So, you understand that most Startup Ideas are nothing without execution. But a lot of folks struggle with what to do next. How to take the first steps towards executing an idea. I've been interacting with a lot of wannabe entrepreneurs and they are stuck at this question. I have an idea and I don't know what to do next. Some people quickly build a solution (an app/website) and then realise that building a solution is not the best option. So, I've come up with a few things that a lot of guys were able to adopt and most of them realised that their idea was either not what their customers wanted, or not really what they wanted to do.
So, here’s what you can do with your startup ideas:
(This one is mostly for eCommerce and Marketplace related ideas. May not work if you are bringing in a New Tech to the market.)
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| Idea Validation Workshop @ IISc Bangalore |
healthcare service, or food tech or hyperlocal they all are businesses that may be “facilitated” using technology (websites and apps) but it is a fallacy to think in terms of these mediums as business ideas. App is NOT your business idea. It’s a medium to reach out to your customers. It’s a platform for your customers to interact with your service. It may be mandatory to have a scalable business, but it is not the business idea in itself. And if it is, stop reading further.
E.g. 1. Hyperlocal delivery of medicines.
Can it be facilitated using an App?
YES.
Does it require an app to function?
NO.
All it requires is Sellers (a pharmacy with drug distribution license), Buyers (people who want specific medicines home delivered), A platform to connect these two (doesn’t necessarily be an app or website, people can order on phone).
E.g. 2. Food Tech for delivering Milk.
Can it be facilitated using an App?
YES.
Does it require an app to function?
NO.
All it requires is Sellers (a dairy or shop), Buyers (people who want milk home delivered), A platform to connect these two (doesn’t necessarily be an app or website). People can order on phone and in some cases people just shout from balcony and get it delivered.
E.g. 3. Mobile Video Tutorials for Students/New Moms/Home makers/for Cooking/for Art/for Music etc.
Can it be facilitated using an App?
YES.
Does it require an app to function?
NO.
All it requires is Videos (and Teachers who can create videos), Consumer (people who want tutored at home using videos), A platform to connect these two (doesn’t necessarily be an app or website). You can get the video or links on email, deliver CDs etc.).
Think primitive.
2. Find one provider and one user.
Find one real person who wants to sell, and one real person who wants to buy (outside of your group of friends and family). Sometimes it may be one of your friends or family but then, getting a stranger helps even more.
3. Think of yourself as the platform.
You are "The Platform". Much like "Tu Beer Hai". You Connect the real users. Fulfill that one user’s demands. Buy the medicine, prepare the food, create the video and deliver to your user. See what problems you faced, what’s the gap in demand and supply? Could you get that one customer? Could you get that one seller? Could you fulfill what your users were looking for? Could you deliver on time with required quality and delight the user? Did you make any money in the process (Did you earn revenue, was there any profit?)?
4. Do you still want to continue?
Do this for 5 to 10 users before you embark on your journey to replace yourself (you are still the platform) with a technology platform and technology mediums like apps and website. That’s how you’d know for sure what idea to work on and how.
5. Action.
There is no real step here. If you’ve done last 4 (“done” and not just read them), you’d know what to do next.
Do it. Take action, go for it. You now have a very high chance of creating a winning startup.
All the best.
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