important step in bringing our revolutionary electric UTV to market.
If anyone is interested in Orbital’s Series A round, Luke and Greg can be found here.
Luke: Owen (founder and CTO of Orbital) and I started the company together in 2021, working on the initial drafts of the product we wanted to build. We were great at product building and development, but we struggled with how to market, advertise, and sell it. We initially tried hiring industry professionals, people with experience selling UTVs, but they all came from large, publicly traded companies and didn’t seem to understand the startup environment or the incentives that come with it. So, we pivoted and decided to find someone who had startup experience, someone who understood the unique challenges and could sell in various contexts. That’s when we started to go on cofounder matching platforms and eventually met Greg through CoffeeSpace. He stood out among the others we interviewed because of his ability to sell anything thrown his way and his enthusiasm for startups and particularly the technology that we are building. There were some other candidates who I was matched with, but Greg ended up being the most promising, and we were thrilled that he took the offer.
Greg: Orbital is the third startup I've worked at. In 2018, I moved to the Bay Area after working in government and politics, where I served as Governor Rauner's liaison to the Illinois House of Representatives. I ultimately reached the conclusion that the impact that I wanted to make would be done through promoting emerging technologies rather than through government work. So I started doing just that.
My first experience in a startup was in 2018 in which I worked at a healthcare software company called Remedly, in a sales team of five, six people. By the end of it, I was the only one left so I had to juggle managing clients, taking on any responsibilities needed to be taken care of. I was learning the ins and outs of a startup, particularly driving growth and revenue to a business.
I jumped to Skip three years later, a startup that helped small businesses navigate pandemic relief funding. It was also more related to the government sectors, which was a great fit for me. I was Chief of Staff and eventually became the Chief Operating Officer, growing the company from just the CEO and I to 40 employees and $10 million in annual revenue. Really proud of that.
After two years at Skip with enough experience to really contribute to growing startups, I left Skip and took some time off, looking around for other opportunities. Especially since I don’t really have any technical skills, I realized I do need to latch onto the right technical people who are building truly disruptive technology that’s going to drive us forward as a species, and that’s what Luke really is doing with his field expertise and industry knowledge. I mean, we like to say we have the EV dream team building our vehicles. And it is true, if you look at people who conceivably could do something like this, we have the best team, period. So, yeah, it was a really easy choice.
Anyway, the thought of that led me to start searching on cofounder matching platforms like CoffeeSpace, where I ultimately found the right technical team at Orbital, and I’m confident I made the right choice.
Greg: I think the biggest challenge was sifting through all the other options and sort of weighing them and doing my best to understand the opportunities and also myself. Obviously, we are right in the middle of our societal explosion with ChatGPT coming out, so it was also a little bit of introspection of how much passion I have for the ideas. However, the final decision boils down to the excitement I have for where the business is heading towards and how much I think I will enjoy being a part of it. And we’re talking about the next 5 or 10 years of my life, and that is really what put me over the edge of making this decision.
When Luke and I were still talking, I got to know Owen as well, and we really built a good foundation of trust and rapport, and here we are, still sharing an office and enjoying each other’s presence. So yeah, there was a logical aspect to the decision, but also an emotional one, and I believe I made the right choice in joining Orbital.
Luke: Not rushing it. When Owen and I were looking at wanting to hire someone, we thought about someone who we could work with in close quarters. By the time we met Greg, we had five people on the team working halftime or remotely, but in the office, it was just Owen and I. One of the hard lines in the sand that we drew was that whoever we hired was somebody who we wanted to spend time in the office with. And so all of Greg's comments about finding somebody who we would get along with, well, we felt the same way and meeting the right person definitely took time. It was also during the holiday season that we matched, and we really gave time to let this relationship grow to the point where Greg is comfortable committing and not rushing the process.
Greg: My experience with CoffeeSpace has been very positive, especially in comparison to other co-founder matching platforms I've used. With some of the other platforms, there were a lot of options, but not all of them were great fits. In contrast, CoffeeSpace really stood out for me. I was honestly impressed with every single founder I spoke with through CoffeeSpace. The platform's filtering and matching process was key, as it helped connect me with the right opportunities. I'm grateful that the CoffeeSpace team reached out to me about the platform, as it's hard to get involved with a company if you don't even know it exists. The CoffeeSpace team did a great job of matching users with the right candidates and obviously that led to the success story of Luke and I meeting and becoming cofounders together.
Luke: I have to say I have the same comments as Greg for my side that all the people I got matched with were at least very interesting. Some of them ended up not being quite the right fit for me in terms of the skillsets they bring to the table but the problems were remediated really quickly and I would get users who I was matched with possessing the skills we were looking for in our company and they were like excellent, interesting, competent people. While we were not getting as many matches on a per week basis as some other platforms, they were quantity over quality. CoffeeSpace was different in that it was quality first, and that was a huge differentiator.
