As we have previously argued, the vast majority of startup videos rely on a handful of cliches that make them indistinguishable from one another.
That's not true for every startup video, though. The following videos resisted using common tropes, such as bouncy music or childlike animation. Instead they vigorously lampoon the cliches, or actually try to do something new.
Note: We are intentionally leaving out Dollar Shave Club, HelloFlo's "Camp Gyno" and PooPourri because you've seen them before. But they are wonderful ads in their own right.
1. Bebo

Co-founders Michael Birch and his wife Xochi sold Bebo to AOL for $850 million in 2008. This summer, they bought back the failing company for $1 million. Hence the "What-the-hell?" attitude of this video, which explores what users actually do with that whiteboard technology.
2. SnazzyRoom.com

SnazzyRoom would like you to come work for them. They'll even let you use the company helicopter.
3. Jotly

Jotly, an app that lets you rate everything from spilled beer to parking meters, started as a joke, but became a real app. Why? "We just couldn't help ourselves," said founder Alex Cornell.
4. Nosh

Cornell's original business, Nosh, raises the eternal question "Who invited Pierre?"
5. Double Fine Productions

Tim Schafer promised that his Kickstarter project would not only show you how the sausage is made, but would shove that sausage in your face.
6. Q-Up App

This one goes on a bit too long, but it's a nice example of how you can tell a startup story in a different way.
7. Sold

Clocking in at 42 seconds, Sold's video is a good illustration that shorter is better, especially if you include an image of a psychedelic sloth.
8. Uber Conference

Alex Cornell should just make launch videos.
9. Zoosk

Could this be the female version of Ted?
Honorable Mention: Vooza

"What if you could leave user reviews on members of your family?" The Spinal Tap of startups, Vooza winningly spoofs a scene that often takes itself too seriously.
Image: Jotly, YouTube