// startup autopsy
Branch
Structured public discussion with curated participants — Facebook acquired the 10-person team and shut the product within months
platform dependencyAcqui-hired
Fatal mistake: Branch built structured threaded conversations — reply trees for public discussions with curated guest lists. Raised $5M from Google Ventures, First Round, 500 Startups. Featured on NYT editorial board discussions. Facebook acquired Branch in January 2014 for undisclosed amount (acqui-hire). Branch shut within months. The 10-person team joined Facebook to work on Facebook Groups.
Key Events Timeline
FOUNDING
FUNDING
SHUTDOWN
LAYOFF
Laid off 3 employees (27% of workforce) (Seed)