Always build in a growing market not a shrinking one. Even if it seems like there's an opportunity in a shrinking or stagnant one that you could capitalize on. The conditions of the market are going to create momentum for you rather than relying on you to do it all on your own. I think of market growth and momentum in four buckets. These are anchored by excitement and unmet potential and land grabs.
Today, we talk through four characteristics of great startup ideas (with a bonus fifth Brian thought of post-recording). We discuss organic growth, market innovation vs. product innovation, growing markets, product swaps, and happiness. The goal of this episode is to help shape fuzzy ideas and give you new ideas.
1:27 The Personal Venn Diagram
5:18 Smooth Jazz
5:46 The Four Characteristics of Great Startup Ideas
6:48 Characteristic 1: Potential for Organic Growth
9:14 Characteristic 2: Market Innovation > Product Innovation
10:57 Characteristic 3: Prioritizing Around a Growing Market
12:40 Four Buckets of Market Growth
12:45 Hype Markets
13:36 Dig out of a Hole Market (nurses, agriculture, skilled trades)
16:23 Momentum Markets
16:56 Subsidized Growth
17:42 The Swap
21:19 On Happiness