Greg: You only get one shot at building your company culture. So, choose wisely of who you want to spend your professional life and career with. From my past startup experiences, I have been fortunate enough to work with like-minded people, and really got a lot out of growing to know them better, but also trust each other over time. But if you are not careful in the initial cofounder search, you may end up with a team that you don’t have the same goals and right things in common. I say it's pretty strong parallels between choosing someone to spend your life within the romantic and personal sphere and people to spend your life with professionally, it's not too different.
Luke: Same thing here for me, but to add on I guess it is crucial to make sure that everyone in your founding team is honest and aligned about what they expect from the startup, especially regarding its growth and timeline. While your technology might quickly take off, leading to an exit strategy within a few years, the reality is that most of the time it's going to take a different path. And part of that path might be that you're going to be slogging at this for years, right? That doesn't mean that you're going to have to eat ramen for 10 years. You know, at my age, that would kill me long before 10 years. So there's no real worry of that happening but the point is it might involve a lot of time acting like a startup instead of a large company, there are periods where things are moving slower and there are crazy growth at times, just make clear and make sure that this path is acceptable for everyone on the team. If someone is only in it for a fast exit, they may not be the right fit for the journey ahead and you really have to choose wisely especially when it comes to a cofounder role.
If you’re inspired by this story and want to start exploring your own ideas and find someone to get off the ground with, join us at CoffeeSpace.
September 11, 2024
In the ever-evolving world of startups, stories abound of solo ventures that struggle to reach their full potential. Startups are inherently challenging, with a workload that often proves too much for one person to manage. You may have a groundbreaking idea, but turning it into a product requires more than just vision—it demands skills, dedication, and often, the support of a team. This is where many founders face their next challenge: finding the right co-founder, particularly one with the technical expertise to bring the product to life.
But where and how exactly do you find a compatible co-founder, especially one with the right skills? The search can feel daunting, but it’s far from impossible. This guide will walk you through the best strategies and platforms to help you find your ideal technical co-founder.
With the rise of technological solutions, the tech startup scene is booming. According to Zippia, the U.S. tech market was valued at $1.8 trillion in 2022, making it the largest in the world. This figure continues to grow at a staggering rate, with the U.S. accounting for 35% of the global market. For non-technical founders, having a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) or a co-founder with a strong technical background can be crucial. Not only does this accelerate the product development process, but it also provides a solid foundation for scaling the business.
Relying on freelancers or making early hires might seem like viable alternatives, but they come with their own set of challenges—lack of commitment, misalignment with your vision, and the potential for high turnover. A co-founder, on the other hand, is invested in the success of the startup and is more likely to stay the course through thick and thin.
The most straightforward and often most effective place to start is within your personal network. These are people you already know—friends, acquaintances, university peers, or former colleagues. The advantage here is twofold: first, you’re likely already familiar with their skills, work ethic, and personalities. Second, there’s an existing level of trust, which is invaluable when you’re considering someone to join you on a high-stakes entrepreneurial journey.
Start by reaching out to people in your immediate circle and expand outward. Attend alumni events or reconnect with old friends who might have the technical expertise you need. Even if you don’t find your co-founder directly within your network, someone you know might introduce you to the right person.
If your personal network doesn’t yield results, co-founder matching platforms are an excellent next step. These platforms are designed specifically to help entrepreneurs find their ideal co-founders. Think of them as Tinder or Hinge for startup founders. You create a profile that outlines your idea, skills, and what you’re looking for in a co-founder. These platforms usually have strict approval processes to ensure quality and reduce spam, making them a reliable resource for serious entrepreneurs.
CoffeeSpace is a standout in this category. Unlike other platforms that focus solely on skills and experience, CoffeeSpace takes compatibility matching to the next level. It considers personality, work style, and overall business approach through curated prompts, helping you find someone who not only complements your skill set but also aligns with your vision and values.
To give you a sense of its reach, CoffeeSpace currently has 47% of its users holding technical portfolios. You can even test the platform with our interactive playground, giving you a feel for how it works before diving in.
Professional networking platforms like LinkedIn are another powerful tool in your search for a technical co-founder. LinkedIn offers a wide array of resources, including job listings specifically marked as "co-founder needed," making it easy to connect with individuals seeking partners with complementary skills.
Beyond job listings, LinkedIn Groups are a goldmine for connecting with like-minded professionals. Groups dedicated to startups, entrepreneurship, or specific industries are filled with individuals who are passionate about building something new. By actively engaging in discussions, sharing your project ideas, and showcasing your expertise, you position yourself as a serious contender for those seeking a co-founder.
Don’t be afraid to reach out directly to individuals who you think might be a good fit. A personalized message explaining your vision and why you think they would be an ideal partner can go a long way in starting a fruitful conversation.
While professional networks are crucial, don’t underestimate the power of social media platforms. Reddit and Twitter (now known as “X”) are often overlooked in the co-founder search, but they can be incredibly effective. These platforms allow you to tap into vibrant communities of entrepreneurs, tech enthusiasts, and industry experts.
