Francesco Cardullo

“Learn how ugly VC terms can drain a founder’s exit upside and how Unstuck VC protects you. Because raising capital shouldn’t mean sacrificing everything you’ve built.

SpaceX acquired its first 1000 users by securing government contracts, achieving successful launches, building international relationships, developing versatile spacecraft, and offering competitive pricing. Discover how this aerospace pioneer transformed space travel.

HubSpot acquired its first 1000 users through content marketing, a viral Website Grader tool, and leveraging Dharmesh Shah’s blog audience. Learn how this inbound marketing pioneer scaled to a billion-dollar business.

Microsoft’s Majorana 1 is a quantum computing breakthrough, leveraging exotic topological qubits for unprecedented stability and scalability. By harnessing the elusive Majorana particle, this chip could house millions of qubits, paving the way for real-world quantum applications in AI, cryptography.

Salesforce’s first 1000 users came through bold "No Software" guerrilla marketing, an exclusive launch event, a freemium model, and personalized direct sales. Learn how this cloud CRM pioneer reshaped enterprise software.

Japan has unveiled the world’s first general-purpose optical quantum computer, operating at room temperature using photons. This breakthrough promises faster, scalable, and more accessible quantum computing, democratizing innovation through a cloud platform and redefining the future of computing.

Welcome to 2025! As we step into an exciting year, I wanted to share a defining moment from last month "being approached by Revolut for an entrepreneurial role" and why I chose to stay focused on Unstuck. This year promises remarkable milestones, and we’re thrilled to bring our vision to life.

Instagram’s first 1000 users were driven by exclusivity, minimalist design, and word-of-mouth. Learn how this photo-sharing app captured early adopters and grew to over a billion users worldwide.

Uber acquired its first 1000 users through VIP positioning, tech community buzz, event-based marketing, and an emphasis on a seamless experience. Discover how this ride-sharing giant became an icon of convenience.

TikTok’s first 1000 users were captured through viral challenges, influencer partnerships, and an addictive AI-driven feed. Discover how this dynamic app reshaped social media and drew in a global audience.

Epic Games built its first 1000 users through the shareware model, developer community-building with Unreal Engine, and early access strategies with Fortnite. Learn how they shaped the gaming industry through innovation and community engagement.

Rockstar Games captured its first 1000 users through a mix of controversy, underground marketing, and rebellious storytelling. Discover how this bold strategy fueled their rise from cult classic to global gaming powerhouse.

Reddit attracted its first 1000 users through content seeding, tech-focused outreach, and a simple, functional platform. Learn how this community-driven approach built the “front page of the internet.”

Trolley raises $23M Series B to scale its global payouts platform, enhancing compliance, fraud prevention, and payment capabilities. Trusted by companies like SoundCloud and Envato, Trolley is expanding its reach to serve startups and Fortune 500s worldwide.

LinkedIn grew its first 1000 users by tapping into the personal networks of its founders and leveraging a referral-based invite system. Learn how they used exclusivity and professional validation to scale quickly in the early days.

Blizzard built its first 1000 users by pioneering real-time strategy gaming and fostering an early community of passionate players. Discover how innovation, partnerships, and community-building led to the rise of this gaming powerhouse.

The FTX estate is suing Binance and former CEO Changpeng Zhao for $1.76 billion, accusing them of a “fraudulent” share buyback that fueled FTX’s collapse. The suit claims Zhao’s statements on FTT liquidation caused mass withdrawals, ultimately leading to FTX’s downfall.

Nexo rebrands as a premier digital asset wealth platform, focusing on modern investors who seek long-term growth. With a new visual identity, advanced product suite, and commitment to innovation, Nexo empowers clients to build generational wealth in the digital age.

Activision became a pioneer in the gaming world by putting developers at the forefront and creating high-quality, engaging games. Learn how this bold move helped them acquire their first 1000 users in the early days of home consoles.

GOG.com gained its first 1000 users by reviving classic games, offering DRM-free downloads, and engaging with an active gaming community. Discover how this gamer-friendly platform carved out its own space in digital distribution.

