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Founder's Hell: Competitive Horror

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Re: Founder's Hell: Competitive Horror

#41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

as though there are millions of people who feel it is the central business information repository online? I think because there really are millions who feel that way. Getting featured on TC has become one of the must-accomplish tasks for startups and so many feel, maybe even rightly, that TechCrunch can make or break you. They've kind of become the decider of what's cool and what's crap and you'd be surprised how man…

> wondering how they can rocket to the center of the universe too Make lots of money. That's a traditional way to garner press.

Just like that? Easier said than done. You're leaving out the most important part. The traditional way usually involves getting that lucky connection, getting funded, making a huge PR push using that funding and then make lots of money (or at least be in a position to). Otherwise there could be people out there who have products far better than what's around but can't rocket to the center of the universe because of the way things work now. It's like there's this bubble that you either live inside of or outside of which is created by tech rags like TechCrunch. If you're outside the bubble then good luck getting noticed. And for all the talk about how all these sexy new startups are being so innovative we sure do see a ton of me-too apps, networks, and SaaSes. What's an outsider to do? It's like getting mega rich. There's an unspoken truth that your position in life is governed by the class you we born in. Moving up a class is a true rarity. It's a myth in the style of The American Dream.

Re: Founder's Hell: Competitive Horror

#42
This was a pretty good post.

I would add that if you can't figure out how to beat out the competition and if you can't get much traction but already have a code base, you should make it free software. Release it under the AGPL or GPL. Might as well help everyone out ;)

Re: Founder's Hell: Competitive Horror

#43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> wondering how they can rocket to the center of the universe too Make lots of money. That's a traditional way to garner press.

Just like that? Easier said than done. You're leaving out the most important part. The traditional way usually involves getting that lucky connection, getting funded, making a huge PR push using that funding and then make lots of money (or at least be in a position to). Otherwise there could be people out there who have products far better than what's around but can't rocket to the center of the universe because of t…

The overturning of insiders by hungrier outsiders is as old as civilisation. It didn't work out for the outsiders most of the time, but it did eventually.

Maybe that's you, maybe it's not. But you've got to play the hand you're dealt.

Re: Founder's Hell: Competitive Horror

#44
If the writer had only interviewed a few startup founders while he was doing his benchmarking, he wouldn't be so surprised. A good idea is the last thing you need to be a successful entrepreneur. Grit, resilience, scrappiness, nimbleness are few things that you need to have before a good idea.

Re: Founder's Hell: Competitive Horror

#45
The best time to kick the ass of a venture based start up is when they flame out because the money ran out, the founders get bought away, or their system gets bought & subsequently shut down.

So let your system stay up naturally while things shake out and you might end up on top just because of longevity.

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