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Ask HN: Bootstrapping a SaaS – Have the idea, validated the market, what next?

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Ask HN: Bootstrapping a SaaS – Have the idea, validated the market, what next?

#1

Post by ambivalents »

I’ve encountered a specific problem in a market (product managers at startups and SMBs) that hasn’t been sufficiently solved. I have validated some demand for it, as well as basic requirements, although nothing formally documented.

Right now I just have pages and pages of notes (competitor research, ideas, prospective user feedback, etc.). I don’t have any formal specs written.

Goal: build a functional prototype and get my first actual users.

I’m a product manager, so while I can fumble my way around a command line, I don’t think I myself can build this thing. There are lots of options — no code, prototype in InVision, hire a freelancer, approach a trusted engineer colleague who could maybe moonlight with me for pay.

What’s my next step for getting this built? Assuming I have basically zero funds and will be bootstrapping it myself.

Few other things to note: app will leverage several APIs, require basic auth, a few integrations (though doesn’t have to be MVP).

I have the confidence and some validation, but now what?

Re: Ask HN: Bootstrapping a SaaS – Have the idea, validated the market, what next?

#3

Post by paypro_global »

Whatever route you choose for your SaaS funding, it’s going to require time and effort to secure. You’re likely to face a few rejections along the way, each one resulting in time-consuming edits of your funding pitch, but you should look at these as valuable lessons rather than failures.

Here we’ve compiled a checklist on how to get your SaaS funded: https://bit.ly/3jfVzR9

Hope it helps!

Re: Ask HN: Bootstrapping a SaaS – Have the idea, validated the market, what next?

#4

Post by Phreaker00 »

I see that you have a two-fold goal where the former (build a functional prototype) is a means to an end (first actual users).

Perhaps having a functional prototype isn't the best next step to getting to your ultimate goal. Start by defining as clear as possible the task to solve and then determine the easiest and quickest way to validate your solution. If the 'pain' for your prospective customers is big enough that they're willing to pay for a solution, they're willing to accept limitations with a product in development that solves their core problem.

As a freelance developer for various start-ups I've seen this mistake being made a lot of times: jumping from basic idea validation to product development. Unless you can get a prototype built for free, development is an expense you should put off as long as possible. This goes for situations where time is less valuable than money, which in your case it seems to be.

Re: Ask HN: Bootstrapping a SaaS – Have the idea, validated the market, what next?

#5

Post by ambivalents »

Phreaker00 wrote: post #4

I see that you have a two-fold goal where the former (build a functional prototype) is a means to an end (first actual users). Perhaps having a functional prototype isn't the best next step to getting to your ultimate goal. Start by defining as clear as possible the task to solve and then determine the easiest and quickest way to validate your solution. If the 'pain' for your prospective customers is big enough that…

Thank you, this is very insightful.

> development is an expense you should put off as long as possible.

That lines up with all of my experience in startups and PMing, and yet, it is SO tempting to start building. I’ll try to remember this.

Re: Ask HN: Bootstrapping a SaaS – Have the idea, validated the market, what next?

#6

Post by tweezy »

Is there a way you could do a “Wizard of Oz” or “Concierge” type of MVP for your first 5-10 customers?

So instead of building something functional, you could use no code tools to design a custom front end for these early adopters and then hardcode (manually type in) the parts that will require real code to scale.

You could then deliver these as consulting style projects, and use the revenue you capture from these customers to pay someone to build a code-based version.

Upside to this would be bootstrapped funding for development, a clearer sense of what the app does and the user stories associated with it, and validation that people will actually pay money for the product.

Downside is you will have to manage the customers and the delivery, which can quickly get overwhelming. Especially for a solo founder.

Personally, I’ve found the concierge MVP route to be really effective. I used these early adopters as a Product Advisory Board, and they became excellent advocates and case studies for our product.

Re: Ask HN: Bootstrapping a SaaS – Have the idea, validated the market, what next?

#8

Post by ambivalents »

winkv wrote: post #7

you can also look for technical co-founder, may be join https://www.startupschool.org/ there are lot of technical folks looking for product co-founders and vice-versa.

Just submitted my profile for co-founder matching. Thanks for the tip!

Re: Ask HN: Bootstrapping a SaaS – Have the idea, validated the market, what next?

#10

Post by ambivalents »

Jugurtha wrote: post #9

> I have validated some demand for it What do you mean by that?

I have spoken to product managers who would use the tool in lieu of their current, manual process. Of course, this is not airtight validation (see e.g. The Mom Test), but it's a start.
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