It has been a long road. I started development of my app in March, released in August, pivoted in October (kind of). I am very much in the trough of despair (referring to the YC chart) and about to release my next big update. But on Wednesday something amazing happened!

I posted a video on TikTok that started getting traction, only 9k views, but I have had a 90% conversion rate day on the app store yesterday and have had a ~35% conversion rate each day Wednesday - Saturday. I went from 1 new user a week with paid ads to 30 new users in a single day. I didn't do anything differently and my video wasn't even about my app but it was on the topic my app serves and I guess people are finding it that way? I have no idea honestly.

I know I need to sit down and look at the analytics to understand why this is really happening but I'm just so happy that ANYTHING happened, finally. It reminded me of the value of getting in the trenches with my target audience and talking about the problem, which is why I started this in the first place, and not just relying on paid advertising to make it happen for me.

I don't really have anyone to share this with so thanks for listening.

Hope someone else out there in the lows of your journey gets a win to celebrate soon.

Hey everyone,

I recently started working for a brand-new startup. There’s no funding yet, and the only promise is stock options. We’re not launching until early next year (not promoting anything).

Here’s the situation:
The founder sent out an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) promising stock options 12 months after we launch, based on how much work we’ve put into the company. Right now, he’s unable to pay more money because he’s fighting stage four kidney cancer, and his savings are going toward his treatment.

The MOU states "15 to 20 hours a week for zero compensation," which doesn’t sit well with me. I’m not an entrepreneur, and the business world is new to me. I’m a software engineer—I can code fast and efficiently—but this feels like uncharted territory.

I’m currently negotiating with the founder. I told him I’m not looking for a salary but would prefer a percentage of the profit every month. He said no, explaining it could deter future investors. (Honestly, I’m skeptical about investors ever coming into the picture since this is a SaaS company.)

He keeps pushing the idea of stock options and a salary once the company goes full-time. In my eyes, stocks only have value once you sell them and have actual cash in hand.

He’s also offered $500–$1000 a month, but I’d honestly prefer that money go toward his chemo so he can focus on beating cancer. (he's not lying about cancer, its real for a fact).

So, here’s my question:

• Do you think stock options are fair compensation for a startup at this stage?
• Does this MOU seem reasonable, or does it feel like it could be taking advantage of the team?

I’d really appreciate any advice or perspectives from this community. Sorry for the long post, and thanks in advance!

I'm a founder of a UK-based tech startup and I'm looking to hire developers to help me build the product for the first time. I'm pre-funding of any kind and it's been just me so far, but I've come into contact with some recent coding bootcamp graduates who are interested in getting experience, so it would be a win-win if I could get some of them on board. It wouldn't be full time employment but more like a part-time project type of set up.

Because I don't have any funding right now, it would be pretty much impossible to pay them (I don't know exactly what I could afford in cash but it wouldn't be market value, although I'm not really sure what market value would be for new developers without experience like these?). So I'm wondering whether paying in equity would be an option, but I don't really know where to start and what I need to consider.

The company is very early stage, just going into validation from idea, no funding, no mvp, no customers. It is incorporated as a limited company and I own 75% and my spouse 25% but it is all just nominal. I am looking for equity funding though, so I'm not planning for that to be the case forever.

I'd really appreciate any advice.

Hi all,

I recently decided to go through with my biotech startup idea. Currently, I’m in the process of developing a pitch deck and business plan, and my partner is working on getting legal/financial connections together. This is a first for both of us, and frankly we do not 100% the exact way to go about this. We’re just going with it and are gonna try our hardest. For those who have successfully started a biotech company, is there any advice you can give me or is there any specific path/item I should square away ASAP?

I run a business offering AI Phone Receptionist services, and things have been growing steadily. The service automates scheduling, handles customer inquiries, and works 24/7, which clients love.

But as my business is growing I noticed that more clients are asking for extra features, like advanced integrations or very specific scripts for unique scenarios. Some of these requests make sense, they can pile up and start pulling us away from what we originally set out to do.

If you’re running a business like this, how do you manage? Do you set clear boundaries, charge for customizations, or have some other way to balance things?

I love to hear how others deal with this while still keeping clients happy and the business on track.

I have a new youtube channel I just launched (I do have a partnered channel as well) and was hoping to find a few people who may be interested in being interviewed for the new channel about their businesses or business in general or any other form of collaboration. Let me know if you are potentially interested!

For the past few months, I’ve been working on a web app—a Reddit clone—using Django for the backend and React for the frontend. The app focuses on stock market tickers, allowing users to post and discuss specific securities, similar to how Reddit functions.