On Reddit, the subreddit r/cofounders is specifically designed for people looking to start ventures together. Here, you can browse existing threads where users have posted their ideas and desired co-founder skills. Alternatively, you can create your own post outlining your concept and what you’re looking for in a co-founder.
Twitter (X) is another platform worth exploring. By following industry hashtags like #findacofounder, you can connect with people actively searching for business partners. Engaging with content from industry leaders, venture capitalists, and other startups can also increase your visibility. The key is to be active and genuine—meaningful interactions are more likely to lead to fruitful connections.
In addition to social media, digital workspaces like Slack have become hubs for industry-specific discussions and collaborations. Many Slack channels are dedicated to particular industries or interests, making them ideal for finding someone with the right technical skills.
Joining targeted Slack groups allows you to quickly focus on the portfolios of your ideal co-founder. Participate in discussions, share your ideas, and don’t be shy about pitching your startup. These groups often have a more relaxed and collaborative atmosphere than traditional networking platforms, which can make it easier to build genuine relationships.
If you’re lucky enough to live in a city with a thriving startup ecosystem, offline events are invaluable. Pitch nights, startup meetups, and entrepreneur networking sessions are all great opportunities to meet potential co-founders in person. These events allow you to gauge someone’s personality and work ethic in a way that online interactions can’t fully replicate.
Look out for events that specifically cater to startup founders. Some events even include “speed-dating” sessions where you can meet multiple potential co-founders in a short amount of time. Remember to bring your A-game—these events are competitive, and first impressions matter.
While you’re searching for the perfect co-founder, it’s equally important to showcase your own value. Potential candidates need to know who they’ll be working with, so don’t be afraid to highlight your experience, vision, and what you bring to the table.
Participating in discussions, sharing your journey, and consistently showing up in relevant spaces will help you build your online presence. This not only increases your chances of finding the right co-founder but also establishes you as a serious entrepreneur worth partnering with.
Finding the right technical co-founder is a critical step in your startup journey. It’s about more than just filling a role—it’s about finding someone who shares your passion, vision, and commitment to building something great. Whether you’re leveraging your personal network, exploring co-founder matching platforms, or engaging with online communities, the key is to be patient and strategic.
Take your time, network smartly, and don’t settle for anything less than the perfect addition to your venture. With the right co-founder by your side, your startup is far more likely to reach its full potential.
September 11, 2024
In this edition, we explore the journey of Pavel (@durov) and Nikolai Durov (@Kolja_Durov), the brothers who founded Telegram—one of the most secure messaging platforms in the world. As we walk through the key milestones of their venture, we’ll examine the challenges they faced, the lessons learned, and the evolution of Telegram into a global leader in messaging and online privacy.
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Telegram, the cloud-based instant messaging and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) service, was launched by the Durov brothers in 2013. It wasn’t their first venture into the tech world, but it soon became their most influential. Previously, the Durovs were the creators of Russia’s largest social network, VKontakte (VK), and their experience in building a tech platform laid the groundwork for what would later become Telegram.
Pavel, often referred to as "Russia's Mark Zuckerberg," was the ideological architect behind both VK and Telegram, while Nikolai, a mathematician and programmer, provided the technical foundation. Their synergy allowed them to create platforms that not only attracted millions of users but also placed privacy and security at the forefront of their products.
VK, launched in 2006, was a social network that grew to dominate the Russian-speaking internet. Pavel founded the platform alongside his classmate Vyacheslav Mirilashvili, with Lev Leviev joining later to manage operations. Nikolai, although not one of VK's original founders, played a pivotal role in the platform's technical development.
VK's rapid success, however, attracted the attention of the Russian government. In 2011, authorities requested that VK censor content related to political protests and turn over user information. Pavel’s refusal to comply marked the beginning of his public stance as a defender of free speech and online privacy. These events were not just turning points in the history of VK but laid the foundation for the values that would later define Telegram.
By 2013, the Durov brothers had left VK amid growing pressure from the Russian government. As state-owned entities gradually took control of VK, Pavel and Nikolai shifted their focus to Telegram. The app was launched in August 2013, with headquarters established in Dubai to distance themselves from government interference.
The brothers envisioned Telegram as a platform that prioritized user privacy above all else. Features like end-to-end encryption and self-destructing messages were embedded into the app, making it an attractive alternative to other messaging services like WhatsApp. Telegram grew quickly, reaching 100,000 users within just two months of its launch.
According to the announcement from Telegram’s blog, the app surpassed 100 million monthly active users in February 2016, hitting a big milestone shortly two years after it started its operations, with 350,000 new users signing up and 15 billion messages sent daily.
In comparison to its competitor which was established in 2009, Whatsapp took over three times its time to reach the same milestone in February 2016, showing the impressive spike in growth for Telegram users in such a short period of time upon launching.
