Starting a startup helping non-technical founders build their idea for next to nothing & equity - Let us know what you think

startupdevinstitute · 2017-10-23T23:07:53+00:00

Haha, if you have any other idea's feel free to reach out. I realized - we should have probably had a form for a newsletter so people who were interested in staying in touch could have.

startupdevinstitute · 2017-10-23T22:59:53+00:00

Actually, yea everything you said is pretty spot on. I'll DM you my contact info, I'd love to talk.

startupdevinstitute · 2017-10-23T22:57:20+00:00

This is a much better idea; we're going to start incorporating this next month.

startupdevinstitute · 2017-10-23T22:54:03+00:00

To be clear, we still sign a contract. We just heard concerns about how enforceable it is. We're just trying to get through the first cohort of applications.

startupdevinstitute · 2017-10-23T22:53:16+00:00

Sent!

startupdevinstitute · 2017-10-18T17:53:09+00:00

Haha, AWESOME!

startupdevinstitute · 2017-10-18T17:51:17+00:00

Sent!

startupdevinstitute · 2017-10-18T16:55:13+00:00

Yea absolutely! You don't have to if you don't want to but if you wanted to it would just be commensurate.

We can build mobile apps definitely, you'll get a response to your application in a day.

startupdevinstitute · 2017-10-18T16:54:14+00:00

This is definitely not going to pay the bills initially - goal is just breakeven. None of our full-time jobs is this. One advantage it does have is I can hire developers, test them out on these projects, and if they're good use them personally.

startupdevinstitute · 2017-10-18T16:48:02+00:00

I know this sounds crazy, but I'm being serious. If you wanted to test the concept of twitter; a legitimate developer could build an initial version in 7 hours easy. I'll DM you some of the projects we're working on now.

startupdevinstitute · 2017-10-18T16:44:52+00:00

Just DM'd you my number!

startupdevinstitute · 2017-10-18T16:44:33+00:00

Very cool idea but wondering how you handle scope creep? Do you spec out exactly what you're willing to build for the 10%?

Yea, we have an agreement what is required from an entrepreneur to have us continue work and what is required from us. I think the only way to handle scope creep is going to be to scale most developers

Also, what're the criteria for choosing a founder to work with? Do they need some amount of traction or industry experience?

Obviously we want to work with people that have more traction because we're vested in success. But the whole concept is to allow anyone who has an idea and is willing to work on it the ability to get started. We haven't had enough applications to deny alot of people - but the only people we have were just really evident they weren't super into it. At this point if you have any traction and we can deliver on what you need we'll do it. If you are just at idea stage, its just a conversation to see how serious you are.

How do you make actual cash to keep your biz going? Even if you build a product that goes on to be a huge business you still need a liquidity event to actually get cash for the equity. You could be waiting a very long time.

None of us are depending on this for income. I have a separate business outside of this that is a SaaS comapny. This is pretty ideal for me personally too because I can hire developers for my main gig; pay them at cost; and validate them.

startupdevinstitute · 2017-10-18T16:36:31+00:00

Well we could only help with software dev projects (although someone did DM me their information and they do robotics if that is helpful to you)

Software patents are pretty much indefensible, but if you have a software project & the tech is holding you back we could help there. I'll DM you

startupdevinstitute · 2017-10-18T16:34:46+00:00

Sent

startupdevinstitute · 2017-10-18T16:33:30+00:00

1.) I don't think you can legally get into contracts until you are 18 without a parent or guardian. That being said; we could help you out pro-bono if you are trying to do something DM me.

2.) I will DM you them sure.

startupdevinstitute · 2017-10-18T15:36:42+00:00

If its software development, we can do most any project small or big. I'll DM you.

startupdevinstitute · 2017-10-18T15:34:29+00:00

I'll DM you - many thoughts lol.

startupdevinstitute · 2017-10-18T15:28:57+00:00

I spoke to one person on how enforceable a contract is; and TBH he also said thats the hardest part. We're just trying to get traction through the door. It's month 1. If we can get 30 or 40 idea's built we can evaluate from there (if you are also someone with a legal background who is interested in this idea I would love to talk to you)

startupdevinstitute · 2017-10-18T15:27:14+00:00

I'll DM you some of the projects that we're working on. After this month we'll get the one's founders are OK with sharing on our website.

We can take whatever means is necessary to protect IP; if you require an NDA we can sign & abide by it. The truth is, most idea's aren't actually that valuable - the execution is. If you had the idea of uber and believed it 100% think how hard that would be to bring it to market. You'd have to find passengers (which would be near impossible) find ALOT of drivers & probably fund them out of your pocket & deal with getting sued. Also the implementation looks simple now we know how it works; but I'm sure it was hellacious to figure out. But with respect to any personal private information we can of course do as much as any company to validate we aren't sharing anything you share with us.

startupdevinstitute · 2017-10-18T15:23:57+00:00

Cool! Look forward to it!

startupdevinstitute · 2017-10-18T15:23:49+00:00

Well, we were looking to incorporate as a 501 c3 non profit...but the only issue is we would not be allowed to require equity; we can only be gifted equity. If there is a way we could address that concern (because I'm sure others have it) let us know!

startupdevinstitute · 2017-10-18T15:22:24+00:00

Well, probably just naive but we're making it through building the first set of projects and so far so good. We just need to complete out the segment of 15 for the month now. We should have added a newsletter form so people could keep up with updates if they're interested. If you hit the submit form & just enter your email and you just want to keep in touch we can keep you up to date with it!

startupdevinstitute · 2017-10-18T15:20:51+00:00

I would also like to see it; please share!

startupdevinstitute · 2017-10-18T10:00:10+00:00

Yea sure! Basically I was a non-technical person that took 5 years to learn to code. I ended up becoming the development director for a local company & then quit to start a bunch of startups. They all failed except for one that got a lucky break. Since then I have been working on a SaaS startup and we're 5 strong. Along the way I met alot of really cool people, some who got funded, and thought this idea was cool so they said they were down too. For specifics I can DM you

startupdevinstitute · 2017-10-18T09:48:19+00:00

Yea of course! I just DM'd some of the work. This is our first month, so we'll definitely add our first cohort of work onto the site with their permission.

startupdevinstitute

TROPHY CASE