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Solving Real Problems: Paul Graham
In his essay "How to Get Startup Ideas," Paul Graham argues that the best startup ideas come from solving problems you personally experience.
Louis-Neil Korsten
September 09, 2024 • Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes
Did you know: The first business incubator was started in 1959 by Joseph Mancuso in Batavia, New York, when he couldn't find a single tenant for a large building he had acquired.
What to expect: In his essay "How to Get Startup Ideas," Paul Graham argues that the best startup ideas come from solving problems you personally experience. Let's dive into this concept and see how it applies to real-world success stories.
Solving Real Problems
This week, I've been thinking about Paul Graham's advice on finding startup ideas. His main point? The best ideas come from solving problems you personally experience.
It's a simple concept, but it's powerful. Think about it:
Facebook started as a way for Harvard students to connect online.
Airbnb began when the founders needed to make rent during a busy convention.
Dropbox was created because Drew Houston kept forgetting his USB flash drive.
These founders weren't trying to create billion-dollar companies from the get-go. They were just solving problems that frustrated them personally.
So, here's a suggestion: For the next week, pay attention to the frustrations and inefficiencies you encounter in your daily life or work. Here's how to approach it:
Keep a "problem journal" for 7 days.
Jot down every annoyance, inefficiency, or "I wish there was a better way" moment you encounter.
At the end of the week, review your list. Look for patterns or problems that seem particularly pressing.
Ask yourself: "Could a solution to this problem be valuable to others?"
Remember, you're not just looking for any problems - you're looking for ones that resonate with you. If something bothers you, chances are it bothers others too.
Graham emphasizes three key characteristics of the best startup ideas:
They're something the founders themselves want.
They're something the founders themselves can build.
They're ideas that few others realize are worth pursuing.
As you go through your week, keep these criteria in mind. Your daily frustrations could be the seed of your next big idea.