In 2018, the Durov brothers announced plans to take Telegram beyond messaging by introducing the Telegram Open Network (TON) and its own cryptocurrency, Gram. This project aimed to create a decentralized blockchain network that would offer secure, fast payments and a range of applications beyond just communication.
The initial coin offering (ICO) for Gram was a massive success, raising over $1.7 billion. However, Telegram's ambitious expansion was cut short when the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) intervened, alleging that Gram tokens were unregistered securities. After a lengthy legal battle, the project was forced to halt in 2020, and Telegram agreed to return the ICO funds and pay an $18.5 million penalty.
This setback could have been catastrophic for many companies, but the Durov brothers used their resilience to keep Telegram afloat. Pavel funded the company's operations using proceeds from the sale of his VK shares, ensuring that Telegram’s development continued without compromising its core values.
In August 2021, Telegram surpassed 1 billion downloads. This milestone may largely be attributed to the surge in downloads coinciding with WhatsApp, Messenger, and Instagram’s poor handling of relaying its privacy policies to its massive user base. During this period, Telegram grew significantly, amounting to over 70 million new users shouting alternatives for messaging services. This milestone reflects Telegram’s growing popularity and its appeal to the masses, particularly due to its focus on privacy and a broad range of features that the app offers.
After Telegram's attempt to revolutionize blockchain fell through, the company shifted its focus to monetization through a freemium model. In 2022, the platform introduced paid subscriptions that offered enhanced features, such as faster download speeds, voice-to-text transcriptions, and premium stickers.
By 2024, Telegram's in-app revenue had exceeded $1 million, thanks to its loyal user base willing to pay for advanced functionalities. Despite these changes, the core values of privacy and security remained untouched, which helped maintain user trust.
On August 24, 2024, with 12 alleged criminal violations relating to the cloud-based messaging app, Telegram founder Pavel Durov was detained at the Le Bourget Airport in France based on an arrest warrant issued by the French judicial police. Durov is currently released on bail but is barred from leaving France until the case is resolved.
He is faced with allegations of criminal activities on the Telegram platform which includes money laundering, drug trafficking, cyberbullying, and the promotion of terrorism and could serve up to 20 years in prison for his charges. Telegram has been on the French authorities’ radar for tracking illicit purposes and additionally the company’s refusal to share private information when required by law gradually snowballed into his arrest two weeks back. Prosecutors also argue that Telegram’s encryption and security puts on additional difficulties for authorities to monitor communications happening over the private messaging platform.
Durov has been clear on his stance and belief to provide an impartial platform available to all users, hence his arrest also sparked international debate and controversies about the balance between free speech and the collective responsibilities of tech companies in their practices concerning the moderation of content and the role of tech platforms in global politics. Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter) and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, in his series of tweets, expressed his disapproval and criticism of Europe’s freedom of expression in today’s times, calling for the release of Pavel Durov.
The Durov brothers’ journey offers valuable lessons for founders and cofounders in the tech space:
As the Durovs continue their journey with Telegram, they offer a blueprint for founders who prioritize innovation, resilience, and, most importantly, privacy.
If you’re inspired by this story and want to start exploring your own ideas and find someone to get off the ground with, join us at CoffeeSpace.
Banner image credit to Freepik
August 23, 2024
Hi CoffeeSpacers, it's Hazim here from CoffeeSpace!
Today's August update is a big one – from user and activity milestones to demographic breakdowns, feature rollouts + plans, and the launch of our "CoffeeSpace Success Stories" series, we have a lot in store. Let’s dive right in!
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Partnerships are one of the main ways we’re growing CoffeeSpace, and we’ve just added 3 amazing new partners recently!
Our partner Antler will soon be opening their founder residency applications for the Fall 2024 cohort – as before CoffeeSpace members will get an expedited review through our referrals. More on this in the next update!
That's all for this edition, thanks for reading all the way through!
Wishing you a fantastic rest of the week, and as always, feel free to reach out with any questions or feedback :)
Cheers,
Hazim, Carin & Fauzan
August 20, 2024
In this edition, we dive into the origins and evolution of Reddit, the platform that has redefined online communities and become a staple of the Internet. Join us as we uncover the key milestones, challenges, and lessons learned by Reddit’s co-founders, Steve Huffman (@redditspez) and Alexis Ohanian (@alexisohanian), on their path to building a social media giant.
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Reddit, also known as “the front page of the Internet,” has become a central hub for information, entertainment, and social interaction, with millions of active users worldwide sharing content and engaging on the platform daily. This dynamic social media platform serves as an online forum where users can share and discuss topics of their interest.
Founded in 2005 by Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian, Reddit has grown into one of the most influential online communities, boasting an estimated monthly organic traffic of 5.5 billion, ranking fourth after YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. Known for its unique structure of "subreddits," which are individual forums dedicated to specific interests or categories, Reddit allows users to submit content, engage in discussions, and vote on posts, creating a community-driven experience that prioritizes current and relevant content catering to all walks of life.
