Where 14 Of The Top Internet Businesses Got Started
Companies Started in Dorm Rooms and Garages
Today I decided to show everyone where 14 of my favorite top internet businesses were started. Just goes to show you that you don’t have to start with an office etc. A good number started from dorm rooms and their bedrooms with just a laptop so stop dreaming and start achieving!
When I started my first internet business I was still at school and was only 15 years old and would work from any where possible to make my dream of becoming a millionaire young a reality. I would work from school, my bed room, internet cafes and even at friends houses and I would make it fun – it’s 2010, we don’t have to be running a businesses about something we don’t enjoy anymore.
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Some of the images are a little dodgy — but remember 12 years ago we did not have the highly sophisticated digital cameras we have today 
Where Facebook Was Started
Today 1) Website: Facebook
Founder: Mark Zuckerberg
Place started the business: At his Harvard Dorm Room
The birth of Facebook is related to Zuckerberg’s appetite for hacking.
He got into limelight when he refused $1 billion offer from Yahoo. Later on he settled with $240 million dollar deal, giving Microsoft 1.6% stake in Facebook raising the valuation to $15 billion.
Where Facebook.com Was Started
Where Google Was Started
2) Website: Google
Founder: Larry Page and Sergey Brin
Place started the business: In a garage
Larry and Sergey started on a name BackRub. But Larry and Sergey decide that the BackRub search engine needs a new name. After some brainstorming, they go with Google — a play on the word “googol,” a mathematical term for the number represented by the numeral 1 followed by 100 zeros. The use of the term reflects their mission to organize a seemingly infinite amount of information on the web.
The Garage Google Was Started In
Where Runescape Was Started
3) Website: Runescape
Founder: Andrew Gower
Place started the business: From a bedroom in his parents’ house in Nottingham.
He has involved in coding for games since his childhood. He had a penchant for dungeon gaming. He initially started RunEscape as a hobby, and later monetized his website and turned out to be a successful business venture.
The Bedroom Where Runescape.com Was Started
Where PopCap Games Was Started
4) Website: PopCap Games
Founders: John Vechey, along with Brien Fiete and Jason Kapalka
Place started the business: In his office
John Vechey, along with Brien Fiete and Jason Kapalka founded Popcap games in the year 2000. They earlier worked with internet gaming sites like flipside and pogo. Their first gaming product was Bejeweled, which became a big hit, and received numerous awards.
Where PopCapGames.com Was Started
Where Threadless Was Started
5) Website: Threadless
Founder: Jack Nickell along with Jacob Dehart
Place started the business: From a studio apartment
Jack Nickell along with Jacob Dehart ( both college dropouts ), started threadless when they were still working on their regular job. Both the partners put a modest $500 as their initial investment. Now the company has annual revenue to the extent of $50 million.
Where Threadless.com Was Started
Where BizChair Was Started
6) Website: Biz Chair
Founder: Sean Belnick
Place started the business: From his bedroom
He started with $500, with an initial inventory of 50 products. Now the company has 75 employees and sells more than 25000 products online. He sells office furniture, home furniture, school furniture and medical equipment in online shop. Microsoft, Google and American Idol are amongst some of his notable clients.
Where BizChair.com Was Started
Where Digg Was Started
7) Website: Digg
Founder: Kevin Rose
Place started the business: In his apartment.
David Prager (The Screen Savers, This Week in Tech), originally wanted to call the site “Diggnation”, but Kevin Rose wanted a simpler name. He chose the name “Digg”, because users are able to “dig” stories, out of those submitted, up to the front page. The site was called “Digg” instead of “Dig” because the domain name “dig.com” had been previously registered by the Walt Disney Internet Group.
Where Digg.com Was Started
Where PlentyOfFish Was Started
8) Website: PlentyOfFish
Founder: Markus Frind
Place started the business: In his office
Back in 2001 after his birthday someone in the office introduced him to online dating sites. He went back to his desk and checked out udate.com and kiss.com and lavalife/web personals. He was bored and He wanted to chat with people. He was really annoyed when he found out you had to pay for everything, he ended up telling the girl who introduced him to the sites that he could do better and make them for free, so he went and registered Plentyoffish.com.