Satispay raises €60 million to fuel growth, expand into new services, and solidify its position as a paytech leader. With new funds, the company plans strategic acquisitions, further user growth, and a record hiring drive as it pursues market leadership in welfare services.

Binance's rapid rise to the top of the crypto world was fueled by an intuitive platform, low fees with BNB, and global engagement. Discover how Binance secured its first 1000 users in just days after launch.

UBS Asset Management launches uMINT, its first tokenized fund on Ethereum, bringing blockchain technology into traditional finance. This innovation under UBS Tokenize enhances efficiency in fund issuance and distribution, meeting investor demand for digital assets.

Barclays completes its £600M acquisition of Tesco Bank, bringing 2,800 employees and billions in assets under its umbrella. In a ten-year partnership, Barclays will manage Tesco’s banking services, while Tesco plans a shareholder buyback of £700M, following its ongoing £1B program.

TechCrunch grew from a niche blog to a tech media empire by covering the next big thing in startups and fostering a vibrant community. Discover how Michael Arrington's high-value content and Silicon Valley connections helped TechCrunch attract its first 1000 readers.

Tether’s Q3 report shows $7.7 billion in 2024 profits, $120 billion in USD₮ circulation, and a $6 billion reserve buffer. With $102.5 billion in U.S. Treasuries, Tether secures its position as a stablecoin leader, reinforcing liquidity and exploring investments in renewables, AI, and Bitcoin mining.

From promoting developers as creative artists to using album-style packaging, Electronic Arts revolutionized the video game industry. Learn how Trip Hawkins and EA acquired their first 1000 users by rethinking game publishing.

TradingView grew its first 1000 users through a freemium model, a focus on community engagement, and partnerships with brokerage platforms. Discover how this game-changing tool for traders became a global phenomenon.

NuCel by Nubank is more than a mobile service; it’s a shift in how digital finance and telecommunications coexist. As Nubank continues to redefine industry standards, NuCel adds a fresh layer of connectivity and financial innovation, transforming everyday interactions for Brazilian consumers.

Ubisoft’s rise from a small family business to a global gaming powerhouse was fueled by strategic distribution networks, localized content, and hands-on marketing at gaming expos. Discover how the Guillemot brothers secured Ubisoft’s first 1000 users.

Attio, a cutting-edge CRM platform, has raised $33 million to redefine customer relationship management in the AI era. By building a highly adaptable, data-driven CRM, Attio enables businesses to tailor their systems precisely to their needs.

Morgan Stanley is expanding OpenAI-powered tools into investment banking, introducing AskResearchGPT to its institutional securities division. This move, designed to enhance productivity, enables faster insights from over 70,000 annual research reports.

Netflix founders Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph transformed movie rentals by eliminating late fees and offering DVD-by-mail. Learn how their innovative free trials and referral strategies helped Netflix acquire its first 1000 users and set the stage for global success.

Canva founders Melanie Perkins, Cliff Obrecht, and Cameron Adams democratized design by making it accessible to everyone. Discover how beta invites, influencer connections, and user-generated content helped Canva acquire its first 1000 users.

The CFPB has launched new open banking rules to increase competition among over 4,000 lenders, making it easier for customers to connect their bank accounts to financial apps. This move empowers consumers to seek better rates and services, driving innovation across the financial sector.

Zoom’s rise to prominence wasn’t overnight. Founder Eric Yuan used his enterprise connections and focused on delivering an exceptional user experience to attract the first 1000 users. Learn how Zoom’s early growth set the stage for its global success.

Stripe is in talks to acquire crypto startup Bridge for $1 billion, marking its largest acquisition to date. The move strengthens Stripe's stablecoin payment capabilities as it pushes further into the digital assets space.

First look at Unstuck White Paper and Tokenomics of the upcoming Unstuck Coins and Unstuck Point infrastructure

Klarna sells £30bn in "buy now, pay later" loans to U.S. hedge fund Elliott, freeing up capital for growth ahead of its anticipated U.S. IPO. The deal strengthens Klarna's position in the expanding U.S. market while it continues to service and underwrite the loans.

