Hyperink

Hyperink was a San Francisco-based self-publishing platform and ebook publisher founded in 2011 by Kevin Gao and Min Ming Lo, and backed by Y Combinator (Winter 2011 batch). The company used data-driven methods — primarily Google search trend analysis — to identify topics in strong demand, then sought out knowledgeable authors to write short, focused nonfiction ebooks on those subjects. Rather than accepting submissions from prospective authors, Hyperink proactively identified expertise gaps in the market and approached subject-matter experts directly, aiming to democratize book publishing by enabling professionals to share their knowledge without requiring a traditional publishing deal. The company raised $1.2 million in seed funding from investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Y Combinator, SVAngel, and Lerer Ventures. Hyperink was headquartered in San Francisco, California and had a team of approximately 11 people at its peak. The company is no longer active; its Y Combinator profile lists the company as Inactive.