Kevin Systrom on product thinking

@clearmatrix.io

📸 The Origin of Instagram: Built on Simplicity and Timing. Before Instagram became a global phenomenon, it started with a simple idea: what if photo-sharing could be fast, beautiful, and social? Kevin Systrom, a Stanford grad and ex-Googler, had built a check-in app called Burbn, but it was bloated with features. The turning point? Realizing people only cared about one thing sharing photos. In 2010, Systrom and co-founder Mike Krieger stripped Burbn down to its essence and launched Instagram, focusing on filters, speed, and minimalism. Within 24 hours, it had 25,000 users. Within 2 years, Facebook acquired it for $1 billion with just 13 employees on the team. But Systrom says it wasn’t just luck. It was the product of thoughtful simplicity, careful timing with the rise of the iPhone 4 camera, and deep insight into user behavior. 📌 Key Lessons from Instagram’s Early Days: → Start small and refine relentlessly → Cut features until the product feels effortless → Find your moment and move fast when it comes 💬 What’s your favorite “started small” story in tech? #Instagram #KevinSystrom #StartupStory #TechFounders #Entrepreneurship #ProductDesign #AppDevelopment #SiliconValley #TechHistory #FoundersJourney #Innovation #StartupGrowth #ProductThinking #BuildInPublic #SocialMediaEvolution

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