Y Combinator
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Cadran Cowansage
Leap by YC — Where women in tech can talk about whatever we want
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Where women in tech can talk about whatever we want.

Replies
Ryan Hoover
Awesome to see YC expand and continue experimenting. What features or changes do you plan to make next for Leap, @cadran_c?
Cadran Cowansage
@rrhoover Right now we've got one big feed of content, but we're getting to the point where tools to let members subscribe to specific topics would be helpful. So that's next! We're also planning to improve our notifications system, add images and gifs, improve our member directory and member search + more!
Adora Cheung
Congrats Cadran! Been a huge fan of Leap. An online community of women in tech is something that has been sorely missing. I've enjoyed meeting and chatting with everyone. Really looking forward to future conversations and new connections on there.
Cadran Cowansage
@nolimits Thank you!! :)
Abadesi

There's a trend in tech that when women start talking about stuff that impacts us, suddenly a storm blows up, usually kicked off by men. It goes from just trying to share a perspective to having to defend ourselves, explain ourselves, etc etc. I've never had to do that in Leap. It's amazing !!!!!!

Pros:

We can talk about anything we want with others who empathise. Refreshing to speak my mind without having to debate or justify my opinions.

Cons:

None so far, just hope it keeps growing and gets more global reach.

Abadesi
I love Leap @cadran_c, I've been a member for months now and it's added so much value to my life as a woman in tech. 👩🏾‍💻 Leap is a safe space where we can ask questions, get support, spark debates and talk openly about the things we care about. There's an incredible diversity of perspectives and experiences plus candor with compassion. I'm really excited to see where the community goes in future. ✨✨
Cadran Cowansage
@abadesi Thanks for the kind words, @abadesi :) :)
Anita Kirkovska
Amazing job @cadran_c. Love it!
Cadran Cowansage
@anitakirkovska Thanks :)
Sharon Pope

I work at Y Combinator

Pros:

Great community of women talking about real issues as well as the small things in life.

Cons:

Community still growing, so looking forward to seeing how it changes as it expands

Jonas M Sota
👋 For the sake of fixing this issue where folks don't feel comfortable asking questions, what are the sorts of questions that users feel especially comfortable asking on Leap?
Abadesi
Hey @jonas_maximilian_sota a question I contributed answers to which I would not have outside of Leap related to managing work-life balance e.g how to prioritize work while also fulfilling other duties like housekeeping and maintaining your relationship with your significant other.
Holly Liu
@jonas_maximilian_sota I also think it's not just asking, but also in answering the question. You have more context and less of a pile-on/trolling/gaslighting than mixed forums that allow anonymous posting.
Abadesi
Thanks @hollyhliu Yes that's exactly what I like about Leap, I can be honest without fear of repercussion, judgement or backlash from those who can't empathise.
Jonas M Sota
@hollyhliu Indeed. Do you think Leap would be better off including men (who didn't troll, gaslight, etc.) or do you and/or your users find that the all-women environment is integral to making an environment that's sensitive to their experience? No wrong answer! Also, happy to continue this in private if you'd rather avoid a public discussion on the matter (jonas.sota@gmail.com).
Abadesi
Hey @jonas_maximilian_sota interesting question, thanks for asking. I personally find when men are in the forum I end up in a convo like this. I'd prefer to not have to educate others or debate, but just get support and suggestions from people who already get me. Hope that helps 😊
Cadran Cowansage
Hi everyone! I’m excited to share an experimental project I’ve been working on at YC over the last 10 months. Leap is an online community for women in tech to talk about whatever we want. Leap has ~1,500+ members who are founders, designers, marketers, software engineers, VCs, women in sales and operations, etc. I started building Leap because I didn’t have a place on the internet where I felt comfortable talking openly. I wondered what would happen if I created a community where the core culture was set by women, and the software and product decisions were also made by women. I couldn’t think of a social network defined that way, but I wanted to be part of one. Any feedback is appreciated! Thank you! Cadran
Emna Ghariani

I actually love LEAP, even though I have been a user for few weeks, I have already interacted quite a lot. I'm saying this knowing that I have been member of several female founders group on Facebook but I don't interact as much. That's maybe because I felt too exposed or uncomfortable. On LEAP, it feels so natural and I love to share , ask questions and get advice direct or indirect from women in the same situation I'm in as an early stage founder. I can't wait for it to grow more !

Pros:

It feels natural to interact with everyone, topics are super interesting yet diverse, Simple UI yet super effective! Love it!

Cons:

I don't see any. I thought the notifications emails would bother me but I actually love getting them and be updated on the topics I like!

Cadran Cowansage
I am so glad to hear it!! Thank you for sharing your experience :)
Aaron O'Leary
Love this idea! Many communities have an ingrained 'bro culture' about them, putting down women founders/devs seems commonplace in some areas, any community which does away with that culture is great in my books! Good luck with the future @cadran_c :D
Cadran Cowansage
@aaronoleary Thank you!
Lynne Tye

I've been watching Leap grow over the last year, and love seeing its evolution. I've also become legitimate friends w/ a few women that I've met through Leap. I wish this existed years ago, when I first entered the tech scene in San Francisco. Thank you, Cadran!

Pros:

Diverse topics, great networking opportunity, inspiring demonstrations of women helping women.

Cons:

There honestly aren't cons. Of course, the community will improve as more members join, which is inevitable given the quality of the forum.

Farah B

Supporting group of women and a platform where you won't get trolled ;)

Pros:

Great community.

Cons:

None.

Cadran Cowansage
:) Thanks, Farah! Glad you feel this way about Leap!
Tammy Cho
I joined Leap around the same time I was gearing up to launch my nonprofit. So much of the growth of our organization in the last couple months is thanks to the incredible community of women on Leap who were willing to be generous with their time and advice. Thank you for creating this, @cadran_c!
Cadran Cowansage
@tammywcho That makes me so glad to hear. Thanks so much for sharing this story and supporting Leap :)
Yu Chen
I'd love to test out this community but it requires a Facebook profile to Apply to Join :( I'd like to swap in a different network, maybe LinkedIn?
Cadran Cowansage
@yuchen14 Yes you can log in without Facebook now! Apply here and I'll send you an invite: http://leap.ycombinator.com/invi...
Noushin K
Is there a way to join leap without a Facebook profile?
Cadran Cowansage
@yuchen14 @celeryz you can now! Please fill out this quick form and I'll send you an invite: http://leap.ycombinator.com/invi.... Thanks!