TE
科技回声
首页24小时热榜最新最佳问答展示工作
GitHubTwitter
首页

科技回声

基于 Next.js 构建的科技新闻平台,提供全球科技新闻和讨论内容。

GitHubTwitter

首页

首页最新最佳问答展示工作

资源链接

HackerNews API原版 HackerNewsNext.js

© 2025 科技回声. 版权所有。

New Startup Now Pulling In Over $100k in Monthly Revenues

282 点作者 kumph大约 14 年前
I write this not to boast, but for two simple reasons:<p>1) To inspire other YC-rejects, especially single founders.<p>2) To recruit hackers to help me bring this company to the next level. By which I mean, of course: total world domination.<p>I came up with a simple idea for a iPhone app to recommend iPhone apps at the end of the summer, began working on it the fall, and applied to YC shortly thereafter. As a single founder, I expected to be rejected, but thought it couldn't hurt to apply. The rejection email came on November 2nd, and I got the app into the store a week later.<p>At that point, it was pretty clear the app wasn't ready for prime time, so I worked on it and racked my brain for a viable near-term business model and marketing strategy.<p>This was sorted out and tested in microcosm by the end of the year. I actually pinged pg on New Years' Eve with my modest but promising stats, requesting late acceptance to YC. Unfortunately he replied that it was just too late, and so I soldiered on. I began marketing internationally, in English speaking countries, rolling the eventual profits from one successful country-targeted campaign to go after the next larger country in my list. Ireland. Success. Australia. Success... Canada.. The U.K...<p>Finally, on the night of February 15, I went after the U.S. That was a pretty intense night. But all worked as predicted. And one month later, it continues to work.<p>Over 800,000 downloads to date, 4.5 star rating in the store and a nice constant revenue stream of over $100k per month. Check it out: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id399128529?mt=8<p>That's as a single-founder, with no investors, and only the advice I could squeeze out of my friends.<p>But this is just the beginning.<p>Of course there will be: An iPad app. Android. Internationalization. Vast improvement of the recommendation algorithm. An in-house advertising system. Marketing pushes to get the app to at least 10x users by the end of the year.<p>We're also going to expand this from just apps to books, movies, music, and so on. Cars? Fashion? Let's see what works.<p>So there's our basic business plan for all the world to see. And we're not afraid. Go ahead, try and steal it. You know it's all about execution and position at this point. And we've got an excellent position and fantastic execution.<p>But who's this "we"? Right now it's just me---the founder---and the business assistant I just hired. An excellent developer friend will be hopping on board soon.<p>But really: I want YOU! Quit your Google! Quit your Facebook! Quit your Apple! Let's forget about getting acquired and build something with which to acquire! Come with me, fellow hackers, and let's conquer the world!<p>Sound like fun? Send your resume, along with a brief cover letter explaining why you're interested, to:<p>jobs@kumph.com

