The Most Successful Startups That Started as Side Projects

The journey of a startup is often filled with unexpected twists and turns, but some of the most remarkable stories are those of successful companies that began as side projects. The lack of initial pressure to succeed, the freedom to experiment, and the organic validation of ideas can sometimes lead to unexpected breakthroughs. Let’s take a closer look at five such success stories: Product Hunt, Groupon, Twitter, Craigslist, and Unsplash.

Product Hunt

Product Hunt started as an email list curated by Ryan Hoover, sharing interesting new tech products with friends. Eventually, Hoover transformed this side project into a full-fledged website, becoming the go-to platform for discovering the latest mobile apps, websites, and technology products. Product Hunt’s community-driven approach has made it a popular hub for tech enthusiasts and a launchpad for aspiring startups. Its success story emphasizes the power of authentic engagement and community building in the tech ecosystem.

Groupon

Groupon, the renowned online deal marketplace, initially started as a side project called ‘The Point’. It was a platform for collective action, allowing users to start campaigns to raise money or advocate for a cause. However, it was the spinoff idea of group purchasing to unlock deals that took off, transforming into what we now know as Groupon. The success of Groupon underscores the importance of adapting and pivoting based on user responses and market trends.

Twitter

Twitter was born from a day-long brainstorming session by the podcast platform Odeo. The team was exploring side project ideas when Jack Dorsey suggested a short status update service. This side project quickly gained traction and eventually outshone its parent company, becoming the globally recognized microblogging site we know today. Twitter’s success underlines the potential that simple, unique ideas hold when executed well.

Craigslist

What started as Craig Newmark’s email listing of local events in San Francisco in 1995 has turned into Craigslist, a leading online classifieds website. Its simple design, community policing, and wide range of categories have drawn a large user base, making it one of the top job boards in the world. Craigslist’s transformation from a side project to a major player in the digital space is a testament to the power of user-centric design and functionality.

Unsplash

Unsplash began as a Tumblr blog, where Mikael Cho, co-founder of the creative agency Crew, shared leftover photos from a photoshoot. The high-resolution images were available for free, quickly attracting a massive audience. Recognizing the demand for quality, royalty-free images, Unsplash was developed into a standalone platform. Today, it’s one of the most prominent sources of free, high-quality images on the web, highlighting the potential in addressing niche market needs.

Conclusion

These startup success stories teach us that often, transformative ideas come when you least expect them. These side projects turned startups were born out of personal needs, experimental brainstorming, and a willingness to pivot and evolve. The stories of Product Hunt, Groupon, Twitter, Craigslist, and Unsplash remind us that sometimes, starting small and staying adaptable can lead to tremendous success.