Thread was originally called Frintro (like “Friend” combined with “Intro) but decided to change its name in an arrangement that could set an unusual precedent for other start-ups. Thread.com was already taken, but they negotiated with the owner to lend it to them for two years. If they turned it in to a successful business, the original owner will take a share of the company. But if they don’t, the owner will get his address back.
Frinto raised $1.2MM from Sequoia and is in the current set of fbFund startups. This is a pretty ingenious arrangement, but as an entrepreneur it still pisses me off.