Revolut is rolling out its new payment terminal in the UK and Ireland, targeting larger businesses. The device integrates with Revolut Pay, offering lower fees and advanced tools for merchants, while positioning the fintech to compete with Square and SumUp.

FTX has been cleared to repay billions to customers after its bankruptcy plan received court approval. With up to $16.5 billion in recovered assets, the plan promises to repay 98% of customers, offering a significant step in resolving the collapse of the once-major crypto exchange.

TrueLayer’s latest funding round represents more than just an injection of capital. It is a clear signal of support for a new era of digital payments, one that prioritizes efficiency, cost savings, and security.

The UAE has exempted all cryptocurrency transactions from VAT, effective November 15, 2024, marking a significant step towards fostering a crypto-friendly environment. The tax exemption applies retroactively to transactions since January 2018.

Thanks to platforms like Veritasium, we are now more aware of the significant vulnerabilities in our phone systems. As with many legacy infrastructures, fixing the issue requires not just technical upgrades but also regulatory action and financial commitment from the stakeholders responsible.

Understanding tokenomics is key to navigating the crypto space and avoiding costly mistakes. With these 8 insights, you'll learn how to evaluate projects, identify risks, and protect your investments from becoming exit liquidity for insiders.

Revolut has called out Meta for failing to adequately address fraud on its platforms, urging the tech giant to compensate scam victims.

The FCA has fined Starling Bank US$35M for serious failings in its financial crime systems, including breaches in anti-money laundering and sanctions screening. The bank opened over 54,000 accounts for high-risk customers and failed to properly screen against financial sanctions since 2017.

Elon Musk, visionary founder of Tesla and SpaceX, has revolutionized industries from electric vehicles to space exploration. His relentless drive for innovation and bold vision for humanity’s future continue to push the boundaries of what's possible, reshaping our world in profound ways.

inDrive launches its first financial product in Colombia, offering gig economy workers flexible income-based loans through inDrive Money. This new initiative aims to promote financial inclusion and empower drivers to manage their finances more easily.

Robinhood and Revolut are eyeing the $170 billion stablecoin market, potentially disrupting Tether’s dominance. With EU regulations on the horizon, the fintech giants are considering launching their own stablecoins, marking a pivotal moment for the future of digital finance.

The past year has brought significant shifts in geopolitics, technology, and economic trends. As AI, reindustrialization, and inflation reshape global markets, investors must navigate these changes with strategic foresight to capitalize on emerging opportunities.

Cryptocurrency insiders are skeptical that the upcoming U.S. presidential election will significantly impact the market. While political figures like Trump may be seen as crypto-friendly, experts argue that global decentralization will continue, regardless of U.S. policies.

Checkout.com announced the launch of an online course in partnership with the Merchant Risk Council (MRC) to help payment professionals on this matter.

Potential Risk Assessment Failures for Klarna

Augmented reality revolutionary game changer at Adyen's

Revolut is rolling out dedicated crypto payment cards for spending on everyday items.

Mastercard and Visa face a collective lawsuit in the UK over claims they overcharged businesses on multilateral interchange fees (MIFs), with claims exceeding £4 billion.

The SEC has targeted OpenSea, a leading NFT marketplace, with potential litigation, alleging that some NFTs on the platform may be unregistered securities.

We are thrilled to announce the acquisition of Contest Codes, a pioneering platform listing development and design contests that challenge the status quo.

Etsy's journey from idea to community-driven marketplace showcases how strategic partnerships, community engagement, and personalized outreach can catalyze rapid growth. Here's how they secured their first thousands of customers and sellers simultaneously through innovative tactics.

We welcomes Uncharted Fox at Unstuck VC.

Today introduction is quite impressive, not only we are welcoming Natalia at Unstuck, but she's having the honor of interviewing Unstuck CEO, Cardullo.

Zapier's ascent from a remote-only startup to a profitable tech juggernaut is a testament to strategic thinking, customer-centricity, and relentless execution. Founded in 2012, Zapier has disrupted the integration landscape by offering seamless connectivity between various apps and services.