34 条评论

rms大约 14 年前
Best startup hiring post I have seen on HN in years.
评论 #2318964 未加载
gyardley大约 14 年前
Are you making money from iTunes affiliate fees and simply passing a cut of it on to your users, or are you charging application developers for placement?<p>Right now the biggest cost-per-install networks are doing 50x to 100x your revenue and growing quickly, and they're hiring every experienced salesperson they can possibly find. That's your true competition for app developers' advertising dollars, not the little stuff like 'Daily App Dream'. You probably need sales more than developers.
评论 #2319434 未加载
评论 #2319520 未加载
评论 #2319411 未加载
评论 #2319518 未加载
JCB_K大约 14 年前
"Let's forget about getting acquired and build something with which to acquire!"<p>Love that.
评论 #2320066 未加载
kumph大约 14 年前
I see that my title has been edited by one of the admins at HN.<p>Just so you know, the original title was:<p>YC W11 Reject Now Pulling In Over $100k in Monthly Revenues<p>I like that much better, but it conflicted with the submission guidelines, per emmett's comment.
kingsidharth大约 14 年前
This is so much better than those YC-rejects bragging about raising a fund as if that's a prerequisite for success. A positive cash flow is something to brag about for sure. Congratulations!
评论 #2320208 未加载
taphangum大约 14 年前
Awesome-ness. I love these kind of stories.<p>I'm actually working on an iPhone game, Link:<a href="http://beathub.net" rel="nofollow">http://beathub.net</a>. Was rejected by YC before (not on this idea though).<p>Would love to talk more via email about possible partnerships, advice you may have.<p>Just started an Ask HN thread also for those who are interested in offering their advice on this: <a href="http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2318920" rel="nofollow">http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2318920</a><p>Edit: Just got downvoted, i know how this comment can be seen as self promotional but it isnt. My intention is to be brief and to the point.
minalecs大约 14 年前
Awesome work man. I'm with you. I've been seeing this in the top 10 free apps. Can you share any insight into your marketing strategy, and how you got some traction ?
评论 #2319383 未加载
xuki大约 14 年前
Dude, get a designer on board.
评论 #2319450 未加载
joebo大约 14 年前
100k per month with a free app? Can you elaborate on the revenue model?
评论 #2319495 未加载
emmett大约 14 年前
"In titles, please don't describe things by their relation to YC unless they're actually associated with YC."<p><a href="http://ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html" rel="nofollow">http://ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html</a>
评论 #2319844 未加载
OoTheNigerian大约 14 年前
Clickable <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id399128529?mt=8" rel="nofollow">http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id399128529?mt=8</a>
nischalshetty大约 14 年前
Ok, I am going to do step 1. Apply to YC and get rejected.
bvi大约 14 年前
Something really refreshing about this post. Congratulations on your success, and best of luck!
fsipie大约 14 年前
Can anyone explain this business model to me? I find it very confusing, both in terms of how it works and why people sign up to this. This is not a criticism, as obviously it's brilliant and profitable, but rather an indication of my own limited knowledge 8)<p>Does it work like this?<p>1. Devs pay to feature their apps in this app 2. Users install the app and can like &#38; install apps for points 3. After a certain amount of points (which seems huge) a user gets a free itunes gift voucher
weaponizedgames大约 14 年前
Kumph, congrats, but what's your plan for when Apple clones your features and look-n-feel to be included inside their own App Store app?
chocoheadfred大约 14 年前
I wonder if you make make more adding functionality from another app that I use that looks at your installed apps and suggests new ones based on that. Seems like you take age into account. Why not other factors like gender, interests, hobbies...in addition to popularity. All of these would be able to deliver better recommended apps. I would hesitate on just featuring the apps that pay you the most. Maybe hold out on those really good ones until you are able to prove success, which you might be able to do now. Too bad I can't see the app on my droid.
dazzla大约 14 年前
I'm a single founder with no investment working on mobile apps for daily deals. I've been working on my mobile apps (iOS and Android) for longer and I'm not getting anywhere near that kind of revenue. I would love to talk to you about marketing. I'm very inspired by your post. Any chance you have time for a chat?
nhangen大约 14 年前
Love the bravado. And further proof that building something on the iOS platform is a great way to make some money.
zone411大约 14 年前
Congrats. Are you sure that any possible additional competition because of this post won't matter to you, though? I am involved with some successful and already well-established websites and the last thing I would do is share how much they make on here.
评论 #2318975 未加载
eevilspock大约 14 年前
Great. Another idea that taps into human irrationality and weakness.<p>Maybe Netflix should stop trying to come up with quality recommendations, and come up with a scheme like yours. The real reason to watch movies is to get paid a few bucks someday.
us大约 14 年前
I assume current monetization is by in-app ads? I came to this assumption base on the fact that the app is free and I have yet to download it. Either that or you charge people to be in your app.
jpug98大约 14 年前
great post. i have a YC2011 application ready to go, and, as a single founder, have been wondering if I should apply. Yes, I know, it’s next week. I too expect to be rejected but think it is worth the shot. And, to follow up on the end of the post, personally, YC isn’t about the money or the mentorship. It’s all about who you know. All I know is that I have the next big idea, execution is 100% of being a business and I think YC offers a lot of those resources that you can’t find in a lot of other places.
评论 #2330541 未加载
ScottBurson大约 14 年前
Very cool. What's particularly interesting, I think, is that it's still possible to have a big hit like this in the iOS ecosystem, <i>if</i> you understand that ecosystem very well.
jswinghammer大约 14 年前
This is a pretty good idea. It connects devs who want to sell apps with people looking to buy more apps. I am always looking for a cool game or app. Congrats!
评论 #2319992 未加载
hnfwerr大约 14 年前
Are you applying to YC again? (for the 2011 summer batch)?
评论 #2319066 未加载
评论 #2320051 未加载
richcollins大约 14 年前
It's too bad the app sucks at its advertised purpose (finding good apps). I was excited when I read the description and saw how many people were using it.
评论 #2320234 未加载
lubos大约 14 年前
congrats man, I'm so happy for you. your attitude is great, finally someone who dreams real big! go ahead and thumbs up
nerd_in_rage大约 14 年前
So how much profit are you making? 100k/month is no good if you're not making any money and paying it all out.
Retailslave大约 14 年前
Can I come along for the ride just to observe and learn?<p>I know nothing and have no skills.
OoTheNigerian大约 14 年前
Is this the same app someone asked for a review of a while ago?
sinaiman大约 14 年前
This is so awesome and inspiring, congrats!
myearwood大约 14 年前
HN changed the title of the post. That's not cool.
评论 #2323615 未加载
Estragon大约 14 年前
Not exactly a YC-reject in the usual sense, if you just missed the application deadline...
评论 #2318997 未加载
评论 #2318999 未加载
vlad99大约 14 年前
This is not a solid business that might get acquired in the end so they are not interested in 1 hit wonders.
评论 #2319063 未加载
评论 #2319069 未加载
评论 #2319527 未加载