Sunguk Moon’s Brainchild: Navigating Tech Turmoil Through Blind’s Anonymity

In the midst of widespread layoffs within the tech industry in late 2022, Blind emerged as a prominent online forum catering to verified yet anonymous professionals, serving as a primary channel for communication during the tumultuous period. A notable statistic reveals that over 95% of Twitter employees were part of Blind’s user base, which stood at 8 million at the time, experiencing a growth of 2 million users in the preceding year. This platform has become a crucial space for professionals, particularly those in the tech sector, engaging in discussions ranging from visa concerns and mental health to discussions on unethical practices, establishing itself as a significant outlet for industry whistleblowers.

Blind sustains its operations by analyzing user sentiment and proposing changes to companies facing criticism, thereby monetizing its platform. The emphasis on anonymity is underscored by COO Young Yuk, who deems it crucial due to the unique nature of conversations happening on Blind that might not find expression elsewhere.

The genesis of Blind traces back to Sunguk Moon, the CEO, who conceptualized the platform during his tenure at the Korean search giant Naver in the late 2000s. Naver operated an anonymous discussion forum for its employees, providing the inspiration for Moon to create a broader platform.

Founded in 2013 by Sunguk Moon and Kyum Kim, Blind initially launched in South Korea in 2014, expanding its reach to the United States in 2015. The success of Blind is rooted in its ability to facilitate open and honest discussions among professionals in a climate of anonymity, addressing pertinent issues within the tech community.