Ask YC: What do you want?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=192335

by sdurkin • 18 years ago

1 6 18 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

Pg advocates a simple model when deciding what product to offer as a startup: Make something people want.

Since I've decided to target the tech startup world for my first venture, this seemed like a good place to ask a few questions. What do you want? What do you need? What service would add enough value to your startup that you would be willing to pay for it?

I also have a follow up question. I am currently building a peer-to-peer microlending service targeted at startups. I'm doing this because I noticed that many startups get their initial capital from credit card loans. Would this be something that would help you?

blogimus3• 18 years ago

Let us ask you the same question, "What service would add enough value to your startup that you would be willing to pay for it?"

I want to add "a service or product that you can't already find or that doesn't cut it for you and you're looking for something better."

Not to be flip, but if there's a scratch I have that nothing out there is itching, well, there's my next big thing.

sdurkin2• 18 years ago

My answer to the same question is "an easy way to get small amounts of funding." So that's the avenue I'm pursuing.

Are you saying that there's no problem you've encountered for which there isn't already an adequate solution? Perhaps I was wrong in assuming that even in an entrepreneurial minded community there must be some problems people can't fix for themselves.

blogimus3• 18 years ago

I guess I'm thinking in my domain, software solutions. Most everything else that I can afford is already out there.

Edit: If there is something I need that is a hindrance (service not existent yet, I'll say) from the outset of my venture, and that hindrance is not part of my solution, I don't go there.