Communities

r/startups

Large founder subreddit with strict promotion rules.

Visit reddit.com
Cost
Free

Free. Check the sidebar rules: promotion is limited to the threads they allow.

Verdict
slow burn

A large founder community with strict rules on promotion. Useful for feedback and learning.

Difficulty
Medium

Needs preparation, a review, or a steady habit before results.

Effort
Medium

About 5 to 10 hours a month.

First result
1 to 4 weeks

A rough range for one person working on it part-time.

Payoff
Steady

a trickle that lasts while you run it.

Best for

Founders who want feedback on ideas and launches.

Not for

Anyone looking to post product links.

Pros

  • Large founder community
  • Good feedback

Cons

  • Strict promotion rules
  • Few customers for most products

The full guide

Last verified 2026-10-30

Links checked 2026-10-30 · All links answer

01What it is and who is there

r/startups is one of the largest founder communities on Reddit. Members ask for advice on ideas, fundraising, hiring and growth. The subreddit is strict about promotion and limits it to the threads it allows, so it is mainly a place for feedback and learning. Read the rules before posting anything about your product.

02Cost and what you actually pay for

Posting is free. Your cost is time to write and to take part.

03Is it right for you?

It fits founders who want feedback on an idea, a launch plan or a pricing question. It fits poorly for anyone looking to post product links or find customers directly. Expect learning, not sign-ups.

04Before you start

  • A Reddit account with real activity.
  • Read the sidebar rules and any pinned posts on promotion and feedback threads.
  • A specific question or lesson, not a pitch.

05Step-by-step: how to distribute here

  1. Read the rules and the pinned threads.
  2. Answer other founders' questions for a few weeks.
  3. Ask for feedback on a specific decision, in the thread or format the rules allow.
  4. Share your product only where the rules permit.
  5. Write back with what you decided and why.

06What to post or submit

Feedback request:

Title: [Specific decision], e.g. "Should a $10/month tool offer a free plan?"

Context: I'm building [product] for [who]. Current numbers: [honest numbers]. I'm deciding between [option A] and [option B]. What would you weigh?

07Common mistakes and do-nots

  • Do not post product links outside allowed threads.
  • Do not write disguised ads.
  • Do not use extra accounts.
  • Do not ignore the replies you asked for.

08How to measure it

  • Count the useful advice you received.
  • Track any visits from reddit.com.
  • A realistic test: one or two feedback posts.

09Time budget

  • Ongoing: 1 to 2 hours a week answering others.
  • Per post: 1 hour.

10Pair it with

11Sources

Sources