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This is HN, home to some of the smartest problem solving minds. Is there a startup opportunity to make a dent in solving homelessness while also making a profit
by sizzle 8y ago
This is HN, home to some of the smartest problem solving minds. Is there a startup opportunity to make a dent in solving homelessness while also making a profit or is that wishful thinking?
- ken 8y agoI don't care for the idea that HN or programmers or engineers or doctors or NASA or any particular subset is home to "the smartest problem solving minds". I've met smart and creative problem solvers in all fields. People tend to solve problems with the tools of their field, and it's telling that your first idea was "a startup opportunity". Really? Our solution for homelessness should also make a profit? We're going to bring our neighbors out of poverty by earning a buck in the process? Where does this money come from? First, start by "doing things that don't scale": solve homelessness for one person. Then do it for 2, 5, and 10. My impression is that, like many human problems, a real solution might never scale.
- closeparen 8y agoParticipating in the economy is the usual path to improvement of a population’s standard of living; it’s not outside the realm of possibility that it could work for this one.
- sizzle 8y ago"Our solution for homelessness should also make a profit?" Profits are merely an incentive to getting more individuals involved and VC capital backing is unlikely unless there is an eventual ROI I'd imagine. How that ROI is determined is beyond the point, it could be government subsidies, cryptocurrency/blockchain related, etc.
- originalvichy 8y agoHow do you profit from people who can’t help themselves? Profit and necessary healthcare are not a good equation. A publically funded health organization is the best solution so far.