In the midst of the tech industry’s upheavals in late 2022, Blind, an online forum catering to verified yet anonymous professionals, emerged as a primary communication channel amid the tumult. During this period, over 95% of Twitter employees were part of Blind’s user base, which had grown to 8 million, experiencing an additional 2 million users in the preceding year. The platform, founded by Sunguk Moon and Kyum Kim in 2013, became a pivotal space for professionals, particularly in the tech sector, engaging in discussions spanning visa concerns, mental health, and ethical 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, effectively monetizing the platform. Emphasizing the importance of anonymity, COO Young Yuk asserts that what is discussed on Blind is often not expressed elsewhere.
Sunguk Moon, Blind’s CEO, conceived the platform’s idea during his tenure at the Korean search giant Naver in the late 2000s. Inspired by Naver’s anonymous discussion forum for employees, Moon aimed to create a broader platform that could foster open and honest conversations.
The platform’s journey began with its founding in 2013, followed by the South Korean launch in 2014 and expansion to the U.S. in 2015. Blind’s success lies in its ability to provide a forum where professionals can openly discuss relevant issues within the tech community, all while maintaining a cloak of anonymity.
