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Startup Ideas

blog.ycombinator.com

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Re: Startup Ideas

#181

Post by petercooper »

ballenf wrote: post #134
dpeck wrote: post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Baby Bidet is interesting, and anyone who has changed a diaper is probably brainstorming as they read this. I could see it being something at mounts over the top of a toilet and the baby is covered around their waist with something like a kayak skirt. You'd need a foolproof way to do temperature control, either requiring: - a hot water line, usually not far from toilet but requires plumbing which is out for most peop…

As a parent of several kids, diaper changing really seems like a solved problem. With a little practice it takes literally seconds for a wet diaper and a couple minutes for poo. The most time consuming part of it all is the clothing unsnapping, re-snapping with winter clothing on. Finally, the hardest part about the washing is getting the baby dry after to prevent rashes, not getting them clean. A couple flushable, b…

As someone with a third newborn in the house right now, I agree. I can't see how a "baby bidet" makes any sense. The stuff that comes out of a baby's butt isn't something that makes sense to wash down a sink, especially once they're on solids. No hose attachment would get one of my turds down a sink, and the kids are already giving me a good run for my money in that department. It sounds way more disgusting than just dealing with it how we do now.

Re: Startup Ideas

#182

Post by louprado »

blizkreeg wrote: post #75

I've thought about the firefighting idea as well, especially after the recent Sonoma and Napa fire. Sprinkler systems for indoor fires are not that uncommon now. Why aren't there sprinkler/fire retardant systems for the perimeter/external part of a house? In a wildfire, I can't imagine a better way to fight the fire from spreading through a neighborhood than a system that auto-deploys when it senses smoke on the peri…

The city of Oakland has not only has a wildfire problem, but an arsonist problem. This summer a construction site with a 7-story structure (196 new apartments) was burned to the ground in just a few hours allegedly by one person. I didn't think that was possible in 2017.

Is the issue with fire-retardant wood/framing materials that it is too expensive, toxic, or doesn't help once a certain temperature is reached ?

Re: Startup Ideas

#183

Post by swendoog »

Finbarr wrote: post #147
arkitaip wrote: post #119

Earlier quoted context omitted.

See, I think this comment is far more interesting than the article itself. I'm certain there is a method of finding high value-low effort startup ideas digging thru unconventional data like the link you provided.

I think it’s hard to find startup ideas by reading the tech press and HN. It’s easy if you just look around you as you go about your daily life, then research anything you don’t understand. A few industries I’ve researched this way: * Porta potties * Dumpster rental * Bail bonds * Funerals There are millions of legitimate businesses out there that have hardly been touched by tech.

And what's hilarious is that the top comment in this thread is about starting yet another social network.

Myopic to say the least.

Re: Startup Ideas

#184

Post by seanmcdirmid »

petercooper wrote: post #181
ballenf wrote: post #134

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a parent of several kids, diaper changing really seems like a solved problem. With a little practice it takes literally seconds for a wet diaper and a couple minutes for poo. The most time consuming part of it all is the clothing unsnapping, re-snapping with winter clothing on. Finally, the hardest part about the washing is getting the baby dry after to prevent rashes, not getting them clean. A couple flushable, b…

As someone with a third newborn in the house right now, I agree. I can't see how a "baby bidet" makes any sense. The stuff that comes out of a baby's butt isn't something that makes sense to wash down a sink, especially once they're on solids. No hose attachment would get one of my turds down a sink, and the kids are already giving me a good run for my money in that department. It sounds way more disgusting than just…

Eh, most of the turds go into the diaper, only what you can't wipe into the diaper goes down the drain. Its a really good way to avoid diaper rash, at any rate.

Re: Startup Ideas

#185

Post by always_good »

giarc wrote: post #143
bambax wrote: post #51

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Maybe. But when I need a hammer or drill or saw, I need it now . If I have to go to the library, which may be closed, or may be out of what I need, that won't do it for me. Libraries work for books because they offer a large selection of items you may only use once, or just browse over. But (inexpensive) tools? You wouldn't rent a dictionary for example...?

Perhaps hammer and drill were a bad example. Think more of things like a ladder. Ladders are expensive and likely won't be used that frequently. You usually know ahead of time when you need it (going to wash windows on the weekend, put up Christmas lights, paint your house).

It's a fine example. I was a poor student and now I'm a minimalist. I can't imagine owning tools when I can borrow them. I've also never had a tool emergency that couldn't wait until the morning -- or maybe just a couple times in my life.

Tools aren't like a dictionary because there is no digital/online replacement for a saw.

Re: Startup Ideas

#186

Post by 659087 »

> Smart Bathroom

I'm just going to try to give them the benefit of the doubt here and assume this was meant as a joke.

