Ryan Mickle on Startups
@ryanm on Twitter
I’ve taken ideas to launch for 17 years.
In 2007 I dropped out of business school at orientation and moved to the Bay Area to work on “Web 2.0 stuff.” That week my first project was featured in the NY Times, and a few other interesting places.
In 2010 I started Yardsale, which was funded by Y Combinator as part of their S11 batch and a slew of top Silicon Valley investors. Our moms also invested, which was cool.
In 2015 we launched FOBO as part of Yardsale.
In 2016 I helped the producers and writers behind HBO Silicon Valley write the show’s 3rd season.
In 2017 I launched Founderkit to help startup founders find the best tools to build their businesses.
In 2017 I moved in TN to help the billionaire owner of Lonely Planet prototype and build new products. He’d spent 5 years and millions already without any products in beta. We had a new product in testing within 30 days.
In 2018 I bootstrapped Brokerkit to help real estate brokers grow their real estate agent teams. We sold the company in 2019.
In 2021 I bought Polymail, a YC (S16) company, Product Hunt’s Mac App of the Year and I continue to run it to help grow the product and community.
In between all of these, I’ve worked as a consultant, prototyping, testing, launching, and optimizing over 40 products. I’ve also been grateful to have the opportunity to invest in more than a dozen startups, including Mercury.
I’m currently living in Nashville and San Diego with my Australian Shepherd and co-pilot, Buck, when I’m not satisfying my addiction to Barry’s, or driving too fast.