Make Sure Your Business Idea Has A Fighting Chance
by Startacus Admin
Some great pointers from Joseph Benn on how to avoid the Dragons-Den-like humiliation when your idea is broken down (and into pieces). Startacus will be using some of these tips for sure...
Dragons Den....The entrepreneurs presentation is going really well.
All of a sudden the Dragons ask a question the entrepreneur has not thought about (or more often than not wilfully ignored). Cue music change and quick commentary from Evan Davis and we all snuggle in to watch another person get ripped apart in the Den. This humiliation could easily have been avoided if the entrepreneur had put a little more thought into their idea.
You may have no intention on going into the Den but if you have a business idea then you’ll want to be as sure as possible that’s its viable in reality. The truth is that you will never know whether your idea will truly be successful until you’ve set it up and run it for a period of time. However there are some things will indicate whether your idea has a fighting chance. I have helped young people set up businesses for over seven years and based on that experience I formulated questions that should be answered. Some of these questions are as follows:
You (always start off with you because you’re the one that’s going to make your idea happen)
Does this idea go against any of your values?
Do you have the time to make this idea happen?
Do you have the knowledge/skills/contacts to make this idea happen?
Do you have the money to make this idea happen?
Is your partner/spouse/family behind you?
Market (It amazes me how many people fall in love with their idea and decide to go ahead without checking whether other people will love their idea as much as them)
Is there a market for your product/service? The startup that provides university marketplaces and enables thousands of students to buy and sell stuff on campus. Rent the Backyard will build a studio apartment in your backyard, splitting the rental profits with you 50/50. Intrigued? Revive was created to bring new life to coffee waste, collecting and recycling used coffee grounds to create a palm oil alternative! Chilled beers, wines and spirits delivered in one hour, thanks to Edinburgh-based startup Drinkly. Bubblebum has had its flagship product named as one of the Most Innovative and Most Attractive at the Child Baby & Maternity Expo in China. Influencer marketing remains largely unchartered territory for many businesses, so here are some tips for getting it right on the first go.
Step forward Raise Accelerator, Northern Ireland's first privately-run startup accelerator. We chatted to three founders from their first cohort. Rich Maaghul, CEO of ODEM.io explores the future of education and how disruption will transform the way that we learn... The app that helps you achieve your goal body with easy to follow workouts for the gym or home. The London based startup that has safer home care provision as its mission
Can you reach that market?
Is that market big enough?
Who is your competition?
How are you different from them?
Is there room for you in this market? If not can you make room?
Will this market buy your idea more than once?
What will the market be like 5 years from now? – never look at the market of today always look at tomorrows market as this is most likely the one you will be entering.
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