Hey Elly, Protecting your idea is something you hear a lot from first time founders. The truth is that your fears are likely unfounded. Putting it bluntly: no one cares about your idea and nobody has any idea just how valuable your idea is, including you. Nobody is going to suddenly quit their job or product to jump on your unproven idea.
You're going to need to get over this fear in order to put wheels in motion. It's simply not practical nor possible in many cases to ask potential customers, investors, advisors and suppliers to sign an NDA. Some will flat out refuse, others will bog you down with needless requests to modify the NDA and make you wait for higher ups to approve before discussions can proceed. By far the biggest problem you face is lack of time (e.g. you run out of money before you can convince customers to buy and investors to invest, or someone else brings something to market that solves the problem before you do). Get out there and sell, prove your idea is valuable. Once proven then worry about protecting that value. Dave On 18 March 2015 at 09:53, <mosmanstar...@gmail.com> wrote: > Hi Dave > > Thanks very much for your thoughts. Both emails were constructive. I like > people who talk straight, so I found your thoughts helpful. You've > highlighted a number of challenges I need to overcome before I approach an > incubator. I've seen only a couple that invite concept-phase founders but, > as you say, what would you choose as an investment--a solo founder or an > hung-ho team. > > I'm about to write back to Nigel and ask him the same question. How do you > protect your idea when you are testing market demand and fishing for a > co-founder? I've chatted to LawPath about Non Disclosure Agreements but if > I want to test demand via a Facebook page, for example, how do I protect my > idea from potential competitors, etc? My idea involves a website, an app > and a range of merchandise. > > Thanks Dave! > > Elly > > > On Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at 7:25:54 PM UTC+11, Dave Kuhn wrote: >> >> Sorry, thinking over my reply it doesn't come across as very >> constructive. >> >> My advice would be to get an MVP out there, test with real customers, try >> to convince them to pay with some money and learn when they say no. If you >> lack the skills find people who can help. Freelancer and ODesk are great >> for this. >> >> In the mean time start building your network of potential co-founders. >> Get to know them and discover who compliments you and trial working with >> those you rate and are keen. >> >> Dave >> On 17/03/2015 6:23 pm, "Dave Kuhn" <david....@gmail.com> wrote: >> >>> Hey Elly, >>> >>> Having been through Startmate and 500 Startups there are good reasons >>> behind their selection requirements. >>> >>> Let's take accepting teams over individuals for example. Being a solo >>> founder, whilst not impossible, is extremely demanding mentally and >>> emotionally. Few are cut out for going it alone, as such teams are a safer >>> bet. Not only do they support each other but if one falls, the others can >>> continue. >>> >>> Secondly I've yet to come across an incubator or investor that will back >>> a concept or a business plan. They are going to want to see something >>> tangible like an MVP, sales/pre-sales and a team that can execute. Without >>> these you're going to have a tough time convincing anyone that you are >>> worthwhile investing in. Think about it from your own position. Would you >>> give someone a huge wad of your own cash and hours of help and advice based >>> on a flashy presentation? I hope not. They'll be looking for at least some >>> evidence that you're not a snake oil salesperson. >>> >>> I hope that this doesn't come across as harsh, though it's better to >>> learn these things before you start pounding the pavement. At least you'll >>> have time to do something about it. >>> >>> Dave >>> On 17/03/2015 5:59 pm, <mosman...@gmail.com> wrote: >>> >>>> Hi all, >>>> >>>> I was wondering if anyone would mind sharing their thoughts and advice >>>> about the best starting point (e.g. incubator program) for a first-time >>>> founder. I have a tech start-up in concept phase. It has global potential, >>>> strong differentiators and, most importantly, it fills a market gap. >>>> Startmate looked like a good option but it requires tech-savvy groups of >>>> two to four people, generally. >>>> >>>> Does anyone have some wisdom / constructive advice to share? >>>> >>>> Thanks! >>>> >>>> Elly >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> -- >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Silicon >>>> Beach Australia mailing list. Vist http://siliconbeachaustralia.org >>>> for more >>>> >>>> Forum rules >>>> 1) No lurkers! It is expected that you introduce yourself. >>>> 2) No jobs postings. You can use http://siliconbeachaustralia.org/jobs >>>> >>>> >>>> To post to this group, send email to >>>> silicon-bea...@googlegroups.com >>>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>>> silicon-beach-australia+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com >>>> For more options, visit this group at >>>> http://groups.google.com/group/silicon-beach-australia?hl=en?hl=en >>>> >>>> --- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups "Silicon Beach Australia" group. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>> an email to silicon-beach-australia+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. >>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>> >>> -- > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Silicon Beach > Australia mailing list. Vist http://siliconbeachaustralia.org for more > > Forum rules > 1) No lurkers! It is expected that you introduce yourself. > 2) No jobs postings. You can use http://siliconbeachaustralia.org/jobs > > > To post to this group, send email to > silicon-beach-australia@googlegroups.com > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to > silicon-beach-australia+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com > For more options, visit this group at > http://groups.google.com/group/silicon-beach-australia?hl=en?hl=en > > --- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Silicon Beach Australia" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to silicon-beach-australia+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > -- Dave Kuhn AU: +61 410 817 855 US: +1 415 799 9234 <http://twitter.com/davekuhn> @davekuhn <http://twitter.com/davekuhn> http://au.linkedin.com/in/davidskuhn -- -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Silicon Beach Australia mailing list. Vist http://siliconbeachaustralia.org for more Forum rules 1) No lurkers! It is expected that you introduce yourself. 2) No jobs postings. You can use http://siliconbeachaustralia.org/jobs To post to this group, send email to silicon-beach-australia@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to silicon-beach-australia+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/silicon-beach-australia?hl=en?hl=en --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Silicon Beach Australia" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to silicon-beach-australia+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
