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If I had $100,000 I would select a software idea that really solves a problem and develop it open source. I would be the only developer so would probably need $2000 per month. So I would be able to program roughly 4 years with the money. Of course I would publish the code early on and when there would be enough traction I would found a non-profit organisation that would oversee the further development.
If I had $100,000 I would select a software idea that really solves a problem and develop it open source. I would be the only developer so would probably need $2000 per month. So I would be able to program roughly 4 years with the money. Of course I would publish the code early on and when there would be enough traction I would found a non-profit organisation that would oversee the further development.
I was thinking something along the same lines.
Myabe you were asking what those were?
Do you want a business you can run yourself? Maximizing revenue? A "safe bet"? Passive or active investment?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk%E2%80%93return_spectrum
http://personalfinance.duke.edu/prepare-your-future/savings-...
It also depends on your location / country, 100K gives you a lot more runway in my country than in the U.S.
Since you're a "college grad" on HN I guess a software-based startup is your goal.
Personally, I'd bet on the Oculus Rift, the guys I knew that struck it rich rode a wave of innovations / new hardware (for example the iPad), I believe the Oculus will open a lot of new avenues (virtual shopping, virtual sightseeing, virtual training, data visualization, virtual everything :) ). 100K might not get you very far in the U.S. however.
Non-software, there are plenty of franchises that give an interesting return on investment.
Some ideas for said company that I'll probably never implement because I don't have said $100k:
- Running shoes that give feedback on your running form using pressure sensors and accelerometers. Depending on the type/placement of sensors, could also double as a weight tracking device that doesn't require you to weigh yourself
- Smartwatches aimed at diabetics, which can continuously monitor insulin/glucose levels, while also serving other smartwatch functions. Alerts for low/high levels.
- System that would let paramedics/doctors access recent pulse/skin temperature/etc data from a smartwatch and display it in a usable manner. Could help figure out what happened in the minutes leading up to an emergency call.
Perhaps this is not the answer you are looking for but I wouldn't start a business just based on how much money I had in my pocket. I'd start a business based on what markets are within my reach, based on connections, skills etc.. Myabe you were asking what those were?
I was asking more along the lines of, "what controversial/high risk business have you always wanted to start, but that requires a lot of starting capital?"
(Purely software startups probably don't fall into that category)
I would not start a business with my own money :) Shoot for business with someone paying for what you do from day 0, that's the ultimate validation of what you are doing. Keep the money to support you and your family.
I would replicate the work of Stan Meyer.