[ExtremePopcorn]

I think this is likely just some angel investor's portfolio, with some other companies sprinkled in. A few alarm bells are going off:

* Explicitly filters for people who do not want a work life balance. If a job applicant says they found your company via this list, you don't have to ask, "Will you regularly work more than 40 hours a week for free?" They just told you.

* No information on why these companies in particular are special (everyone has a strong market/team/growth)

* No disclaimers regarding conflicts of interest

* Trying to establish a brand for some reason

* Published anonymously

Hopefully I'm not being too cynical. Just seems very financially motivated.

[jdross]

[I'm a founder of a company on the list, and know the creator Chris as a result.]

He's a student, and has been interviewing a broad swath of VCs, students, and founders to create this list for the past few years. As far as I know, he has no financial upside in any of the companies on this list. In the past, the site has asked for (optional) referral bonuses if candidates find the company through the site. That seems fair given the work involved in creating and maintaining this, but arguably that could be worth a disclaimer?

To many engineers and students, the breakout list brand already means something.

I think you're being too cynical – it's closer to a passion project and I respect that he keeps the site about the companies and not about himself.

[lpolovets]

I think the list is made by a college student, so presumably there isn't much financial motivation in listing some companies over others. (http://venturebeat.com/2014/12/05/want-to-hitch-a-ride-on-a-...)

[randomname2]

For what it's worth, Keith Rabois calls it "the best curated list out there" https://twitter.com/rabois/status/678018057802022913

Why is it published anonymously though?