An interesting vantage point to explore is the journey of the founders—from building and launching the platform to becoming a unicorn and going public earlier this year. Here are some key milestones and conflicts that made Reddit the social media giant it is today and what lessons we can all take away from it.
In 2005, Alexis Ohanian and Steve Huffman, two college friends, initially had the idea of MyMobileMenu in mind. This app was intended for online order-taking, and they pitched it to Paul Graham, who was in charge at Y Combinator. Although the idea was shot down by Graham, he guided the two friends to pivot towards what would eventually become “the front page of the Internet.” This is how Reddit joined Y Combinator's first batch of startups in the summer of 2005. Enrolling in Y Combinator with this new idea, the duo was funded to make their vision a reality. Huffman became the CEO, while Ohanian served as the executive chairman. The founders worked tirelessly to build the platform, even creating thousands of fake accounts initially to make their site appear more populated. Later in 2005, Christopher Slowe joined as the company’s first employee, taking charge of ongoing development and new features, alongside Huffman, who had built the platform from scratch.
January 2006 marked a turning point for Reddit. During this time, the company merged with Aaron Swartz's Infogami, a company he had founded. This merger brought Swartz, an entrepreneur and Internet hacktivist, on board as a co-founder of Reddit. The merger also led to the establishment of a new parent company called "Not a Bug" that encompassed both startups. While there are debates over whether Swartz should be considered a co-founder, some media outlets reported him as an equal owner.
Huffman and Swartz took on the roles of programmers, while Ohanian handled business development and marketing tasks. However, tensions soon arose between the introverted Swartz and the two University of Virginia graduates, Huffman and Ohanian. After an initial burst of productivity working together, the situation became toxic, and it was mutually agreed that selling the company was the best option.
In 2006, just a year after its founding, Reddit was acquired by Condé Nast Publications for an undisclosed amount, reported to be between $10 million and $20 million. Following the acquisition, Aaron Swartz was let go from his position in 2007, while Ohanian and Huffman continued to work closely with Reddit as members of its board of directors. However, in 2009, both Ohanian and Huffman left the company—Ohanian to build Breadpig and Huffman to co-found the travel search platform Hipmunk with Adam Goldstein. Shortly after Huffman’s departure Slowe also left the company in 2010 to join Huffman in developing Hipmunk.
After leaving Reddit in 2009, Ohanian returned to the company in 2014 after Yishan Wong’s resignation as CEO, taking on the role of executive chairman. During this period, the company also raised a $50 million Series B round led by Andreessen Horowitz, as announced in October 2014. Ohanian helped guide Reddit’s growth and development, steering it toward its full potential of scaling. However, in 2018, he stepped back from the company to focus on investing.
In 2015, Reddit’s interim CEO Ellen Pao faced significant challenges as many users expressed frustration with the new direction of Reddit. A petition with over 160,000 signatures called for Pao to step down as CEO. Huffman returned to Reddit shortly after, replacing Pao as CEO to lead the now-independent company. August 2015 also saw Reddit hiring and announcing their first CTO, Marty Weiner, who was a founding engineer at Pinterest.
Ohanian wasn’t the only one to leave and later return to the company. In May 2017, Slowe rejoined Reddit as CTO, tasked with overhauling the platform’s technology and infrastructure. His efforts included the site redesign and mobile app development, which were crucial for supporting Reddit’s exponential growth in user base. As of 2024, Slowe still serves as Reddit’s CTO, continuing to innovate and enhance the user experience on the platform.
In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests swept across the country, Ohanian’s concerns about hateful content on Reddit grew. He advocated for banning groups on Reddit that supported discrimination, while others at the company, including Huffman, were reluctant to take such action. The disagreement over content moderation created a rift between Ohanian and Huffman. Ultimately, Ohanian resigned from Reddit's board in protest of the company’s lax guidelines on hate speech, publicly asking the board to fill his seat with a Black person. Y Combinator CEO Michael Seibel was chosen as his replacement.
In 2024, as Reddit prepared to go public, the company filed an S-1 form with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Surprisingly, the filing did not mention Ohanian, despite his significant role in the company's history. The omission was noted by many observers and analysts. Huffman, in a letter included in the filing, referred to Reddit's founding using plural pronouns but never mentioned Ohanian by name.
When asked about his exclusion from Reddit’s IPO filing, Ohanian responded with a shrug emoticon. The two co-founders, who were once close friends, have barely spoken since their falling out in 2020. In an interview with Wired, Ohanian mentioned that he hadn’t thought much about Huffman since his departure from the board.
When Reddit went public on March 24, 2024, it targeted a valuation of approximately $6.5 billion. This was a significant decrease from the $10 billion valuation it had reached during a funding round in 2021. The IPO was priced at $34 per share, allowing the company to raise about $750 million through the sale of shares—a cautious approach in a challenging market environment for tech IPOs.
