- Startups - Daniel Ha, founder of Disqus | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Discuss, a commenting platform initially dismissed as a "stupid idea", has grown to become a major player in the industry, with 400 million unique users and a profitable business model.

Key Insights

• 👤 Discuss has achieved remarkable success, reaching 400 million unique users and becoming a valuable platform for publishers.
• 😫 The platform's focus on real-time communication during emergencies sets it apart from competitors.
• 🎓 Discuss is expanding into the finance and education sectors, helping organizations ensure continuity of operations.

Transcript

this week on another this week in startups I don't even have to read the teleprompter I can do a blind Daniel ha from discuss is on the program another New Yorker wads into the Shark Tank will he be eaten alive Bala in his insights and Mike broco is back with the news 11 days that from the launch conference it is booming going to hear about all tha... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Discuss overcome initial skepticism and become a major player in the industry?

Discuss addressed concerns about SEO, data ownership, and user engagement to gain trust from publishers. The platform's organic growth and success led to widespread adoption.

Q: Does Discuss have a business model?

Yes, Discuss offers add-ons that provide premium services to publishers, such as analytics and integrations. They also plan to help publishers monetize their platforms in the future.

Q: How does Discuss differentiate itself from competitors like Facebook?

Discuss focuses on publishers and aims to provide a secure and private communication channel during emergencies. Facebook's alternatives lack the same level of trust and control for publishers.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Discuss is a real-time, reliable service that enables organizations to be informed and connected during emergencies.

• The platform offers a simple and actionable continuity plan, ensuring businesses can operate even during disruptions.

• It has gained traction in the finance and education sectors, with plans to expand further.