In a moment that resonated deeply with builders and founders across the tech world, Aravind Srinivas, Co-founder and CEO of Perplexity, shared a screenshot on LinkedIn that captured more than just a message; it captured the essence of long-term product vision and perseverance.
The image shows a direct message thread dating back to December 4, 2022, when Srinivas, then working on an early beta version of what would become Perplexity, sent a humble note:
“tldr.perplexity.ai – would love your feedback!”
The product was then known as TLDR, a stripped-down, experimental interface offering concise answers from AI. It was a side project with big ambition, but no guarantee of success.
Fast forward 2.5 years, and the same thread lit up with a warm and personal reply:
“Bro congrats on all the success so far!”
“You’ve gone from strength to strength.”
Srinivas shared the screenshot on LinkedIn with a brief but powerful reflection:
“Feels good to see how far we’ve come from then. Yet, it still feels the same way. We’re just getting started. There’s at least a 100x growth potential left.”
The Message Behind the Message
Though small on the surface, the moment sparked widespread resonance among founders and technologists. It captured what many in the startup world know but rarely say aloud, that progress is often invisible, recognition is delayed, and belief is what carries a product forward in the early days.
Perplexity, which began as TLDR, has since grown into one of the most admired AI-powered answer engines. Known for its source-linked responses, minimalist interface, and fact-forward design, the company has carved out a distinct niche in the AI space, often praised as a trustworthy alternative to conventional search engines.
But this DM moment wasn’t about product features or fundraising milestones. It was about the quiet, often unseen journey of building.
From a Link in the Dark to a Platform for the World
The original message was just a simple product link sent late at night. No PR. No fanfare. Just belief.
Perplexity is a platform used by millions, backed by prominent investors, and at the forefront of the AI race. Its mission to deliver accurate, sourced, conversational answers remains as focused as ever.
And yet, Srinivas’s tone on LinkedIn makes one thing clear: despite the traction, it’s still early days.
“There’s at least a 100x growth potential left.”
Why This Moment Resonates
In an ecosystem obsessed with launches, valuations, and viral demos, this story struck a different chord, one of patience, humility, and the long game.
It reminded many founders that recognition doesn’t always arrive immediately, but when it does, even a short message can feel like a milestone.
Srinivas’s post wasn’t just a reflection. It was a signal to every early-stage builder. Keep going. Even if no one replies right now, the world is listening, and eventually, it will respond.
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