TechCrunch Startup News AI cloud startup Runpod hits $120M in ARR — and it started with a Reddit post
Jan 20, 2026
The podcast dives into the remarkable journey of a startup that skyrocketed to a $120M annual run rate after capturing attention on Reddit. It highlights how the founders cleverly transitioned from crypto mining to AI servers, creating a superior platform for developers frustrated by existing GPU experiences. The discussion reveals how they garnered initial user growth through beta testing on Reddit, securing substantial VC interest without early funding, and ultimately, expanding their reach to hundreds of thousands of developers worldwide.
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From Crypto Rigs To AI Hosting
- Zen Lu and Pardeep Singh converted GPU crypto rigs into AI servers after mining became unprofitable.
- They launched RunPod to fix the “hot garbage” developer experience around GPU software stacks.
Reddit Sparked Early Growth
- The founders posted in AI subreddits offering free server access for feedback to find beta testers.
- That Reddit strategy turned beta users into paying customers and hit $1M ARR within nine months.
Investor Founders On Reddit
- VC Radhika Malik discovered RunPod on Reddit and guided Zen Lu on pitching investors.
- The founders stayed nearly two years without funding while keeping the business self-sustaining.