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

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

#51

Post by pbhjpbhj »

robfitz wrote: post #14

No IP attorney. It's money wasted. If you're really doing something protectable, you can file a provisional patent up to a year after first public demo, and that gives you another year to file a real patent. You'll lose some international protection, but it's quite hard to stay internationally protected anyway. I am not a lawyer, please don't trust me. If neither you nor the person who wants to join the company are d…

>you can file a provisional patent up to a year after first public demo

Heed the caveat though - demonstration or use in public will be citable against an application elsewhere in the world. This is a good review of grace periods (from a European perspective but covering worldwide issues) -

http://www.ipr-helpdesk.org/documents/GracePeriodinventionLa...

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

#52

Post by pbhjpbhj »

jparicka wrote: post #48

This is what I built on http://beepl.com/jan if you want to have a look. Also, I am demoing this to an investor tomorrow. Any word of advice you can give me? Hoping to launch on March the 30rd.. If that doesn't go well, the backend is all programmed by me. And I am sort of a hacker that can program stuff. Maybe I can help with your idea?

When I saw the name "beepl" I thought it was a contraction of "beep"+"ppl" [people] - like signalling to people with a beep or something. Then I saw the little bees; perhaps it fits better my way? Was that intentional.

Twitter meets StackOverflow - Is that a reasonable summary?

Hope all goes well on 30th March for you.

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

#53

Post by popsolete »

6 month ago I have quit my job a product manager to provide the exact service you are seeking - I work with startups and individuals to design and build a first version of the product they need. I have a pool of local US developers that I work with, and do rapid functional prototyping myself. If you are serious, ping me info(at)popsolete.com

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

#54

Post by bks »

minalecs wrote: post #46
haploid wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Don't knock the power of ideas. I have this awesome idea for a teleportation ray that will instantly transport me from one city to another. I even have a 15 page powerpoint presentation and I have 4 of my country club buddies who committed to putting up some cash after I got enough long island iced teas in them. Now all I need is someone to build it for me.

send me your routing number, I'm ready to invest.

127.0.0.1

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

#55

Post by djb_hackernews »

bks wrote: post #49
ctide wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If anything, this post further reinforces the notion of trolling. If this was true, then your original post makes even less sense.

Knowing how to configure Apache and configure Exchange server is a far cry from I need to build a SaaS webapp.

I think what he is getting at is if you have all of this experience and presumably have built up a solid network (especially if you have people emailing you money) then you shouldn't sound as clueless as you do.

My guess is your idea is technically infeasible and you should find a trusted technical source to review your idea with before you start accepting money from friends.

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

#56

Post by moe »

bks wrote: post #49
ctide wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If anything, this post further reinforces the notion of trolling. If this was true, then your original post makes even less sense.

Knowing how to configure Apache and configure Exchange server is a far cry from I need to build a SaaS webapp.

Knowing how to configure Apache and configure Exchange server is a far cry from I need to build a SaaS webapp.

You claim you have run multiple companies, hired/fired 60 people, you claim to have multiple investors committed. And now you ask HN for how to hire a programmer?

May I suggest to leverage your contacts/advisor network instead, which you surely have built during your previous endeavours?

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

#57

Post by pestaa »

harpastum wrote: post #7
bks wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 .

Now I know why I want to look completely incompetent!

But, seriously, I agree.

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

#58

Post by bks »

If you have money but no brains, hire some brains. If you have brains but no money find a funder. You can't have both no money and no brains....

So I got the recommendation to contact:

www.hashrocket.com www.thoughtbot.com

And then attend my local Ruby meetup.

sdruby.org

I have called HR and TB and would be interested in getting additional suggestions.

Thanks

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

#59

Post by bks »

us wrote: post #10

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 whoeve…

Again thank you. I have contacted - www.hashrocket.com / www.thoughtbot.com

To move forward with round one. Will keep you posted.

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