Batch: Achievements
- Founded Cron in 2019 and led it to become a top productivity app
- Cron was named Product Hunt’s 2021 Productivity App of the Year
- Sold Cron to Notion in 2022 for an eight-figure sum
- Participated in Y Combinator’s Winter 2020 batch
- Contributed to Flipboard and iA Writer before Cron
- Graduated with a computer science degree and studied at MIT Media Lab
The scoop on Raphael Schaad
Spotlight on the one and only Raphael Schaad, this guy is the real deal in the startup game. Swiss-born, super sharp software engineer, designer, entrepreneur, the guy’s been around the block, and he’s crushed it every time.
So, he jumps into the scene with a solid background, studied computer science, and then hits up MIT Media Lab for grad school. That’s where he’s really pushing the boundaries, messing around with both digital and physical products. The dude’s got a mind for blending design and tech, which honestly is rare as hell.
Before he even got to Cron, he worked on some pretty key projects, Flipboard, iA Writer, and even ran his own consulting gig. Basically, he’s always been about creating stuff that actually makes a difference, not just fluff. But his big break? Cron.
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Talk to herHe started Cron in 2019, a next-gen calendar app that totally changed how people organize their lives. It was simple but strong, and you could tell he poured his heart into making it perfect. The thing took off like crazy, within a couple of years, it was named Product Hunt’s 2021 Productivity App of the Year. No surprise there. It was so good that Notion, the giant in productivity tools, swooped in and acquired Cron in 2022 for an eight-figure sum. Holy shit, that’s some serious success.
What’s crazy is how he’s always been about more than just building apps. Raphael’s a huge believer in design-led startups. He’s always telling designers to learn to code, to get in the trenches and actually build stuff, not just sketch and dream. To him, founders should be both creative and technical. That’s how you build something that lasts.
His story isn’t just about making a popular app. It’s about the mindset, creating because you see a gap, jumping in with both feet, and not being afraid to get your hands dirty. From MIT to Flipboard, iA Writer, and then to building Cron and selling it for a big win, he’s all about making things that matter. And he’s a reminder that if you’re passionate, willing to learn, and not afraid to take risks, you can turn ideas into real, significant companies.
That’s why Raphael is so important, he’s proof that when you combine design, engineering, and hustle, you can totally shake up an industry. No Cap.
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