Ask HN: Got an idea, but how to find parner(s) and SMEs? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Got an idea, but how to find parner(s) and SMEs?

6 pointsblunte4 comments

After reading the popular post today about people's side projects, I'm thinking about my current "great idea!". While I'm convinced that my idea would be successful, I lack the expertise of manufacturing and business necessary to do this alone.

Q1: For those of us not living in startup hotspots, how do you find partners and experts to work with?

Q2: How do you prevent the expert/partner from taking your idea and building it themselves, without you?

In my case, I need to manufacture something where the dimensional details will vary for every unit. 3D printing could be the solution, or perhaps there's a good way to modularize and use modern manufacturing to assemble premade components to result in the same custom solution.

There are probably many possibilities, many of which would not be suitable or economical; but that knowledge is beyond me, so I need help!

1) YC has a cofounder matching system. There is also Starthawk. YC startup school is also worth the time investment.

2) A provisional patent, in your case, could offer you some protection.

But yeah, in general, ideas alone have little value. Your mindset needs to be “it doesn’t matter if everyone knows my idea because I will build a better product, have better marketing and be more efficient than my competitors”.

Hypothetically, if someone was a somewhat direct competitor to an already funded startup, should would avoid Ycom matchups?

If all you offer is the idea, it would be hard to find a good partner.

If you pay money for experts, sign contracts and non-disclosure agreements.

Find an expert with a good reputation. If they breach those contracts you can sue, and that can also harm their reputation.

> Q2: How do you prevent the expert/partner from taking your idea and building it themselves, without you?

What I've heard is that ideas are many, execution is the differentiator. If you don't bring anything worthwhile to execution then the best you could do is get a patent.

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