This is my first time building something like this, and I don’t have a background in computer science. Now, I’m ready to take the next step and deploy my app, but I have no idea where to start.

I’ve heard about AWS, Azure, and other hosting platforms, but I’m not sure which one would be best for a beginner like me. I’d really appreciate any guidance, resources, or tutorials (e.g., YouTube videos, step-by-step guides) that can help me with deployment.

Thanks in advance for your help!

My entertainment startup team is creating a sizzle video to help make a pitch to investors. I'm trying to do some research on Google to find some successful examples, but I'm only finding video recordings of people's pitch presentations, not promotional videos to help pitch a startup.

I'd love some help surfacing some references or ideas of what others have done in this space.

If you've raised with the help of a video, would you be willing to share?

Or point me in the direction of similar things you've seen from other companies?

Grateful for any help. Thanks all!

Hello everyone, i am a marketer for a software service startup. Specializing in sales enablement with AI. My company is finishing an AI sales assistant platform “a beta version is available for free in the meanwhile” soon and we are going to launch the last features for it by January.

I am looking for software distribution companies in the Europe if anyone can help. Also if there’s any individual interested in distributing our platform I would welcome it.

Hi everyone,

I run a fiberglass planter manufacturing business based in India. We specialize in creating high-quality, decorative, and gardening planters.

While we’ve built a steady local presence, I’m looking for advice on how to take the next step in growing domestically. Specifically, I’d like help with:

1. Finding More Customers: How can I effectively reach more B2B and B2C clients? Are there marketing strategies or platforms that have worked well for similar businesses?
2. Connecting with Architects, Interior Designers, and Property Developers: These professionals are key to the planter market. How do I network with them or make my business more visible to them?
3. Scaling Domestically: What operational or marketing approaches should I consider to expand my reach across India?

I’d greatly appreciate any insights, suggestions, or resources that could help. If you’ve been in manufacturing, design, or related industries, your experience would be invaluable!

Hello All, I am using this as a little bit of a rant and to get some feedback.

I am currently a junior in college. I previously, in highschool and at the start of college, ran an Etsy 3D Printing store. I had an idea that I wrote down all those years ago for an e-commerce platform that allows 3D modelers to directly sell physical models without having to deal with manufacturing on their end. Think RedBubble but for 3D artists. I reintroduced myself to the idea and fully thought through it and now I think it is a viable startup idea. Over the past 3 years, I have had multiple Venture Capital and Incubator internships, working at some pretty large VCs, one having $500M in AUM. I have learned a lot through these internships, specifically on the deal sourcing side and raising side, and I think I would make a really valuable non-technical founder. I also have gained a really strong network of potential capital raisers, and my dad is a lawyer who works with Startups and Venture Capital firms to raise money.

However, I realize that I need to focus on product, acquiring customers, and proving that there is a demand for my e-commerce platform. I am apprehensive about reaching out to my network of VCs for mentoring/advice in case I want to raise with them in the future. My dad has been really supportive but has more experience in the raising aspect, and I am apprehensive about asking him to leverage his network because I am afraid of ruining his reputation (which is very good in his field/area). I also don't know how to find a technical founder, one who understands e-commerce and 3D printing but also has the skills to develop an e-commerce website.

I would love to hear what you guys would recommend me doing, next steps I can take, or criticisms.

DISCLAIMER: This is not a download request, selling, or promotion of the app. This is only a request for your feedback on the IDEA of the app. Is this app something you would like to see become a reality?

Hey guys, I have an app idea but I’m not sure if it’s something people would want. Which is where I need your help.

The Problem I'm Addressing

Social Media has made it really difficult to have great individual connections with people. Often, you are interacting with someone on a comment thread or reacting to someone else's post. More and more people feel isolated and lack real friendships.

There are thousands of friend-making apps out there. From well-known like "Bumble BFF" to relatively small and niche like "Hey VINA". But the problem in my opinion with all these apps is that they don't allow for genuine one-on-one interactions and exploring the other person's interests.

In apps like Bumble BFF, you have to make a profile with your interests, hobbies, etc. and you hope that people like your profile enough to match with you so you can send a message. This leads to few people with the "perfect profile" getting a lot of matches and many few barely a couple and puts pressure and anxiety on people who are really feeling lonely to make the "perfect profile". Similar to how skewed dating apps are. Conversely, if the friend-making app is based on common hobbies or interests, you're in a group setting where, depending on the size, it can be almost impossible to know any individual really well.

