Ask HN: How should I approach selling ideas? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: How should I approach selling ideas?

4 pointsfbbwsa2 comments

I find myself in a dilemma that I think is probably the opposite of most HN contributors. I have ideas I would love to implement, but am not a coder. And I have funding, which sounds stupid, probably.

I am technically inclined, strong in math and statistics, background in science. Due to research experience in the natural sciences where I had to program simulations, I have basic programming skills to do small things, but am certainly not a programmer.

I have a few ideas that I want to implement, and non-family supporters who have faith in me such that they are eager to invest even though I have nothing but a few ideas.

I subscribe to the notion that ideas are a dime a dozen and especially in this day and age nobody should really see investment until they at least have some basic proof of concept. This is one of the reasons I refuse to take capital contribution.

The other reason is that I have no idea what a fair amount to take/equity to give is, especially considering that these parties are willing to invest on the basis of an idea alone.

I have a buddy that I've worked with that I trust to develop, but if I accept contribution, I'd also work my ass off to develop programming chops and contribute meaningfully in that time. But until then, all I'm good for is: 1. ideas 2. building models/algorithms 3. providing access to capital

I hesitate to take investment precisely because I am not a programmer, can't do the work myself, and think that the odds of a successful startup are wildly against everyone and especially me because of my skillset.

Yet I really am interested in this space.

Am I out of line in my desire to be involved in internet startup space given my skillset?

How much money should I be interested in taking and how much equity should I be considering giving up?

No matter what, to me, it seems that you need the capital up-front; without it, you are going to have a much tougher time finding developers. That capital could come from you - it doesn't have to come from investors - but you probably have to pay your developers.

You don't mention your background with respect to doing a startup before or managing people/budgets so I'm assuming you haven't done those things (also the question itself seems to support my assumption). In that case, I would suggest that you want to make damn sure that you want the money (from anyone - friends, family, etc) before you sign any deal. As an entrepreneur, you have ideas and you have a reputation. Your reputation is way more important than your ideas. This idea may be brilliant but all kinds of pitfalls lay ahead for even the most seasoned of entrepreneurs who have brilliant ideas and capital. Here's the key: if you #### this particular idea up, you #### up your reputation - and then no one wants to invest in future ideas...

Again, I'm making the assumptions that you are young and haven't done a startup on your own. Please feel free to correct my assumptions and I certainly don't mean to offend if I accidently have :)

Another word of caution: lots of people think they have access to capital but, when it comes time to actually getting the check, they find it wasn't as easy as Uncle Jimmy made it seem. Maybe you can get the money without a fuss but I'd assume you need a pretty damn good business plan if you've never done a startup and are wanting capital for a pre-revenue, idea-only company.

i think a seeding arm like Y-Comb is something you definately should look into. grab a technical minded programmer co-founder and enroll to it or one of its copycat sister-programmes. a sort of startup-camp like Y-comb will be able to fill in your gaps and give you the support you need to bring a product of yours to reality.

i am kind of in the same situation as you, and i have found other like minded individual here on HN. so we're not so rare a breed. once you get the gumption to set your ideas in motion, the pieces of the machine will start to come together. you need to take that first step in order for motion to happen.

i have applied for this round of Y-Comb with big dreams, but it took actually deciding to do it to realize that it felt right. even if not accepted, it was time for me to do something about my ideas, and turn them into my ambitions instead. i hope this motivates you to start your battle for success as well

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