Ask HN: 3 Ideas (with slides) for YC W10 - What do you think? • Hacker News Board

Ask HN: 3 Ideas (with slides) for YC W10 - What do you think?

#1

Post by YCW10 » Fri, Sep 04, 2009, 1:32 AM UTC

Ask HN: 3 Ideas (with slides) for YC W10 - What do you think?
ycombinator-w10-cofounder-search.tumblr.com

Re: Ask HN: 3 Ideas (with slides) for YC W10 - What do you think?

#2

Post by YCW10 » Fri, Sep 04, 2009, 1:35 AM UTC

My main interest is combining the web with custom manufacturing technology to help people build anything they can imagine. I'm also interested in ideas usually discussed under the banner of "Web Meets World" "Internet of Things".

In short I really like the internet and plastic. I'd like to combine those two things in satisfying ways.

Re: Ask HN: 3 Ideas (with slides) for YC W10 - What do you think?

#3

Post by moe » Fri, Sep 04, 2009, 2:06 AM UTC

I like how you think beyond the usual social network web stuff. I also like how you identify problems in existing markets, sexy or not - way to go, imho.

Re: Ask HN: 3 Ideas (with slides) for YC W10 - What do you think?

#4

Post by YCW10 » Fri, Sep 04, 2009, 2:11 AM UTC

moe wrote: post #3

I like how you think beyond the usual social network web stuff. I also like how you identify problems in existing markets, sexy or not - way to go, imho.

Thanks moe, I love twitter and music as much as the next guy, but I think there are hundreds of other cool uses for technology. Especially things like the CNC paper cutters that you can get at Hobby shops for $250. One of the founders of MakerBot has a cool line that went "Steve Wozniak couldn't have predicted 4Chan in his wildest dreams when he was building the original Apple" I think we are at a similar stage with these devices. Will be interesting to watch, even more interesting to build!

Re: Ask HN: 3 Ideas (with slides) for YC W10 - What do you think?

#5

Post by joez » Fri, Sep 04, 2009, 2:24 AM UTC

I like your ideas. The back of the napkin math is a little excessive sometimes: I can do the math that if your averaging the same amount per user and your users increase by 10x, then your revenue does as well. I don't need to see what 100x would mean, or 500x.

The excessive use of the handle YCW10 loses credibility in my book and adds an air of pretentiousness.

Re: Ask HN: 3 Ideas (with slides) for YC W10 - What do you think?

#6

Post by YCW10 » Fri, Sep 04, 2009, 2:31 AM UTC

joez wrote: post #5

I like your ideas. The back of the napkin math is a little excessive sometimes: I can do the math that if your averaging the same amount per user and your users increase by 10x, then your revenue does as well. I don't need to see what 100x would mean, or 500x. The excessive use of the handle YCW10 loses credibility in my book and adds an air of pretentiousness.

joez,

re: back of envelope math, I concur, but I showed it to some people who were fairly bright and they commented that the rev potential wasn't called out, when it actually was more modestly. People tend to flip though these quickly so its spelled out a bit pedantically.

re: name - just wanted something generic that also referenced the goal. Happy to change it if pg or anyone else has a problem. No pretensions intended.

Re: Ask HN: 3 Ideas (with slides) for YC W10 - What do you think?

#7

Post by YCW10 » Fri, Sep 04, 2009, 2:33 AM UTC

joez wrote: post #5

I like your ideas. The back of the napkin math is a little excessive sometimes: I can do the math that if your averaging the same amount per user and your users increase by 10x, then your revenue does as well. I don't need to see what 100x would mean, or 500x. The excessive use of the handle YCW10 loses credibility in my book and adds an air of pretentiousness.

http://www.Syllabee.com looks pretty cool btw.

Re: Ask HN: 3 Ideas (with slides) for YC W10 - What do you think?

#8

Post by diN0bot » Fri, Sep 04, 2009, 2:36 AM UTC

i like your style. very curious to know if this pans out for you.

i'm looking for a co-founder, too. my current project may not overlap with your interests, but i recently showed off a neat diy CNC mill at Maker Faire. maybe the networking and idea exchange would be useful for both of us. i will shoot you some email.

Re: Ask HN: 3 Ideas (with slides) for YC W10 - What do you think?

#9

Post by npk » Fri, Sep 04, 2009, 2:48 AM UTC

Great ideas. I'm particularly impressed with the term "web 3d". The PR will just roll in -- especially in "today's economy" -- press will love to discuss Americans who actually (1) make things and (2) sell those things.

I've had a very nebulous idea that's been percolating in my mind: software designed for small machine shops to organize their work. It never occurred to me to organize hobby folk. awesome.

Re: Ask HN: 3 Ideas (with slides) for YC W10 - What do you think?

#10

Post by patio11 » Fri, Sep 04, 2009, 2:55 AM UTC

I am going to pull this out because I feel it might not get seen otherwise:

http://www.slideshare.net/YCW10/cutbots-presentation-1946585

Read this presentation. It is, far and away, the best pitch I have ever seen.

I have sold to, approximately, these customers for the last 3 years. Once a little blog none of you have ever heard of got the notion "Hey, gals, lets have a scrapbooking competition with a bingo theme, hey, this guy does bingo" and that one mention sold a week's worth of software.

Passionate customers. Willing to spend money. On IP. With zero cost of reproduction. On a recurring basis. With the added benefit that the hardware integration poses a competitive moat, and increases customer lock-in, not that you'll need it because they are a fiercely loyal tribe if you treat them right.

If I had $25k burning a hole in my pocket, I would be contacting you to discuss angel terms as we speak.