6 docs tagged with "ideas"

May 2021

The most common mistake inexperienced founders make when trying to convince investors is relying too heavily on their pitch. Instead, they should let their startup do the talking. Investors are looking for startups that have the potential to be hugely successful. This doesn't mean they're looking for a guaranteed success, but rather a startup that presents a good bet.

The best way to generate startup ideas is not by trying to think of them but by identifying problems, particularly those you experience personally. The most successful startups, like Microsoft, Apple, Yahoo, Google, and Facebook, originated from founders solving problems they faced themselves. This approach ensures the problem truly exists and avoids the common trap of creating solutions in search of a problem.

Independent-Mindedness: A Key to Novel Ideas

Writing about something, even if you know it well, often reveals gaps in your understanding. Putting ideas into words is a severe test. The initial words chosen are usually wrong, requiring multiple rewrites. Your ideas will not only be imprecise but incomplete. Half of the ideas in an essay emerge during the writing process. Once published, it seems those were your original thoughts, but the act of writing changes them.

In our understanding of eminent scientists and their journeys, we often overlook the risks they embraced, primarily because their biographies tend to omit their errors. The conventional wisdom today is largely shaped by their successful endeavors, making their choices appear risk-free.