Reddit’s current market capitalization has since increased to around $10 billion. This growth can be attributed to various factors, including strategic partnerships, particularly with Google for data licensing, and a resurgence in interest in tech stocks driven by current trends in artificial intelligence and online advertising.
The contrast between the initial IPO valuation and the current market cap highlights Reddit’s resilience and potential for growth in a competitive landscape. The rise in market value post-IPO indicates investor confidence and the company’s ability to adapt to market demands, despite early skepticism surrounding its profitability and business model.
The relationship between Reddit co-founders Alexis Ohanian and Steve Huffman has been a rollercoaster ride, marked by both collaboration and conflict. From their early days as college friends working on MyMobileMenu to their successful launch of Reddit and its subsequent acquisition by Condé Nast, the two entrepreneurs have left an indelible mark on the company's history. However, their differing views on content moderation and the handling of hateful content ultimately led to a public falling out, with Ohanian resigning from the board in 2020. As Reddit has now gone public, the exclusion of Ohanian from the IPO filing serves as a reminder of the complex and often tumultuous relationships that can develop between startup founders. Despite their differences, both Ohanian and Huffman have played pivotal roles in shaping Reddit into the influential platform it is today, offering valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs navigating the fast-paced world of technology and innovation.
If you’re inspired by this story and want to start exploring your own ideas and find someone to get off the ground with, join us at CoffeeSpace.
Banner image credit to Vectonauta on Freepik
August 13, 2024
In our first feature, we're excited to highlight the remarkable journey of two CoffeeSpace users, Ihsan and Alexander, who came together to build Scenario, an app that allows people to explore their life interests and achieve them financially.
Their experience exemplifies the power of connection, demonstrating how CoffeeSpace can spark meaningful conversations and foster partnerships that lead to innovative cofounding ventures. Join us as we delve into Ihsan and Alexander’s cofounder story, exploring the challenges they faced, the milestones they achieved, and the lessons they learned while working together after matching on CoffeeSpace.
Ihsan Salleh, cofounder and CEO of Scenario, is a data scientist who has worked at Hulu, Sony, and SmartCredit, focusing on consumer marketing and financial algorithms. Alexander Parker, cofounder and Head of Design, brings 18 years of industry experience in design and advertising across B2B and direct-to-consumer brands, including work with Credit Karma, Earnest, and Robinhood. Together, they form the dynamic duo driving innovation at Scenario.
Ihsan: Alexander and I are cofounders of Scenario, a life design service. Let's start with the problem we're solving: How do we alleviate the anxiety and stress that comes from uncertainty around life choices and finances?
A question we love to ask is: "How do you deal with the anxiety and stress of not knowing what you want?"
That’s where the idea of "scenarios" comes in. Life isn’t just about having options; it’s about creating meaningful scenarios that help guide your decisions and help you achieve your life interests. That’s the vision behind what we’re building with Scenario. To summarize, Scenario is an interactive and visual app to explore life scenarios and financially achieve your dreams.
Currently in the pre-seed stage, we built several MVPs, tested several distribution strategies, and are now focused on building and developing the final product, leveraging our insights to strategically partner with credit unions.
Alexander: I was just looking through different scenarios of my own life, thinking, “Do I want to join a startup?” Ihsan reached out on CoffeeSpace by chance, and we matched. After that, we went straight into business, and we had interviews going over the possibilities of working together, our complementary abilities, and how we wanted to move things forward.
We started working right off the bat, just to get some stuff done. And through working together on several small projects, we realized that it was a good relationship, and we had an awesome dynamic. A more serious discussion about being cofounders together came shortly thereafter.
Ihsan actually came to Seattle to meet with me, and after interview rounds with his advisor team and investors, the deal was sealed.
Ihsan: For two years, I pondered questions like “Do I need a cofounder?” and “What kind of cofounder?”. After receiving feedback, it became clear that this startup needed an exceptional technologist. Throughout my search, I’ve rejected several candidates who wanted to be cofounders. Their academic qualifications didn't matter as much because I was also looking for a creative thinker — someone who thinks outside the box. And finally, I found Alexander on CoffeeSpace, who checked all the boxes.
Two shortcuts that swiftly accelerated our journey to be cofounders after meeting on CoffeeSpace:
Alexander: To me, a great product idea is more important than the credentials of who’s trying to build it. A great resume isn’t everything when looking for someone you want to work with long-term, let alone start a company with. I met a lot of talented people but wasn’t committed. When Ihsan reached out and I learned about Scenario, I instantly saw the potential of his vision.
Alexander: Filtering by what you are looking for is a feature that is very easy to use and intuitive. I love that the app is more exclusive, with profiles going through an approval process; it seemed like whoever CoffeeSpace initially had in there was already really useful to start the cofounder search.
This brings me to my next point, which is that I think that there are more interesting and seasoned people on CoffeeSpace compared to other platforms where there are often younger and fresher profiles who haven’t sorted out why they want to be founders. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but the candidate pool on CoffeeSpace seemed more mature for what and who I was looking for.
