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Ask HN: If ideas are worthless, why are some startups in stealth mode?

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Re: Ask HN: If ideas are worthless, why are some startups in stealth mode?

#41

Post by moxiemk1 »

I always thought the point of being a stealth startup was that your idea was relatively easy to copy in a not-quite-as-good way.

Thus, if you were wide open some "entrepreneuring" company comes along, replicate it, and gain the first-to-market boost, while you are still trying to finish.

With a "stealth mode," a company can make a polished product and spring it on the market all at once, leaving no time for half-assed copies.

So, I'd say it upholds the thought that it's about execution, not the idea. The stealth enables you to release better execution without competitive pressure to release.

Re: Ask HN: If ideas are worthless, why are some startups in stealth mode?

#42

Post by zalew »

capital_omega wrote: post #27

Answer: ideas aren't worthless. An idea has no value to you if you can't execute, but it has long-term value if you might be able to do so in the future, and it definitely has value to competitors who may wish to execute it now. [Edit: Also, "ideas are worthless" sounds like the speak of arrogant VCs who want to downplay the importance of entrepreneurs... I've never heard an entrepreneur make such a statement.]

Ideas aren't worthless, they're worth 1/12 of a dime, because "Ideas are a dime a dozen"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/50_State_Quarters

"The idea of a circulating commemorative has been around the hobby for decades, but frankly, good ideas are a dime a dozen. Far more rare is the ability to move an idea to reality,"

Re: Ask HN: If ideas are worthless, why are some startups in stealth mode?

#43

Post by byoung2 »

sendos wrote: post #13
byoung2 wrote: post #4

It makes sense to stay in stealth mode if you believe that someone else can execute on your idea before you can. For a simple idea (e.g. Foursquare for dating), if your idea gets out, there could be another team who could whip up a prototype in a few weeks, so maybe it's better to stay stealth. For something like RethinkDB, there's little risk in revealing your idea, because it would be very difficult for someone els…

Yes, but if it makes sense to stay in stealth mode for the reasons you outline, doesn't that mean that there is value in the knowledge of what you are working on, i.e. there is value in ideas?

The monetary value of an idea that lives in your head is like the monetary value of your liver. It may be priceless to you, but it is worthless to everyone else until you surgically remove it (execution).

Re: Ask HN: If ideas are worthless, why are some startups in stealth mode?

#44

Post by ryanjmo »

Most people are too busy to stop whatever they are doing with their life and steal your idea.

Also, if two people execute the same idea, because products change so much in implementation they will likely end with different enough products that they will not be directly competing by product launch.

Re: Ask HN: If ideas are worthless, why are some startups in stealth mode?

#45

Post by samedhi »

tron_carter wrote: post #20
spoiledtechie wrote: post #5

I have several ideas that could make millions. Honestly, but I am only one person and I don't have a team of developers. Wish I did, but I don't. I also don't have the money to quit my job either. So I keep my ideas extremely close to center so I can work on them one at a time. Heck, I even have an idea that would change the way politics in general is viewed by the public. Its revolutionary and could have a huge infl…

If you have a revolutionary idea that could really change politics and you're keeping it for that perfect moment when everything in your life aligns, it's foolish. If the idea has merit, let someone with the time and passion work on bringing it to life and show the impact. Going to your grave with a pocketful of possibilities is not only a disservice to yourself, but also pretty selfish.

Damn hippie talk. ;)

Re: Ask HN: If ideas are worthless, why are some startups in stealth mode?

#46

Post by xutopia »

My company is currently in stealth mode. I don't think the tech or what we try to accomplish needs to be hidden but we signed some partnership deals with big old-school players and they're the ones requiring us to remain stealth until we release.

Re: Ask HN: If ideas are worthless, why are some startups in stealth mode?

#47

Post by psyklic »

It is all psychology. If someone believes in an idea enough to invest in it, then others are much more likely to invest in it. So, an idea with resources committed to it is worth more than one without.

The ironic part is that the idea itself is not what is invested in. Often there is an attribution error where we hear that "he's making X, so we should make an X clone." However, the important thing invested in is not the idea X, but instead X+the team+the business plan. Of course, the media often does not mention the latter two.

Re: Ask HN: If ideas are worthless, why are some startups in stealth mode?

#48

Post by mikesimonsen »

"Stealth Mode" when used properly, is an effective marketing tool that leads to a big launch event. We're building, working with initial customers, and when we launch it'll be huge!

"Stealth Mode" used ignorantly means, "we're unwilling to discuss our idea with anyone for fear they'll steal it."

Big difference.

Re: Ask HN: If ideas are worthless, why are some startups in stealth mode?

#50

Post by naner »

Common knowledge here on HN and among many startup folks is that ideas are worthless, and only execution counts.

If that's the case, why are some startups in stealth mode?

Ok, that's asinine, I hope we didn't really say that. Execution is almost always the part where value is created (i.e. where you get paid), that is the hard part. The part where skill is involved. But ideas aren't valueless. In fact the control of information is power. Which is why people keep secrets.

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