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I want to start a startup, but have no ideas. What should I do?

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41–48 of 48 posts

Re: I want to start a startup, but have no ideas. What should I do?

#41
post #3

Read this and see if you get any ideas: http://ycombinator.com/ideas.html It's important to be passionate about whatever it is you decide to do. If you don't really care about whatever it is you're working on, it's not going to be successful. I do want to be careful about the definition of passionate. It doesn't have to be some world-changing thing; just something you enjoy working on or something you feel is very im…

The health tracking site that I use to track my diet and exercise is http://www.fitclick.com - needs some work with the graphs, and UI, but the idea's there.

Re: I want to start a startup, but have no ideas. What should I do?

#42
post #12

I would start by putting an e-mail address in your profile so that others can contact you. Who knows, maybe there's someone reading this thread with a great idea but noone to partner up with. just press this link: http://news.ycombinator.com/user?id=zavulon

I have plenty of ideas as well. @arongrinshtein

Re: I want to start a startup, but have no ideas. What should I do?

#44
Personally I'm in the process of starting something and trying to focus on that as much as possible, but I still have lots of ideas. So I have a whiteboard in my office and when I get an idea it goes on the whiteboard. The whiteboard is divided into two sides - ideas that are fun but will never make a penny, and ideas that need further investigation to see if they are commercially viable.

Up until recently I have done contract development work. Nearly all of the ideas that I have that are on the potential money making list come from my work interactions. Either systems I have developed where 90% of the system would work for loads of other companies, or systems that the company wont develop but that the users want, that I think other companies would want.

I am assuming you are a programmer of some description (I assume most people on here are) in which case I think you are in the best position. Look at the systems you work on, Can they be improved, can they be generalised so that other companies may pay for them. It is amazing how many companies will take the $200 a month option where you cannot change the background colour to cyan over the fully customised internally built $20,000 option.Obviously be slightly careful that your company does not have rules where if you invent stuff whilst in their employment then they own it etc - but most companies don't seem to bother too much.

Your startup can accomplish boring business jobs and make money, it doesn't have to be a rip off of Facebook or aggregate Twitter data for you to have a happy life.

Good luck

Re: I want to start a startup, but have no ideas. What should I do?

#45
post #32

What's your email, I've got plenty and no time.

I have plenty too and have to prioritize them! Can only follow less than a hand full and see how they grow ...

I don't mean to piggyback but I find myself in a similar position as the origin-poster and would love to chat with either of you- rogercosseboom@gmail.com

Re: I want to start a startup, but have no ideas. What should I do?

#46
post #3

Read this and see if you get any ideas: http://ycombinator.com/ideas.html It's important to be passionate about whatever it is you decide to do. If you don't really care about whatever it is you're working on, it's not going to be successful. I do want to be careful about the definition of passionate. It doesn't have to be some world-changing thing; just something you enjoy working on or something you feel is very im…

The health tracking site that I use to track my diet and exercise is http://www.fitclick.com - needs some work with the graphs, and UI, but the idea's there.

See? Market validation :D

Re: I want to start a startup, but have no ideas. What should I do?

#47
post #2

What do you love doing?

From the tone of your question, it seems that you are attracted to the idea of a startup but haven't identified your passion yet. Toiling away in BigCo means that you should be able to build up considerable cash reserves for when you go full-time in your new venture. The prudent course of action goes something like : 1. Find your passion 2. Develop the business around your passion in your spare time 3. When you predi…

And the objective doesn't have to be "mega-successful" anyway. Makin-a-decent-livin' would be enough to most geeks who yearn for independence I think.
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