3 ms·

Does anyone else think that the author could perhaps put that wealth of experience into a startup that ISN'T aimed at the tech sector? SaaS apps for the tech s

Does anyone else think that the author could perhaps put that wealth of experience into a startup that ISN'T aimed at the tech sector? SaaS apps for the tech sector are ridiculously over saturated compared to every other sector, go and find a problem for a non-tech sector and apply a tech solution to it. Personally i'm in the process of doing this. One is aimed at the tattoo industry and the other is aimed at the property market. There is WAAAAY less competition because all techys seem to do is build for their peers, go and build for someone in a different market that doesn't know they could have a tech solution to their problem, they will throw money at you for solving it. If anyone wants a further discussion on it, email is in my profile or comment here.

canterburry 15y ago
First of all, awesome write up Dana. Would love to hear about your current project when we get a chance. @Tam...seems to me like there were plenty of non tech businesses in there... restaurants, speakers, renting of items, office hours. My core issue with these businesses, and 90+% of those I hear about in the valley, is that they are so extremely specialized for such an incredibly narrow market segment that they are next to impossible to get either traction or revenue. Usually, this is nothing more than a strategy by start-ups to AVOID competing with established products rather than creating an actually remarkable product of their own. ...and yes, I have many times heard about the people who are making a killing by selling some obscure little piece of software/product or service to an uber narrow market segment thereby facing nearly no competition. Not sure if that was Dan's strategy as well.
- justincormack 15y ago
  Yes they are not tech businesses. Some of them sounded like they needed less techy people, to actually be realistic about sales.
Mizza 15y ago
I do agree with you, but I think it's a lot harder than you make it out to be. The issue is domain-specific knowledge. I write tools for developers because I know how developers operate - I am one. Even though there may be a greater need, it would be hard for me to make software for doctors because I don't know what doctors want. Which isn't to say it can't be done! In fact, it _should_ be done. It just takes a bit more research (of the you-cant-just-google-it kind) than most hackers are used to.
- instakill 15y ago
  So what if it takes a bit more research or even a lot more research? If you want to go into business to make money by building domain-specific software, not knowing the intricacies is not only inexcusable but should very much be frowned upon as downright lazy.
  - kappaknight 15y ago
    Most startups fail because the serial entrepreneur build stuff they think people need but would never use themselves. It's not as easy as just researching what potential customers may need. If YOU are not that potential customer, then you won't have the intuition to make something better than the competition when they pop up. Also, if YOU're not the target customer, your passion for the project will fade way before you actually make money from it. The above is true for both projects large and small. I still think Google+ will ultimately fail b/c its top level execs don't use the platform and therefore won't have any insights about where to take it.
- chops 15y ago
  Take an interest you currently have that isn't tech related and start solving it. In my case, sports league websites suck (or at least the volleyball leagues I've played in), and I got fed up enough to do something about it. There's always some underserved niche to be found, and you don't necessarily have to seek it out. Eventually, if you keep your eyes open, something will annoy you enough to change.

canterburry 15y ago

First of all, awesome write up Dana. Would love to hear about your current project when we get a chance. @Tam...seems to me like there were plenty of non tech businesses in there... restaurants, speakers, renting of items, office hours. My core issue with these businesses, and 90+% of those I hear about in the valley, is that they are so extremely specialized for such an incredibly narrow market segment that they are next to impossible to get either traction or revenue. Usually, this is nothing more than a strategy by start-ups to AVOID competing with established products rather than creating an actually remarkable product of their own. ...and yes, I have many times heard about the people who are making a killing by selling some obscure little piece of software/product or service to an uber narrow market segment thereby facing nearly no competition. Not sure if that was Dan's strategy as well.

justincormack 15y ago
Yes they are not tech businesses. Some of them sounded like they needed less techy people, to actually be realistic about sales.

Mizza 15y ago

I do agree with you, but I think it's a lot harder than you make it out to be. The issue is domain-specific knowledge. I write tools for developers because I know how developers operate - I am one. Even though there may be a greater need, it would be hard for me to make software for doctors because I don't know what doctors want. Which isn't to say it can't be done! In fact, it _should_ be done. It just takes a bit more research (of the you-cant-just-google-it kind) than most hackers are used to.

instakill 15y ago
So what if it takes a bit more research or even a lot more research? If you want to go into business to make money by building domain-specific software, not knowing the intricacies is not only inexcusable but should very much be frowned upon as downright lazy.
- kappaknight 15y ago
  Most startups fail because the serial entrepreneur build stuff they think people need but would never use themselves. It's not as easy as just researching what potential customers may need. If YOU are not that potential customer, then you won't have the intuition to make something better than the competition when they pop up. Also, if YOU're not the target customer, your passion for the project will fade way before you actually make money from it. The above is true for both projects large and small. I still think Google+ will ultimately fail b/c its top level execs don't use the platform and therefore won't have any insights about where to take it.
chops 15y ago
Take an interest you currently have that isn't tech related and start solving it. In my case, sports league websites suck (or at least the volleyball leagues I've played in), and I got fed up enough to do something about it. There's always some underserved niche to be found, and you don't necessarily have to seek it out. Eventually, if you keep your eyes open, something will annoy you enough to change.