Ihsan: Less is more, and that’s what I appreciate about CoffeeSpace. The daily recommendations help filter through users, so there’s less for me to sift through. The prompts are also a great addition; they reveal people’s interests and personalities, which helps narrow down the candidate pool.
What I love most is the LinkedIn integration. It’s a great shortcut and super straightforward, unlike other cofounder matching platforms. This feature accelerated the search process because everyone’s already familiar with LinkedIn, and I could easily tap into their profiles to find the information I needed.
Alexander: Know what you want, pick your aspiration and stick to it. Evaluate your own strengths and weaknesses beforehand. What’s important is the maturity that comes from knowing what you lack as a professional in your career and what you need from others.
Ihsan: The first step before diving into a startup is to clearly identify the problem area that interests you; in fact, it’s even more important than the solution itself. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a solution in search of a problem that may not need solving.
July 20, 2024
In the fluctuating startup ecosystem where uncertainty looms, finding a suitable cofounder is crucial. A cofounder can either propel your company forward or steer it into troubled waters. Before committing to a partnership, founders typically engage in a trial period to assess if the potential cofounder aligns with the company’s values, culture, and pace.
A trial period is an agreed-upon duration during which a potential cofounder works under specific conditions. This could involve working on a side project for the startup or managing a part of the company alongside the founder. The goal is to evaluate whether the partnership should continue.
Trial periods are invaluable for quickly determining if a cofounder is a good fit. They provide insight into the working dynamics between founders and allow for an evaluation of the potential cofounder’s skills, work ethic, and compatibility with the startup’s mission. This mutual understanding can save time and resources in the long run.
The primary goals of a trial period include:
A structured approach is essential for evaluating a potential cofounder effectively. Here’s what to include and test during the trial period:
By structuring the trial period to include these elements, you can effectively assess the potential cofounder’s skills, work ethic, and compatibility with your startup’s mission and culture.
A well-structured trial period document helps ensure transparency and alignment. Be clear on non-negotiable aspects and open to communication for resolving any issues. Good luck with your cofounder trial period. If you’re still searching for the ideal candidate, CoffeeSpace offers a Tinder/Hinge-like platform for finding cofounders. Explore more on our app or try our playground for a hands-on experience.
July 1, 2024
Hey everyone, it's Hazim here from CoffeeSpace!
It’s hard to believe we’re already in the second half of the year! The first half has been a true roller coaster for us, and we're glad to have you with us on this crazy ride!
It has been a pretty eventful month for us and I'm excited to unpack how these weeks unfolded and share what's coming ahead.
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Many of you mentioned that it would've been nice to have a feel of how the app works on the website before signing up, so we're building what we call The Playground where people can see synthetic recommendations (it's our Buildspace S5 'toy')
Partnerships are one of the main ways we’re growing CoffeeSpace, and we’ve just added 3 amazing new partners recently!
Our partner Antler will soon be opening their founder residency applications for the Fall 2024 cohort – as before CoffeeSpace members will get an expedited review through our referrals. More on this in the next update!
That's all from us this time – to those in the US, we wish you a happy 4th of July, and to everyone else in the community, have a great week! As always, feel free to reach out with any questions and feedback :)
Cheers,
Hazim & Carin
July 1, 2024
As an entrepreneur embarking on a startup journey, one of the most critical decisions you'll face is the choice of funding model. The success of your venture often hinges on your ability to secure the right financing strategy, and especially with your product or service in development, securing adequate funds could alleviate your burden of worrying about operations, and put more focus on developing and pushing out your MVP or growing your startup. In this article, we'll explore the two primary funding options that are available to most startups: Venture Capital (VC) and Bootstrapping, highlighting the key differences and considerations to help you make a better and more informed decision.
Venture Capital or also known as its abbreviation VC, is a form of private equity investment provided by specialized firms or funds to emerging companies with high growth potential. These VC firms invest in startups in exchange for an equity stake or ownership in the company. This type of funding allows startups to access significant resources to accelerate their startup’s growth.
VC funding is typically categorized into different stages, such as pre-seed, seed, and early-stage, each with its own set of requirements and investment criteria that varies across different VC firms. Securing VC investment is a highly competitive process, as startups vie for the attention and backing of these firms.
As VC is an external investment, their firms raise capital from other institutions to then invest in high-growth startups. It is a high risk high return investment, but it is not without its offerings of more resources and professional help or connections to maximize the success rate of their investments.
Bootstrapping, on the other hand, refers to the practice of self-funding and relying on the company's operating revenues to finance and run the business. The term “bootstrap” in businesses originated from the saying of “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps” which means that you could do anything by yourself without any support, emphasizing self-reliance and minimal external funding.
The core principle of bootstrapping is to avoid giving up equity or ownership in exchange for larger investments. This allows founders to maintain full control over the future direction and development of their company.