Product Hunt, the brainchild of non-technical founder Ryan Hoover, has emerged as a beacon of innovation in the tech world. Here's how they acquired their first 2000 users through a series of non-scalable yet effective strategies.

With a market cap of $47.78 billion as of February 2024, DoorDash has established itself as the premier food delivery platform in the United States, revolutionizing the way people enjoy meals from their favorite restaurants.

Let's delve into how Spotify orchestrated its ascent from obscurity to a market cap of $48.69 billion in a span of just three years.

In the annals of startup lore, few tales resonate as profoundly as that of Airbnb's humble beginnings. What began as a last-ditch effort by roommates Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia to make rent on their San Francisco loft has since evolved into a global hospitality juggernaut

The journey of Snapchat from its inception to acquiring its first 30,000 customers is a testament to the power of innovative marketing strategies and the understanding of its target audience. Let's delve into how Snapchat achieved this milestone:

alendly, the brainchild of Tope Awotona, emerged from a landscape dominated by orthodox startup practices. Bucking the trend, Tope spearheaded a venture that defied the norms of Silicon Valley, eschewing hefty funding rounds in favor of a lean and pragmatic approach to business.

Every great journey begins with a spark of inspiration, and for Robinhood, that spark ignited a revolution in the realm of stock trading.

Udemy, the titan of online learning, conquered the cold start problem and rallied its first 1000 creators to the cause. Join us as we delve into the annals of entrepreneurial ingenuity and uncover the secrets behind Udemy's meteoric rise to prominence.

Born on April 29, 1958, Randolph co-founded and served as the inaugural CEO of Netflix, revolutionizing the entertainment industry and redefining the way audiences consume media.

Uncovering the gripping saga of Shopify's rise to prominence. Join us as we unravel the tale of how a humble snowboarding enthusiast from Canada transformed a simple idea into a global phenomenon, one customer at a time.

ur story begins with Patrick Collison, a teenage prodigy whose early fascination with programming language Common Lisp set him on a path of innovation and discovery. Fast forward to MIT, where Patrick, alongside his brother John, embarked on a mission to revolutionize online payments.

In the annals of corporate history, there are few success stories as monumental as Apple Inc. From its humble beginnings in a garage to becoming a tech titan with a market capitalization of over $3 trillion, Apple's journey is as remarkable as it is inspiring.

In the vast landscape of modern business titans, one name shines brightly: Reed Hastings. An American billionaire with an unassuming demeanor, Hastings has left an indelible mark on both the entertainment and education sectors.

If you're familiar with terms like the creator economy, micropayments, or have caught wind of Beyoncé's endorsement, chances are you've crossed paths with OnlyFans.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to dominate discussions at the forefront of the global stage, with the World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland serving as a pivotal arena for dialogue and debate.

When we think of billionaires, our minds often conjure images of visionary founders like Mark Zuckerberg or Jeff Bezos, or heirs to vast fortunes like Jacqueline Mars.

In the labyrinthine journey of startup success, the tale of Duolingo stands as a beacon of inspiration, especially when it comes to unraveling the mystery of acquiring those pivotal first 1000 users.

Developing Strong Leaders from Entry-Level to C-Suite

In this edition of the "First 1000" series, we delve into the fascinating evolution of Discord, uncovering the strategies and stories behind its rise to prominence in the digital realm.

Dreaming of experiencing the vibrant culture and serene landscapes of Japan while continuing your remote work? Your aspirations might soon become a reality with Japan's upcoming digital nomad visa, set to launch next month.

As Notion continues to redefine the productivity landscape and inspire innovation, its story serves as a testament to the transformative potential of perseverance, creativity, and user-centric design.

The Essentials of Establishing a Company in China in 2024

Tinder's Early Days: How They Got Their First 15,000 Users

Tether marked a historic net profit of $2.85 billion in Q4, with approximately $1 billion stemming from net operational profits, primarily generated by US Treasuries interests.

This week, our spotlight is on Japan, where recent developments are set to make it even more attractive for foreign business enthusiasts.

Welcome to Unstuck Ventures, where innovation meets opportunity. At Unstuck, we are more than just a venture capital firm; we are architects of change...