Founders : Software/Information Technology

“Brandon and I started cutting lawns together in high school,” Durrant says. “We turned a tiny lawncare company into a multi-million-dollar business.” What gives the Wixom-based startup an edge is its participation in the 500 Startups accelerator program in Silicon Valley.

Questions with Skye Durrant discusses his aspirations to make LawnGuru the Uber of landscaping and snowplowing

"It's super important to go as fast as possible when you know you’re facing the right direction," says Jeff Epstein, founder & CEO of Ambassador. "However, going really fast in the wrong direction can kill you."

Questions with Ambassador kicks growth into hyperdrive with VC round

Dwight Carlson knows what it's like to be on top of the world one day and have the weight of the world crushing you the next. Now he and his startup, Coherix, are back on top as they make the most of a crisis.

Questions with Coherix goes from surviving to thriving after Great Recession

There is a glut of startup accelerators out there, but the guys behind the property management startup Castle got into the most prestigious one around, Y Combinator. The Detroit-based startup's team tells how it shot the moon and got in.

Questions with Castle explains how it got into Y Combinator

"The over-arching theme is we represent the outdoors," says Hyaat Chaudhary, CEO of Carbon Media Group. "Our customers are outdoor enthusiasts. ... That's our sandbox."

Questions with Great outdoors leads Carbon Media Group to big things

"It's a slow process for us," Richard Chang, CEO of NewFoundry, says about adding staff. "We hire slow hire smart. ... It's really about taking the time to make sure these folks are a good fit. I want to make sure these folks have the right criteria to grow with us."

Questions with NewFoundry's growth comes down to four words: hire slow hire smart

"Right now we're adding 1,000 restaurants per month," says Travis O Johnson, co-founder & CEO of foodjunky. "A year from now we hope to be in 20,000 restaurants."

Questions with Automation equals gazelle growth for Detroit's foodjunky

"We were six employees and then 20," says Jesse Cory, CEO of 1xRUN. "We needed to figure out how to make that work and create different departments."

Questions with 1xRUN team building turns startup into second-stage star

"Most users find MyFab5 through Instagram," says Omeid Seirafi-Pour, co-founder & CEO of MyFab5. "We give them value through our ability to introduce people to new options. You will find some awesome restaurants by following us."

Questions with MyFab5 hits key milestones without reinventing social media wheel

"As soon as they see it operating they see the value in it," says MJ Cartwright, CEO of Court Innovations. "They really get it and want to start using it."

Questions with Seeing is believing spurs growth for Court Innovations

IDashboards grew an average of nearly 20 percent over each of the last four years. It now has a marketing budget of more than $2 million today, which isn't bad for a boot-strapped firm that built itself up to make a significant-yet-strategic gamble.

"That's the difference between a boot-strapped firm and venture-funded firm," says Shadan Malik, president & CEO of iDashboards. "Venture-funded firms have millions to spend right away."

Questions with Marketing investment moves growth needle for iDashboards

"We haven't spent most of the cash we have taken from investors," says Dug Song, CEO of Duo Security.

Questions with Duo Security accumulates millions in investor cash in quest for constant improvement

"We discovered what the customers wanted was different," says Rosemary Bayer, chief inspiration officer for ardentCause. "We had to change who we thought our customer was and adapt our products to it."

Questions with Flower child capitalists turn low profit company into gazelle startup, ardentCause

"It started off with a clunky, iPod-like prototype," Olson says. "Then we realized we can fit all of that technology into a card."

Questions with Technology breakthrough sets stage for growth at Stratos

"I think people had a hard time taking it seriously if it was priced that low," Steindler says. He adds, "We had this combination of quality and price that really helped us accelerate our growth. (Before that) our savings were dwindling. I was thinking how long until I have to get a real job? Then we hit that moment and things just took off."
 

Questions with Olark discovers raising prices leads to rapid growth