"Of course we aren't talking trade secrets we're talking business ideas, and ones that aren't glaringly obvious."
Glaringly obvious to who? Your start up idea might not seem glaringly obvious to you but don't assume it isn't to your competition!
Glaringly obvious to who? Your start up idea might not seem glaringly obvious to you but don't assume it isn't to your competition!
Chances are that if you are starting a business and you have competition already that they have thought of your idea or something similar and chose not to do it for whatever reason.
My business is www.shelfmade.net - I am now friends with a guy at sharedbook.com. Look how similar the businesses are. I have told him my ideas and he has told me a good deal bout his company. As obvious as I think my idea would be to his company, they are just not into it. They are not going to steal the idea unless I first prove it - then they would know about it anyway.
(Sorry my thoughts are a bit scattered- don't directly address your question, but I'm sure there is a point somewhere)