As bootstrapped businesses need to be more profit-oriented, self-funded startups need to be prioritized to be profitable from the outset to ensure that they are able to keep operations running and have enough funds to reinvest in the business later on. Gradually, this makes the startup a more sustainable business model.
The best funding approach for your startup depends on your specific circumstances, goals, and the nature of your business. Bootstrapping may be an ideal choice for businesses that can generate revenue quickly and do not require substantial upfront capital. Conversely, VC funding may be a better fit for startups with ambitious growth plans and larger market opportunities that require significant resources to scale rapidly.
Ultimately, the decision between VC and bootstrapping should be based on a careful analysis of your startup's needs, the trade-offs involved, and your personal preferences as a founder. By understanding the nuances of each funding model, you can make an informed choice that aligns with your startup's long-term vision and increases your chances of success.
July 4, 2024
You may have a revolutionary and disruptive product, but no one would buy it if people do not know about its existence. In fact, 14% of startups fail because of poor marketing efforts. Hence, getting your product out there to reach its target market is one of the most important yet trickiest parts of growing your user base.
Launching on Product Hunt may just help you with getting your first users and your name out there to more people. It is a low-hanging fruit with a high yield, and winning on Product Hunt boosts your company’s visibility, brand awareness, and social proof that will unlock a short-term growth opportunity that leads to more doors in the market.
Some successful startups like Notion, Zoom, and Figma launched their product on the site and they have since then grown exponentially since their launch day.
CoffeeSpace has also launched on Product Hunt recently and out of 100+ companies launching on the same day, we landed on the top 5 spot for Product of The Day and 11th for Product of the Week! Our user base also grew by 15% from the Product Hunt launch itself, which is a testament to the platform's effectiveness in driving visibility and engagement for new products.
Product Hunt is a social media and product launchpad combined, this platform is for discovering and sharing new tech products and building a tight-knitted community of early adopters, especially helpful for founders wanting to get the word out about their startups.
Not only is the launch day important but Product Hunt is another space for others to discover your product page and convert! Now, we are going to share our experience and some tips on launching and to land on the top Product of The Day spots!
Here’s a checklist to guide you through the submission process for launching your product on Product Hunt:
This checklist is also available on the Product Hunt Launch Guideline Page to help you prepare for your launch.
Now you are all set on launching your product. How do you win?
Winning Product of the Day essentially gives you more visibility and higher traffic to your page, which essentially means the probability of user conversion in the very least, is higher.
Products refresh every 24 hours according to Pacific Standard Time (PT) and the rules are simple: get as many upvotes as you can during the day of your launch, and products with the most votes land on the top spots. Quality and organic upvotes are crucial, as Product Hunt detects bots and spam - those votes get removed eventually. On top of upvotes, authentic user reviews are also another way to gain traction to your products.
As Product Hunt resets their daily list, it is strongly recommended that you launch at 12:01am PT to maximize the time you get the full 24-hour to get upvotes.
This is the critical 24-hour period, and you want to garner all the upvotes and attention, and be engaged in the comments section and interact with users who show interest or have commented. This helps you to get valuable feedback for your product, but also to foster a sense of community, increasing user engagement and loyalty!
Social media platforms are your best friends to get upvotes. Post everywhere that you can - LinkedIn, Twitter (or X), your own newsletter etc. to make sure you are not missing out on any spaces that should know about your launch! Just a gentle nudge to your followers for their support through direct messages can also go a long way!
For CoffeeSpace, we have launched our app several weeks prior to Product Hunt, hence we are already launching with a pool of early users who have tested and tried the app. For founders who are launching their products on Product Hunt as their official launch, we definitely have some alternative tips that may work in your favor better.
On Product Hunt, there is an option to “launch now” or “launch later” and a scheduled launch can go up to 30 days in advance. Upon scheduling your launch, your product will be featured on the “Coming Soon” page, which essentially shows all the upcoming launches.
This is helpful as you can start building your presence and community on Product Hunt before launching! This gives you ample time for people to check out and discover your product beforehand, and get notified and excited when you launch!
Remember, this is a social space to uplift makers! Show your love to other launches too - comment, upvote, share about them! This is a tight-knit community and being supportive helps you to network, connect, and meet other amazing makers and users!
Launching as a maker is no easy job, but we highly recommend launching yourself instead of finding a hunter (someone to do it for you) on Product Hunt. This helps with being connected closer with your users and garnering the feeling of inclusivity and exclusivity with the maker. As such, it is important to also keep your page updated so it looks professional. Be it your own Product Hunt page or your maker profile, keep them updated with relevant information - utilize the bio section to also further demonstrate your experiences, skills etc.
Launching on Product Hunt is a scary but thrilling milestone, and the adrenaline rush in that 24 hours is just intense, but rewarding! All in all, the purpose of launching your product is to reach new targeted audiences and get feedback for your later development of your product, winning Product of the Day of course, is the icing on the cake!
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