Ever heard of a startup founder Rickrolling their way into Y Combinator? That’s just the start of a wild journey involving rejection, grit, and building a tool that’s transforming how software is made. Let’s dive into the story of Amjad Masad, founder of Replit, whose rollercoaster tale is both hilarious and inspiring.
From Internet Cafes to the Silicon Valley Spotlight
Amjad’s journey began in Jordan, coding out of internet cafes, where every session meant resetting his environment from scratch. This relentless inefficiency planted the seed for Replit—a platform that lets anyone, from beginners to seasoned developers, code, build, and host applications entirely in a browser.
Replit’s unique selling point? It makes programming accessible, even for non-coders. As Amjad himself says, “I am not a programmer, but I can now create software.” This ethos has resonated with millions of users worldwide, making Replit a tool for coders and dreamers alike.
The YC Rejections (and the Rickroll)
Before Replit reached global acclaim, Amjad faced repeated rejection from Y Combinator (YC). The YC application process is infamous for its intensity: a brief form, a video, and a 10-minute rapid-fire interview. After three rejections, Amjad’s fourth application included a cheeky Rickroll in the video submission. Imagine the interviewers clicking on a link expecting details about the startup—only to find Rick Astley crooning, “Never Gonna Give You Up.”
Did it help? Not exactly. YC was furious—but intrigued. In a plot twist, Paul Graham, the founder of YC, personally vouched for Amjad’s work, and Replit finally made it into the program. Moral of the story? If at first you don’t succeed, troll responsibly.
Replit: The Shopify for Software
Replit has been dubbed “Shopify for software creators.” Just as Shopify simplified e-commerce, Replit is democratizing software creation. With tools powered by AI, even those who can’t code can now create apps. Amjad explains, “Building apps on Replit can cost $25, compared to $100,000 of developer time.”
The platform has evolved into a powerhouse, with over 35 million users and exponential growth in hosted applications. Replit’s latest AI Agent takes the platform to the next level—it doesn’t just help you code; it builds the app for you. A user quipped, “It’s like having an employee who works instantly and never needs a break.”
The Big Takeaway: Do What Makes the Best Story
Throughout the journey, Amjad’s guiding principle has been simple: “Do what makes the best story.” Whether hacking into his university database (true story) or building the first browser-based coding platform, he has leaned into challenges with relentless curiosity and creativity.
As Replit grows, it’s clear the platform is shaping a future where anyone can turn ideas into apps. From solo developers to global teams, the barriers to entry are falling, and Replit is leading the charge.
Join the Conversation
What do you think about Replit’s mission to democratize software creation? Have you ever used a tool that felt like magic? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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Another great post on the same topic:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ammaarsreshi_over-the-weekend-i-built-a-perplexity-clone-ugcPost-7282037055814078464-01gK