People frequently run their startup ideas by me and ask if I think it’s a good idea. Unless I have the problem you are trying to solve, my opinion isn’t worth a thing to you. If I knew what a good startup idea was, I’d be building the next unicorn! If you’re asking family and friends the same question, you are wasting your time.
So who should you be asking? In The Lean Startup by Eric Ries, the recommended best practice is to talk to people who you think have the problem you are trying to solve. And you aren’t asking them if they think your solution is a good idea — first you need to verify that the problem you are trying to solve actually exists for the group you are targeting. One of my favorite teachers on how to go about this is Justin Wilcox. He coaches you in developing your script in this blog post.
The customer discovery process is what so many founders try to skip or short cut but it’s so critical to future success! Have you done your due diligence on validating your idea?
This Week’s Best Bets
It’s Global Blockchain Month for Startup Grind and our Sacramento Chapter is celebrating tonight in partnership with the Bitcoin & Cryptocurrency meetup group. Head to McClellan Innovation Center for this free meetup and learn how LayerOne went from blockchain idea to acquired in less than six months! RSVP
StartupSac Happy Hour is going on Tuesday evening at Hot Italian in Midtown. We’re partnering with Founder Institute who is now accepting applications for their fall cohort in Sacramento. Special guest is Kristopher Francisco, cofounder of Evolute and a FI graduate. RSVP
Hey Folsom! 1 Million Cups is taking a road trip to the Folsom Public Library on Wednesday morning. If the drive to downtown has been keeping you from discovering what 1MC is all about, here’s your chance to attend without having to navigate the Hwy 50 morning commute! RSVP
Want to learn how you can protect your intellectual property without a patent? Head to InnoGrove Wednesday evening for a free workshop taught by patent attorney Yuri Kvichko. RSVP
Plan Ahead
On September 11, Startup Grind hosts Jeremy Perkins, CEO and Founder of Precision Medical Products, a Sacramento-based company that grew to $20 million in its first five years. If you get your tickets before August 31, they are just $10 PLUS you can save $5 with promo code “digest.” Get Tickets
Plan Way Ahead
Sacramento-based startup Dermveda is hosting a Skin Care Wellness Fair at the Sheraton Grand on Saturday, October 20. Learn about using an integrative approach to skin care while supporting the growth of a home-grown startup! Get Tickets.
We’re building community! The StartupSac Community Facebook group launched about a month ago and already has over 200 members. Now we need you! Request to join here.
There’s lots of great stuff going on in the tech startup community–check out the details in this week’s Startup Digest. If you’d like to receive the digest in your inbox every Monday morning, sign up for free here. If you’ve organized (or know about) an event we have not included, please submit it here for consideration. And for even more startup information, happenings and resources, browse the StartupSac Website.
