[manderchar]

HN was hugely important in helping me and my cofounder validate and start a program for employed engineers to start companies (Sidepact). We started to validate whether start Sidepact with this post:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=17008044

With the initial feedback + response, we were able to a) solicit 100+ applications and validate our idea, and b) decide to actually run the program (complete with speakers, investor events, and a 'demo day'). Over half of the first cohort heard of Sidepact through HN, and we're definitely thankful to have been able to reach the niche of folks who read HN!