The Audience It's For

1. Those who are looking to make a real friendship but have found no success on other well-known friend-making apps.
2. Those who have trouble making conversation or keeping it going and would love a helping hand in improving this skill.
3. Those who are new to a place and don't know anyone there.
4. Those that feeling disconnected or looking for a fun, low-pressure way to make new connections.

My Solution

Rather than make another social media app masquerading as a friend-making app, My focus is on building a chat app instead where you get randomly matched with one and only one new person every week. And your goal is to get to know them as much as possible.

If the conversation stagnates, the built-in A.I. (I know, I know another "A.I. app") would suggest tips based on the conversation between the two users to keep the chat engaging. To better help you visualize my idea and answer any major questions in your mind, I have made a landing page. Let me know if you wanna check it out.

How You Can Help

What do you think of this idea? Does it sound like something you’d use or recommend to someone? Also, what features would you prioritize in a platform like this? Any feedback or suggestions would be incredibly helpful!

Thanks in advance! 😊

Hi :)

I'm a 31, from Eastern Europe, working in the mobile gaming as a marketing director for a major company. I've been in the industry for more than 7 years now, with previous background in iGaming. I would say my skillset evolves around product marketing, brand marketing, user research, sales enablements, etc.

I'm quite happy working in the company where I am right now and we have some very ambitious plans for 2025 - new game launches, expansions to other markets, etc. However, I am tempted for 2026, if all goes well, to pivot and look for a new challenge in a startup environment. My main reason for this desire is my wish to be a part of something new that has potential to grow and make an impact in its field.

Considering this, I have several questions:

1. Considering my skillset, what do you think I should focus on to make me more useful for a startup environment where, afaik, people juggle multiple tasks. Should I consider being better at UI/UX learning Canva for example, or becoming better at product management? Or maybe business development? Or something else? :)

2. I don't think I have a golden idea for a startup that will go to the moon (yet. :D ) so how would you approach finding partners to join at an early stage? I've seen event like EU-Startups Summit - what's your experience from similar events in terms of networking?

3. What would you say are the biggest risks and challenges I'd face when I switch from the corporate life I have now to moving to a startup environment? Besides the obvious ones of the risks associated with the project's success, having to wear multiple hats and not having the benefits of the big, corporate life.

Maybe lastly, I don't think I would be looking only at gaming or marketing-related startups, I would be more open to explore various areas where I could make an impact and be part of something with big potential.

Thanks

Hey guys l've posted my app on here before. I'm not gonna post again just in case it comes as spamming. The only issue is I need to build a community for the app as it relies on crowdsourced information.

Has anyone here built a community for their startup or app?

Thanks

Hey everyone,

I'm in the early stages of building an MVP for my startup, and could really use some advice and encouragement from this amazing community.

A bit about my startup: My company is focused on revolutionizing agricultural trade and beyond. Our vision is to empower smallholder farmers by connecting them with global buyers through a blockchain-integrated web portal.

The platform aims to provide transparency, secure transactions through smart contracts, and traceability for agricultural exports.

Currently, I'm bootstrapping the project and making good progress on the MVP, but l've hit some financial roadblocks. It's been a challenge balancing the development costs while maintaining the momentum of the project.

What I'm looking for:

Advice on getting investors after completing the MVP: For those of you who've been here before, how did you approach investors at this stage? What worked for you?

Insights on managing and overcoming financial constraints while building the MVP.

Suggestions on presenting blockchain as a key feature to investors who might not be tech-savvy.

My end goal is to not only attract investment but also ensure that this platform genuinely transforms the lives of farmers and provides buyers with a more reliable supply chain.

To anyone who has been in my shoes: how did you push through the tough times? Any advice, personal experiences, or strategies to keep going would mean the world.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this, and I'd love to hear your thoughts or even connect further if you're interested in this space.

Our startup is valued at ₹20 Cr and recently diluted 5% equity, raising ₹1 Cr in a friends-and-family round. I hold 85% equity, and my cofounder holds 15% prior to this dilution. He is unable to contribute to the company as per the expectatation and decided to leave.

Key Question:

wWe have mutually agreed to transfer:

1. 2.5% equity to him,
2. 12.5% shares back to the company or to me,

What are the tax implications for such a transfer in India? What's the best way forward. I want to ensure we handle this fairly and tax-efficiently. Looking forward to insights!

P.S. - Modifed the question to focus on my key concern.

I struggled getting good testimonials for months until I started doing this:

Just ask them ONE thing - "What was your biggest win after using [product]?"

No long forms. No rating scales. Just that one question.