Where PlentyOfFish.com Was Started
Where Voltage Was Started
9) Website: Voltage
Founder: Rishi Kacker and Matt Pauker
Place started the business: In a basement office in the engineering building
Rishi Kacker and Matt Pauker worked on the technology as a summer research project while attending Stanford. They entered a business-plan competition they won the contest. With the help of some seasoned executives, the two have created a thriving security-software business with more than 130 big-business customers and 75 employees. “It’s still amazing to me,” says Pauker.
Where Voltage.com Was Started
Where YouTube Was Started
10) Website: YouTube
Founder: Chad Hurley
Place started the business: In his office
After that fateful dinner party, where Hurley and Chen wanted to create a simpler way to share their videos of the night, they immediately went to work at the office creating the answer. “In February, we started developing the product,” says Hurley. “In May, we had our first public preview. And in December, we officially launched YouTube. By that time we were serving over three million videos a day.”
Where YouTube.com Was Started
Where FastHost Was Started
11) Website: FastHost
Founder: Andrew Michael
Place started the business: From his bedroom
He became a multi-millionaire after selling an internet business he started as a teenager. He started up Fasthosts as an internet project for a sixth form project at the age of 17. With the sale of Fasthosts, Mr Michael’s wealth has rocketed to £47m.
Where FastHost.com Was Started
Where WhatEverLife Was Started
12) Website: WhatEverLife
Founder: Ashley Qualls
Place started the business: started at her kitchen office.
Started her business in 2004 with an $8 domain name and an old computer, at the age of just fourteen. She didn’t know she was starting a business at the time – she thought she was just creating an easy way to share her cool MySpace background designs with her friends.
Where WhatEverLife.com Was Started
Where eBay Was Started
13) Website: eBay
Founder: Pierre Omidyar
Place started the business: In the home of Pierre Omidyar
There aren’t many sites on the Internet that can claim the success that eBay has enjoyed. The first name eBay used was Echo Bay Technology. When the company tried to register the domain name echobay.com, they found that it was already in use. They shortened the name to eBay.com and the Website was born.
Where eBay.com Was Started
Where LinkedIn Was Started
14) Website: LinkedIn
Founder: Reid Hoffman
Place started the business: In the living room
LinkedIn was officially founded in 2003. The site was launched on May 5th (affectionately referred to by employees as “Cinco de LinkedIn”) when the five founders invited about 350 of their most important contacts to join. At the end of the first month in operation, LinkedIn had a total of 4,500 members in the network. LinkedIn’s first “real” office was on Shoreline Road in Mountain View.
Where Linkedin.com Was Started
I hope the list has inspired you and has made it clear you can start anywhere!
To Our Success in 2010,
Michael Dunlop
PS. Where did you start you first business?
About Michael Dunlop
I'm Michael, I created this site back in 2009 and since then it's received over a million visitors from all around the world. We offer tutorials and inspiration for online entrepreneurs wanting to achieve more.
100 comments so far… Leave a reply
Een Rockstar
August 12, 2009 11:50 AM
As I start my biz from zero(everything was zero) so my 1st place is in my bedroom..
Lillea Woodlyns
August 12, 2009 12:10 PM
This is a fun read! I started my online business in a tiny (maybe 350 sq foot) 3-room suite beside the laundry area for the building. Noisy! lol I don't have the numbers that these guys do yet, but give me a bit more time and who knows :)
kayt romeo
August 12, 2009 12:28 PM
Thats interesting. nice post.
Scott
August 12, 2009 12:32 PM
Ebay looks kinda like it had a bit of backing from the start, just going by the decor and what not, still, I guess none of it really matters once the business gets as popular as some of them have.
Robert Avila
August 12, 2009 12:45 PM
Thanks Michael, That was an awesome post! It really puts things into perspective seeing where some of these amazing companies were founded. If someone has vision it doesn't matter how small they start out. Many reading this will realize that their office doesn't look much different than the ones in your post and it will inspire them to do great things!
Michael Dunlop
August 12, 2009 1:04 PM
Hey Robert, Exactly, most people start just like all these big sites, from a computer in a bedroom, garage or even dorm room. Its the fact that we take action. Just do it people! Mike
Brittany
August 12, 2009 1:00 PM
Cool, that's inspiring
Top Internet Companies - Where They Started
August 12, 2009 1:04 PM
[...] Dunlop’s post “Where 14 of the Top Internet Businesses Got Started” show’s the offices of where some of the most widely known Internet Companies got their [...]
