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Ask HN: I just thought of a startup, got funding and now I am stuck...

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Ask HN: I just thought of a startup, got funding and now I am stuck...

#1

Post by bks »

Back story about two weeks ago I came up with an idea for an application and it has just snowballed since then.

The app ties telephony in with a smart phone application and does some super cool practical lookups. I have spoken to four people that I have known in my previous companies (not related, but trusted) and from the feedback that I am getting this could be a billion dollar concept.

I have build a Keynote pitch deck, and a demo of the app using keynotopia as well as a functional design spec for the site, 15 pages of a business plan and proforma expenses, ultra concervative revenue projections and the 3rd party integrations.

I have also built out the entire site as a balsamic screen by screen representation with each part of the process mapped out.

My HUGE issue - of the 4 people that I have spoken to 3 of them have sent written letters of financial commitment to support the app and the 4th wants to signon as employee number one.

I have "raised" just over $250,000 if I pull the trigger I have the money - but there is a lingering issue.....

My problem is that I am an idea guy, I love technology but I would have no idea of how to actually take it from concept to beta and from beta to production.

I am stuck, what are my next steps?

Questions in my head:

IP attorney? Where do I find programming talent? What order do I do things? How do I validate the concept?

I need super guidance or even just the next 3 steps.

Thank you,

Re: Ask HN: I just thought of a startup, got funding and now I am stuck...

#4

Post by bks »

petervandijck wrote: post #2

Find yourself someone who is really, really good at getting products built. Then work with them and trust them.

So where does one go to find a really really good product builder. And no, oDesk, elance, getafreelancer are not where I want to take this. Preference would be to get a 90-120 day plan, build it with some local USA developers and get this moving fast.

Is there a paddock of "Internet Guns for hire" that work on this and are proven?

Re: Ask HN: I just thought of a startup, got funding and now I am stuck...

#6

Post by dman »

bks wrote: post #4
petervandijck wrote: post #2

Find yourself someone who is really, really good at getting products built. Then work with them and trust them.

So where does one go to find a really really good product builder. And no, oDesk, elance, getafreelancer are not where I want to take this. Preference would be to get a 90-120 day plan, build it with some local USA developers and get this moving fast. Is there a paddock of "Internet Guns for hire" that work on this and are proven?

I would be interested in contributing. Is there someway I can contact you to determine if my skills match what you are looking to build ?

Re: Ask HN: I just thought of a startup, got funding and now I am stuck...

#7

Post by harpastum »

bks wrote: post #4
petervandijck wrote: post #2

Find yourself someone who is really, really good at getting products built. Then work with them and trust them.

So where does one go to find a really really good product builder. And no, oDesk, elance, getafreelancer are not where I want to take this. Preference would be to get a 90-120 day plan, build it with some local USA developers and get this moving fast. Is there a paddock of "Internet Guns for hire" that work on this and are proven?

Not that I've ever heard of.

From my experience, your best bet is to find someone you trust that is a great programmer (even if they can't work for you), and have them vet candidates for you. The truth of the matter is that there is an amazing lack of correlation between people who seem (to non-techs) to know what they're talking about, and people who actually know what's going on.

Re: Ask HN: I just thought of a startup, got funding and now I am stuck...

#9

Post by jwwest »

bks wrote: post #4
petervandijck wrote: post #2

Find yourself someone who is really, really good at getting products built. Then work with them and trust them.

So where does one go to find a really really good product builder. And no, oDesk, elance, getafreelancer are not where I want to take this. Preference would be to get a 90-120 day plan, build it with some local USA developers and get this moving fast. Is there a paddock of "Internet Guns for hire" that work on this and are proven?

Go on Github. Search for programmers in your area/using your technology. Check out their projects and send them introduction emails.

You could also look through Craigslist.

Definitely get them on the phone. Anyone that doesn't want to meet or talk to you isn't worth your time.

Re: Ask HN: I just thought of a startup, got funding and now I am stuck...

#10

Post by us »

1. You can outsource the prototype but if you're going to get funding, you should hire in-house moving forward aka local.

1a. Ask people you know for referrals of coders they trust. Hit up local networking events. Try to find people through yourself and others you know and trust before branching out to regular hiring ways.

2. Get a corporate attorney to help set up your company and the appropriate paperwork so whoever you hire, sign the right paperwork needed. This is important.

3. Build the prototype, and haul ass. Consider talking to an IP attorney but in all seriousness, $250k isn't much. If it's going to cost you a significant amount of money, perhaps hold off on the IP registration. Don't take my word on this though, consult a few different IP attornies for better advice on that.

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