The responses have been WAY more specific and useful than when I was asking for general "feedback" or "reviews".

Just wanted to share since this made such a difference for me. What's worked for you?

Hi everyone,

I’m a software engineer specializing in building websites and mobile apps. I recently left my job to start freelancing and pursue my dream of running my own business.

However, I’m struggling to find my first client, and it’s been quite challenging to get started. I’d really appreciate any advice, tips, or guidelines you can share to help me land my first project.

Whether it’s about marketing myself, finding the right platforms, or approaching potential clients, I’m open to all suggestions.

Thank you in advance for your support and guidance! 🙏

For over 7 years I worked as a full-stack developer, helping other companies bring their ideas to life. But one day, I thought “Why not try making my own dream come true?”. That’s when I decided to quit my job and start my own journey to becoming an entrepreneur.

At first, it wasn’t easy. I didn’t make any money for months and had no idea where to start. I felt lost. Then, I decided to focus on something popular and trending. AI was everywhere, and ChatGPT was the most used AI platform. So I looked into it and I found the OpenAI community forum where people had been asking for features that weren’t being added.

That gave me an idea. Why not build those features myself? I created a Chrome extension and I worked on some of the most requested features, like:

• Downloading the advanced voice mode and messages as MP3
• Adding folders to organize chats
• Saving and reusing prompts
• Pinning important chats
• Exporting chats to TXT/JSON files
• Deleting or archiving multiple chats at once
• Making chat history searches faster and better

It took me about a week to build the first version, and when I published it, the response was incredible. People loved it! Some even said things like, “You’re a lifesaver!” That’s when I realized I had something that could not only help people but also turn into a real business.

I kept the first version free to see how people would respond. Many users have been downloading my extension, which prompted Chrome to review it to determine if it qualified for the featured badge. I received the badge, and it has significantly boosted traffic to my extension ever since.

After all the positive feedback, I launched a paid version one month ago. A few minutes after publishing it, I made my first sale! That moment was so exciting, and it motivated me to keep going.

I already have over 4,000 users and have made more than $4,500 in my first selling month. I’ve decided to release 1-2 new features every month to keep improving the extension based on what users ask for.

I also created the same extension for Firefox and Edge users because many people have been asking for it!

I also started a Reddit community, where I share updates, sales, discount codes, and ideas for new features. It’s been awesome to connect with users directly and get their feedback.

Additionally, I’ve started working on another extension for Claude, which I’m hoping will be as successful as this one.

My message to you is this: never give up on your dreams. It might feel impossible at first, but with patience, hard work, and some creativity, you can make it happen.

I hope this inspires you to go after what you want. Good luck to all of us!

I'm researching how startups navigate their local and global ecosystems to find the resources they need (e.g., funding, talent, partnerships, or materials).

From your experience:

• What are the biggest challenges startups face when it comes to identifying or accessing these resources?
• Are there specific tools, platforms, or strategies you’ve found particularly helpful?
• Would a platform that maps ecosystem resources (inputs, outputs, collaborations) add value to startups like yours?

I’d love to hear your thoughts, especially if you’ve faced similar struggles or have found creative solutions. Your insights could shape how we approach this problem!

Just curious on what peoples thoughts are on this. It was popular by Facebook in the early 2010s. Do you consider the "move fast and break things" way of thinking outdated or ever more prevalent and if so, in what ways do you and your team do this? (or have modified this)

Hey everyone,

After 4 years of working as a software dev at a full-time job, I’m finally taking the leap and starting my own SaaS journey. It feels like a big step—exciting, but also a little intimidating to start something on my own.

SaaS has always fascinated me: the idea of building something scalable that solves real problems for people. I’ve worked on plenty of projects over the years—some super exciting, others just routine bug fixing—but I’ve always loved the process of turning raw ideas into something functional and (hopefully) valuable.

Now, I’m diving into it full-time. My plan is to help others—early-stage founders, solo entrepreneurs, or anyone sitting on a SaaS idea—bring their visions to life. I’ll be sharing what I learn, mistakes I make, and hopefully some wins along the way.

If you’ve ever launched (or even thought about launching) a SaaS product, I’d love to hear ur experiences! What worked? What didn’t? What’s one thing you wish you knew when you started?

And if you’ve got an idea you’ve been sitting on for a while but aren’t sure how to get it off the ground, feel free to DM me. I’m always up for chatting about ideas and brainstorming solutions.

Let’s talk SaaS! 💬

I need help with this. Paying customers is hard nowadays and we only get more free users for our tool. Now I am thinking if looking for small SEO agencies or maybe startups to partner with can help us breakeven...