Kateyboo
August 12, 2009 1:08 PM
I love reading stories like this! Right now I'm in my lounge with a laptop on my lap (no space for a study!). hope to have a story like this in the future :) (dreaming big!)
peter mcgrath
August 12, 2009 1:31 PM
hi michael say a great post but how did you manage to get all the pictures of the various founders bedrooms kitchens it goes to show if we are creative thers hope for us all thanks peter
Victory
August 12, 2009 1:49 PM
I am going have to get me one of those "bedroom" dealys they seem to bring a lot of inspiration to a business.
Cynthia
August 12, 2009 2:01 PM
I hope to be on this list one day! Started from my living room home office. Great Post, just the inspiration I need to keep going!
jeff
August 12, 2009 2:04 PM
It seems as though the worst websites are built in the nicest homes.
Muzi Mohale
August 12, 2009 2:10 PM
Ah, welcome back mate, I missed your daily dose of motivation. That's the beauty with internet business, it's flexible to start with a pc you're on the go, no fancy office park address with unnecessary monthly bills, while you still try to find your feet.
Michael Dunlop
August 13, 2009 9:51 AM
Hey Muzi, Thanks very much, hopefully will start providing daily inspiration again.... You can start from anywhere, a laptop in starbucks if needs be! Michael
azwan
August 12, 2009 2:14 PM
Mine started in my living area but can't make a great story yet and don't have a pic to show. So it's true - just do it (don't give too many excuses to start s'thing)
Patrenia
August 12, 2009 2:15 PM
Thanks Michael...this is truly inspirational. I am currently working on lauching my product and I hope to have a story as successful as the one's you have presented to us.
Raja
August 12, 2009 2:22 PM
Michael.... Once again you have done a great Job. This post was really awesome and inspirational. Today i have lot of facilities, still cant able to step up. So i have to work harder. Thanks Pal.
Ben
August 12, 2009 2:35 PM
cool & inspiring post. Thanks.
Harry Lewis
August 12, 2009 2:38 PM
I love to hear these success stories. they are very inspiring. All of these people had one thing in common. A knowledge of programming & 'Computerese'. Unfortunately, although I have the desire, I do not have the ability to set up web sites, do programming, etc. If anyone is interested, I have the desire, the time, but not the technical ability. I would love to start off by delving into Affiliate Marketing. I believe there is an enormous potential for making money there. I am great at follow-up and running things once set up. Anyone interested in going for a 'ride' with me, with the knowledge I lack? I can be reached at: Uniqueopp@aol.com. Thanks for reading. Harry
Alexi
August 12, 2009 2:49 PM
This is great inspiration for me, thank you. I just started my website a couple of weeks ago out of my bedroom. Hopefully I can soon replace the desktop with a laptop and advance to the living room. =D
David Stillwagon
August 12, 2009 3:17 PM
Great post, I guess it shows that you can start an online business anywhere.
kateyboo.com » Blog Archive » Where 14 of the Top Internet Businesses Started - Views on entrepreneurship, internet marketing and mindset
August 12, 2009 3:18 PM
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Celes | The Personal Excellence Blog
August 12, 2009 3:55 PM
Hey Michael, great reminder that every business starts from somewhere :) Thanks for putting this together!
Sam
August 12, 2009 4:35 PM
Gotta love this post. The Digg photo looks all too familiar ! Best one gotta be the YouTube photo though, looks like the guys set up the site on someone else's time... Take a bow all of you gents. Take a bow.
Lily
August 12, 2009 4:38 PM
It's great to see that your 1st "office" does not have to be the perfect office. I will keep pushing forward. Thanks!
Sharon/The Baby Boomer Queen
August 12, 2009 5:48 PM
I started my business when I wasn't able to work regular hours any more (I have Lupus) and I was forced to close my antique clothing and milliner shop. Now, I work from my home and my computer is right next to my bed. I wish I had a computer in every room of the house. Great post...one that should give everyone incentive and inspiration. I am glad that a friend sent this to me. I can't wait to post it on my blog. Southern smiles and world peace, Sharon ~The Baby Boomer Queen~
Marcell
August 12, 2009 6:02 PM
WOW! Very inspirational! I love the fact that these guys and gals started these big companies from their bedroom or from their garage. Pretty amazing. That shows fact that if they can do, you can also :)
Chef Tony
August 12, 2009 6:16 PM
Great post, but remember too, we don't all have to be striving to be ebay...niche marketing does very well too...keep it up everyone!!
