For some definition of progress, certainly, but neither company was an obvious winner in the first couple of years.
The key is to stay very lean until you have definite product/market fit and can raise a huge growth round.
Will investors let companies do this? Is it going to be OK if you only grow 100% per year because you are living within your means or aiming to become profitable as soon as possible?
If you have a SaaS business, growing 100% Y/Y is just fine until you hit $100m ARR.
-David
Maybe after you pass $10mm ARR. :)
Yes I think this is the rub. I don't think you can expect right now to get funding at the A round if you have only shown 100% Y/Y growth.