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?
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.


Continued on page 2...

Subscribe to our newsletter

If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.

<

Our Latest Features

Startup Sook Receives Investment from Tobin Capital


Tobin Capital continues to expand its portfolio by investing in pop-up marketplace Sook, the startup on a mission to revolutionise the high street.





L Marks Seeking Startups and Scaleups for Sodexo Healthcare and Seniors Accelerator


Sodexo and L Marks open call for applications from innovative startups and scaleups to join their inaugural Sodexo Healthcare and Seniors Accelerator.





FuturePlus - empowering businesses and transforming sustainability practices


The lowdown on FuturePlus, the startup that's on a mission to make sustainability accessible, achievable and affordable for all businesses.





Choosing a Leadership Style for your New Business


John McLachlan, author and co-founder of Monkey Puzzle Training & Consultancy examines the differences between action-oriented and reflective leaders and which approach is best.





GoJoe - the social fitness app for work and play


The fitness app that's not just about physical fitness; GoJoe helps employers to engage, motivate and connect their people across all pillars of wellbeing.





United Utilities Innovation Lab launches call-out for innovative ideas for fifth programme


Now in its fifth year, North West England water firm United Utilities opens call for Innovation Lab, its pioneering ideas incubation programme.





OneTech Spins Out from Capital Enterprise to Support Underserved Communities in Tech Across the UK


Not-for-profit OneTech has spunout from Capital Enterprise to expand its offering and continue its mission of creating a more equitable, diverse and supported startup ecosystem.





Deep Render - innovation in image compression tech


London-based startup Deep Render tackles the internet’s data and bandwidth challenges via its innovative AI-powered file compression technology.





Neuromod Devices - medtech innovation via neuromodulation


The lowdown on Dublin-based startup and NUI Maynooth spin-out Neuromod Devices and its innovative evidence-based bimodal neuromodulation treatment for chronic tinnitus.





Can generative AI and SEO co-exist?


With the clear shift towards generative AI, Richard Hayes, search director at digital marketing agency Catalyst explores what it means for SEO...

>

Published on: 4th October 2012

If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.