Andy
August 12, 2009 6:19 PM
Great post - really gives you inspiration. I have started many a business from such places but am still waiting to code the next Facebook :)
baloot
August 12, 2009 6:22 PM
mostly, successful IM are born from their bedroom. :)
Erik
August 12, 2009 6:50 PM
I started my start-up http://www.bulldogbyte.com in my bedroom too.
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August 12, 2009 7:03 PM
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Greg Ellison
August 12, 2009 7:16 PM
That is awesome that they created something huge in their homes or garages. Most of the creation were with friends so that is cool. We have the power create anything we want we just need to do it. Greg Ellison
nicotec
August 12, 2009 7:20 PM
what does it say that some of the great tech entrepreneurs have no taste for interior design..?
Jason R. Ayers
August 12, 2009 9:08 PM
Very inspirational post ...it doesn't matter where you start - just start. Jason R. Ayers
Raul Pellerano
August 12, 2009 10:34 PM
My partners and I started our start up - http://www.bongobing.com - with two of us in our dorm rooms and one working from home (after a full day at work). We're now all living together and are working out of our apartment. We'll hopefully make Michael's list. Thank you for the post, I posted it on our Facebook fan page and twitter blog along with my personal facebook page.
franjh
August 13, 2009 12:32 AM
You just never know where you might end up, when you work hard on an idea! Facinating story's and inspiring for everybody to never give up.
Salvador Stabler
August 13, 2009 12:36 AM
Great point my friend. It doesn't matter where you get started as long as you get going. So many people are afraid of failure and at the same time don't know how to focus. thanks mike
Toko Kaos Online
August 13, 2009 4:15 AM
great post.. just start and move to the top.. they are amazing..
jj-momscashblog
August 13, 2009 4:52 AM
Hi Michael, Glad to hear your back from your trip would love to hear about that too. This was a great post of yours, I started in my living room and then the phone rang telling me I had been picked to buy my blog...actually I was sitting in my chair . So now I know just from the pictures and stories behind the pics. that I'm on my way to greatness. I think any and all of us can achieve greatness all it takes is perseverance and dedication doing something that we love, there in lies the trick... loving what one does. Thanks again Michael for a great post. JJ p.s. sending u an email re: Twitter.
Partha
August 13, 2009 7:08 AM
Good to see this ....
Luis Lopez
August 13, 2009 8:49 AM
This article is awesome, that gives me courage to keep working on my design company, even if I work from home in a little studio, maybe one day I'll get a good office like those guys.
David Amxtrong
August 13, 2009 8:53 AM
Well, very nice post, interesting! I started my first business in classroom. Thank so much for your nice post. Cheer,
Ayush
August 13, 2009 9:09 AM
Thanks for sharing this wonderful inspirational story.
Khristal
August 13, 2009 3:04 PM
Very Inspirational! Keep the great post coming : )
Martin
August 13, 2009 5:58 PM
Hey Michael! Very inspirational and interesting post. Thank you!
fred mwabamba
August 13, 2009 6:01 PM
hey mike! the article is very inspiring, i luv it
tworzenie zaplecza
August 13, 2009 10:04 PM
I can mention Ma.gnolia.com This was also started in garage. Unfortunatelly it was also maintained in garage. Finally it also ended in garage (admin didn't make backup, mirror or smth like this)
Lucas Tadeu
August 14, 2009 12:15 AM
Really nice article.It's nice to know that most of these giants of the today internet started just like us,. Thanks for posting, really liked it.
Gary A. Parenti
August 14, 2009 1:51 AM
Hey Michael, Welcome home.I wondered why I hadn`t received any mail from you lately.As always another great post from one of the best.. I also started in my home , and I am still in my home.. Of course I just started 2 months ago..So I guess I will be doing this right here for some time to come... Looking forward to your next post... One of your followers, G.A.P. / Pyradom
Alexander Bickov
August 14, 2009 6:16 AM
Nice historical ideas
The comments are closed.