Draft

Draft's History

Draft, formerly known as Cityposh, was launched on January 17, 2012, with a mission to enhance productivity through a streamlined online word processor. The company participated in Y Combinator's S11 batch, which helped it gain initial traction and exposure. Despite its promising start and innovative features, Draft is currently listed as inactive. The company's early rebranding from Cityposh to Draft reflected its focus on providing a clean and efficient writing tool for solo writers and collaborative teams alike.

Draft's Features

Draft offered a unique online word processor designed to streamline the writing process. Key features included clean saves of drafts, clear version control for collaborative editing, and easy importing from popular services like Dropbox and Evernote. The platform was particularly user-friendly, featuring a large, plain-text font on a light-gray background to minimize distractions. In addition to these core functionalities, Draft also provided an editing service, further distinguishing it from other productivity tools in the market.

Draft's Market and Regions

Draft primarily targeted the United States and Canada, but also offered services to remote and fully remote regions, reflecting the growing trend towards distributed workforces. The company's location in Chicago, IL, coupled with its remote service offerings, allowed it to cater to a wide audience of professionals seeking efficient and collaborative writing solutions. By focusing on the B2B sector within the productivity sub-industry, Draft aimed to meet the needs of businesses and individuals looking for robust, user-friendly writing tools.

Draft's Y Combinator Experience

Draft's participation in Y Combinator's S11 batch was a significant milestone, providing the company with valuable mentorship, resources, and networking opportunities. Y Combinator is renowned for its rigorous selection process and support for early-stage startups, and Draft's inclusion in this program underscored its potential and the innovative nature of its product. This experience not only helped Draft refine its offering but also positioned it favorably within the competitive landscape of productivity tools.

Draft's User Interface

One of Draft's standout features was its user-centric interface, designed to enhance the writing experience. The platform featured a large, plain-text font on a light-gray background, providing a clean and distraction-free environment. This design choice was particularly effective for solo writers who needed a simple, yet powerful, tool to focus on their work. The intuitive interface also facilitated easy navigation and usage, making it accessible to users with varying levels of technical proficiency.