Ask HN: Examples of successful startups done by software houses?

hnlurker22 · on June 30, 2016

Two Toasters did the airbnb apps.

http://thenextweb.com/apps/2012/11/18/from-ios-to-android/

karolisd · on June 30, 2016

Given how many of these app development shops there are out there, it's surprising that one of them hasn't hit a home run.

There's probably something inherent in the people, structure, and incentives that prevents it from happening.

PaulHoule · on June 28, 2016

You mean: company A has an idea, they go to company B to implement it? What about ranker.com?

wsieroci · on June 28, 2016

dyeje · on June 28, 2016

I think alot of it depends on how the deal is structured. If the software house doesn't have ownership in the final product, then the incentives just aren't going to line up and the product will suffer.

matiasp · on June 29, 2016

You have some Startup Studios with some success.

Check http://buildtogether.co/ 'Everything about Startup Studios'

bnchrch · on June 30, 2016

slack by metalab is a great example imo.

alistproducer2 · on June 28, 2016

Tinder comes to mind.

coralreef · on June 28, 2016

Wasn't Tinder done by IAC owned incubator, not a 3rd party software house?

pyb · on June 28, 2016

fog creek / trello

homoSapiens · on June 29, 2016

I'm not sure if this counts. Fog creek owns Trello.