Learn from what other companies have done

Founded in 2009 by Ethan Brown, Beyond Meat was driven by the mission to create food products that offer the benefits of plant-based consumption while reducing the environmental impact of animal agriculture. The company aims to address the growing demand for sustainable, ethical, and health-conscious food options.

Founded in 2014 by Emily Weiss, Glossier originated from the beauty blog "Into The Gloss." The brand was born out of the idea to create skincare and makeup products developed with direct input from potential customers who were readers of the blog. This unique approach capitalized on an existing engaged community to validate and inspire product development.

Founded in 2008 by Jack Newton and Rian Gauvreau, Clio was born out of the idea to bring cloud-based technology to law firms, which traditionally relied on paper records and on-premise software. Clio aimed to transform the legal practice by improving efficiency, accessibility, and the client experience through innovative technology.

Founded in 2006 by Brian Halligan and Dharmesh Shah out of MIT, HubSpot pioneered the concept of inbound marketing—drawing customers in through content rather than pushing products with traditional advertising. The company addressed the need for an integrated approach to marketing, sales, and customer service in the digital age.

Founded in 2007 by Lynn Jurich, Ed Fenster, and Robert Kreamer, Sunrun pioneered the solar-as-a-service model, which allows homeowners to go solar without the high upfront cost of purchasing a system outright. The company faced challenges such as regulatory hurdles, market penetration difficulties, and the task of educating consumers about the benefits and feasibility of home solar energy.

Founded in 2012 by Alex Tew and Michael Acton Smith, Calm was created to address the increasing global need for accessible mental health and wellness tools. With a focus on simplicity and user experience, Calm has developed into a leading app for meditation, sleep, and relaxation.

Founded in 2016 by Ivan Zhao and Simon Last, Notion emerged from the need for a unified workspace that could replace disparate tools for notes, tasks, databases, and wikis. Its mission was to make collaboration and productivity seamless and intuitive across devices and teams.

Founded in 2006 by Tobias Lütke, Daniel Weinand, and Scott Lake, Shopify began as a solution to the founders' own frustration with existing e-commerce platforms. It has since grown into a comprehensive platform that allows businesses to create online stores, manage products, process orders, and analyze sales data.

Founded in 2010 by Ben and Dan Miller, Fundrise introduced a novel concept to the real estate market by allowing individual investors to invest in commercial real estate projects through its online platform with as little as $500. The company aimed to democratize real estate investing, traditionally the domain of wealthy individuals and institutional investors, by leveraging technology to reduce fees and increase accessibility.

Founded in 2013 by Tony Xu, Stanley Tang, Andy Fang, and Evan Moore, DoorDash started as a small startup aiming to deliver more than just food: convenience, time-saving, and a wide selection of eateries to its customers' doorsteps. It faced initial challenges such as market competition, operational scalability, and ensuring fast, reliable service.