Startup cheat sheet:
1/ Pick an industry vertical
2/ Find a cofounder from that vertical. A forward-thinking veteran you can spend the next 10 years with (meanwhile you should also research the vertical like a mandman too)
3/ Disrupt the vertical with GenAI or cleantech or (insert a fundamental macro change)
Sounds obvious, right? But there’s more to be unpacked here…
Picking a vertical industry: Many people want to start companies on an idea, but what’s the realistic chance of you coming up with this brilliant idea that no one else has ever thought of and is good? How many great companies have been built on an idea alone? Starting with an industry vertical IMO has a far better chance of success.
Applying GenAI or cleantech: The true power of things like GenAI and cleantech is, after the “layer 1” tech infrastructure gets put in place, these technologies will change every single industry, every single company out there. That’s a HUGE potential, we’re talking trillions of dollars’ worth of value to be unlocked. Every industry will become an AI industry; every industry will be a cleantech industry. It will be a landgrab, not based on how fast one gets there, but how fast one builds a good viable solution.
Want to start a company? Start with something that you’re obssessed with, something that doesn’t let you go no matter how hard you try. You don’t really such a thing, but nonetheless want to build a startup? Try starting with a vertical industry.