Any suggestions and advise will help. Thank you!

Hey founders! 👋

I'm living that moment that perhaps many of you know - when you can't tell if you're banging your head against a wall or just knocking on the wrong door.

I'm an Italian founder, and over the last few months, I've been experiencing a consuming frustration. I built an AI-powered HR Tech solution, and every demo ends with "This is fantastic!", "This is exactly what we need!", followed by months of "We're waiting for approval", "The manager hasn't responded"... and then silence.

What's driving me crazy is that I can't figure out if:

• The product isn't really solving a problem (but why is all reviews positive?)
• The pricing is wrong (but $600 for 100 assessments seems reasonable)
• Or simply... it's Italy

I even have a $70k deal with a major Italian company that turned into ghosting after they accepted the economic proposal. Two weeks of silence after sending the contract. It's frustrating not even being able to get a clear "no".

I've saved up $4k and I'm seriously thinking about going all-in and flying to the States. Not to escape, but to understand once and for all if the problem is my product or if it's the Italian market which, as the only country with just one unicorn, might not be ready.

Has anyone experienced a similar situation? How did you figure out if it was time to seek validation in more dynamic markets? I need to connect with those who've been through this.

I'm not looking for shortcuts or magic solutions. Just the chance to test my product in a market where a "yes" means yes and a "no" means no. And maybe some guidance from those who've already made this leap.

Okay, I know i sound like every other kid on tiktok asking about jeans trying to make some "brand", but I've been spending the past month finding actual manufacturers on my own and have been quoted some RIDICULOUS prices. Ex. $375

If you guys could point me in the right direction I'd really appreciate it! I want to make some local affordable jeans, ex. $55, $70, something like that.

My designs aren't too complicated, and I'm really frustrated with the entire process of finding a manufacturer, and them being "the highest quality you could find".

I'm looking for prices and quality that would match brands like, overdrive denim, wood, moonless, myndskape, etc. I really need some help!

Hey founders,

Navigating the startup world can be overwhelming, especially when resources are scattered and hard to find. As a native Detroiter and lifelong Michigander, I’ve seen firsthand how challenging it is to uncover statewide resources like co-working spaces, funding opportunities, accelerators, grants, and events. If you’re not from a specific region or deeply connected, these opportunities can feel hidden.

So, I decided to create a free, searchable directory of Michigan startup resources. It’s designed for entrepreneurs and founders to quickly filter resources by region and tags, making it easy to find exactly what you need—no endless Googling or outdated lists.

This started as a personal project to help me organize everything, but I realized how much value it could provide to others in the startup ecosystem. My goal is to keep it updated and add even more resources over time.

I’d love your feedback:

• Does something like this sound useful for navigating your state’s startup ecosystem?
• Are there similar tools you’ve used or would recommend?

If you’re interested in checking it out or want to share your thoughts - let me know.

If you want someone who has experience in Administrative Support, Customer Service, Executive Assistance, Project Management, and a whole wide array of skills, I'm your guy! Moreover, you can definitely count on me to get any task done for you.

I thrive in fast-paced environments and am eager to help your company reach its goals by taking on projects and delivering top-notch results. I’m confident that I can contribute to your success and would love the opportunity to show you what I can do.

I am open to discussion about my rates, but a great ballpark figure for me would be $12/hr. Negotiable!

Try me out and see productivity and transparency like you've never seen before!

You could send me a DM on reddit if you're interested!

[Hiring/Seeking/Offering] Jobs / Co-Founders Weekly Thread

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Please use the following template:

• **[SEEKING / HIRING / OFFERING]** (Choose one)
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I have a sole-member LLC which I created for a product that I worked for, but never launched. This product is on pause now.

I am working on a separate product now, which is not connected to the initial one (old - communication analysis vs now and new - beauty app).

Should I close my LLC and create a new one for a new product?

Okay here's the rundown. My co-founder and I created our startup almost two years ago. Through some pivots we found something that can sell but it's a B2G product that has long lead times. Anyway we've secured a $100k contract with a state DOT. The problem is we won't get paid until late spring. My personal runway will be exhausted by March (I have a wife, kids, and mortgage so I have a hard stop). We're considering using the contract as a basis to raise funds but we also know that the process may take many months to close even if we start today.

My preferred tech stack is postgres -> FastAPI -> Android (Kotlin) but I also have pretty deep C/C++ experience in the field of machine perception. The problem is I've never been an independent contractor and I don't really know where to start to line up something to bridge the gap.

Any suggestions?