Reddit: From Sandwich App to Internet's Front Page

Happy Monday! In the world of tech startups, only a few stories are as inspiring as that of Reddit, which most of you all might know as a large online forum. Today, we will dive into how it began as a simple idea between two college friends and has since grown into one of the most visited websites in the world, demonstrating the power of innovation, adaptability, and perseverance.

In 2005, University of Virginia students Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian had a vision: to create a mobile app for ordering sandwiches. Little did they know that this idea would lead them down a path to creating one of the internet's most influential platforms. When they pitched their sandwich app concept to Y Combinator's Paul Graham, they received an unexpected response.

Instead of green-lighting their original idea, Graham challenged them to create something more ambitious. Something that he called: "the front page of the Internet".

Taking Graham's advice to heart, Huffman and Ohanian quickly pivoted. They envisioned an online bulletin board where users could submit and vote on content, effectively curating the internet's most interesting links and discussions. The core of Reddit's functionality was brilliantly simple:

1. Users submit web links and text posts

2. Other users vote content up or down

3. The most popular content rises to the top

This user-driven approach to content curation set Reddit apart from other social platforms of the early 2000’s.

Reddit joined Y Combinator's first batch of startups in the summer of 2005. The founders worked tirelessly to build the platform, with Huffman coding the site from scratch. In a creative move to jumpstart activity, they even created thousands of fake accounts to make the site appear more populated in its early days.

But soon enough, their hard work paid off. By August 13, 2005, Reddit had its first day where user-submitted content filled the entire front page, a milestone Huffman still remembers fondly.

Reddit's growth was rapid and impressive. Just 16 months after its launch, the site caught the attention of media giant Condé Nast. In a life-changing deal, Huffman and Ohanian sold Reddit to Condé Nast in 2006 and at the young age of 23, the co-founders became multimillionaires. However, their journey with Reddit was far from over. Both continued to be involved with the site in various capacities over the years, with Huffman eventually returning as CEO.

Today, Reddit stands as a testament to the power of user-generated content and community-driven platforms. It has grown to become:

• The 5th most visited site in the US

• A platform with over 430 million active monthly visitors

• A hub for countless communities covering every topic imaginable

The Reddit success story offers valuable insights for students looking to enter the world of tech startups:

Stay on your toes: You have to stay on your toes in tech. Having conviction and belief in your ideas is important, but it is equally important to pivot towards a better option when it arises, even if it diverts from your original vision. Do not get too invested in your ideas to the point where alternatives turn into noise. Huffman and Ohanian's willingness to abandon their original idea led to something much bigger, and by staying on your toes you could have the next Reddit success story.

Don’t enter pivot hell: While it is important to stay on your toes, it is also important to not jump around too much or else you could enter what is known as “Pivot Hell”. Moving around too much can lead to a loss of vision and direction within a startup, and it is important to, when pivoting, take time to understand why you are pivoting and if you have real confidence in the new direction you are taking. take a look at the video below to see what experts at Y-Combinator have to say about pivot hell and avoiding it. (If the timestamp does not work click here).

Be receptive: In Reddit’s story, the founders’ ability to be receptive to Paul Graham's advice was crucial in shaping Reddit's direction and ultimate rise. While it is important to not take any and all advice you are given, you should keep an open mind to ideas that might challenge your vision or beliefs.

Do things that don’t scale: Do not be afraid to do things that do not scale early on, so many of the worlds biggest platforms and products have been built on tedious early growth. Take a look at the video below from the founders of DoorDash talking about doing things that don’t scale!

For students looking to start their own ventures, the Reddit story demonstrates the importance of networking, being open to feedback, and the potential of starting early in your career. Who knows? The next big tech innovation might just come from a college project or a late-night brainstorming session with friends…

Hey! Thanks for tuning in this Monday, and here is part 2 of our startup spotlight segment. This week’s spotlight is…. Hadrian!

Hadrian is revolutionizing aerospace and defense manufacturing with its fully automated precision machining factories. Founded in 2020, this Los Angeles-based startup aims to streamline the production of complex metal parts for rockets, satellites, and defense systems. By leveraging robotics and AI, Hadrian reduces lead times and costs for aerospace companies like SpaceX and Lockheed Martin. With over $200 million in funding from investors like Andreessen Horowitz and Lux Capital, Hadrian is on a mission to modernize the industrial base and ensure the U.S. remains a leader in advanced manufacturing.

If you’re interested in learning more about Hadrian’s work, take a look at the documentary attached in the X post below!

Thanks for tuning in this week! We appreciate your curiosity and engagement, and we’ll see you again on Friday with more insights on the latest in tech and innovation.