> Baby Bidet

Better make it "smart" too... because what could possibly go wrong? Maybe have Google provide a wireless camera that "uses AI to verify cleanliness".

> Social Network for Children

Because it's best to start collecting data on them before they're old enough to understand what they're giving up and make an informed choice about whether or not they want advertising corporations to have an archive of their entire life. Maybe we can even incorporate the data from the "Smart Baby Bidet" and "Smart Bathroom" into the network!

Re: Startup Ideas

#187

Post by wonderous »

austenallred wrote: post #180

Nobody cares about my asset securitization on the blockchain idea :(

Possible that I’m misunderstand your model, but I’ve thought about the topic before, mainly for art and to give artist a means of profiting off the future demand for an orginal work, add in tracking the province, etc.

Exactly what are the assets you want to use the blockchain to market as securities and why?

Happy to talk with you more about it, very interested in being in a YC batch too.

Re: Startup Ideas

#188

Post by stevenj »

opportune wrote: post #70
stevenj wrote: post #4

I'd like to see the social stigma around mental health eliminated. It's commonly viewed as a positive thing to care about, and work toward, better physical health. I wish that were true for mental health. I wish improving your mental health was as normal as going to the gym.

Somewhat controversial opinion ahead: I wish the focus were on treatment and compassion rather than awareness. What I fear happening, and think we have already started taking steps towards, is normalizing mental illness to the point of carte blanche acceptance. I had depression for many years and still have my bad days, but I don't want to live/work in a society where you can use mental illness for excuses . The focu…

I understand what you're saying. I think focusing on treatment (especially making it more accessible) and compassion are good things, too.

I think many people don't get the help they need partly because they feel embarrassed (as well as other reasons). I think that's what the stigma has caused. There's a negative connotation around talking to a professional about things going on in your life or mind. Often times, jokes are made about "shrinks" and such, which I think only exacerbate the situation.

And I'd like to comment on your last paragraph. While I think it's fair and up to the individual to keep whatever they want in their life private, I also think in many cases talking about it out in the open, in environment that not only supports it, but where it also feels normal to discuss it, is the ultimate wish.

I'm of the opinion that I think most everyone would benefit from talking to someone good* about things that are going on in their lives. While there's a spectrum to mental illness and health, I'd like for society to get to a place where discussing those kinds of things is as normal as discussing a movie you just saw.

To get to that point, I think the stigma around mental health will need to change. Talking about something like a breakup with someone is a common experience. If you tell someone you've broken up with your partner, then people don't judge you in the way they judge you for improving your mental health by, say, seeking professional help. In fact, with regard to the breakup, many people offer to listen to you or to make time for you - to help you.

That doesn't seem to normally be the case with mental illness or health (and yet I think it's all related). And I hope that changes.

And I think one of the best ways for that to happen is to have more-and-more high-profile people talking about it out in the open - even just challenges they've faced personally - from something like a breakup to extreme mental illness.

I wish for this partly because I think it will make people more empathetic and understanding toward each other, which I think will make the world a better place.

*Like teachers, not everyone (professional or not) is good at it, nor the right fit.

Re: Startup Ideas

#189

Post by wonderous »

marcosdumay wrote: post #170
wonderous wrote: post #109

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most animals are way more expressive that the average person is able to easily understand and pet tech would easily be a billion dollar market. EDIT: I would also be happy to do this startup if YC adds me to the next batch; already offered to do one for the “Social Network for Children”: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=15715865

> more expressive that the average person is able to easily understand The average person can understand way more than you are giving credit. And anyway, if the average person can't understand some communication, than it's something completely out the league of current AIs. It's the one thing we are good at.

There’s a long list of AI that now outperforms humans both at the per task level and at scale.

Beyond that, as defined by the spec for the startup, I have no reason to believe AI built for this would not be able to do the same for this task.

Re: Startup Ideas

#190

Post by jsonne »

hpvic03 wrote: post #136
jsonne wrote: post #118

No offense to Mr Friedman, but almost everyone that works in marketing and tech has had the adwords for billboards idea, or tv or radio for that matter. I once upon a time played with an adwords for trade magazines idea that went nowhere. This is one of those things where almost every single entrenched player has incentives to keep this from becoming the reality, and outside owning the inventory outright I don't thin…

We're working on it for billboards: https://www.adquick.com https://techcrunch.com/2017/07/14/adquick-seed-funding/ We still have a long ways to go, but I think there's a good chance we'll prove you wrong :)

Do it. I want it badly. How are you getting around the problem of sales people guarding their inventory so closely? In addition, how are you coordinating with media companies to make sure that the brands advertising are within their guidelines?
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