Can Individuals (myself) Found Their Own Company Alone?
July 31st, 2015
If anyone is interested in contributing sweat or currency equity for an amazing idea contact me. If your drive is as much as mine the sky is the limit.
Stephen G. Barr Inimitable Advisor with Wide experience.
August 1st, 2015
July 31st, 2015
July 31st, 2015
Sounds like we have a similar idea. Mine is called HeLLa Rides though currently localized to the bay area, and in other ways more niched down than HopNoot in order to focus my attention.
While I disagree with Clark that this is a crowded space - because I think the space he is thinking of is more Uber/Lyft based - I do agree with everything else he has to say about seeking incubators. The inucubator isn't necessarily going to get you further, and I think you'd be more likely accepted to an incubator if you keep focusing on building on what you have so far.
I'd be interested to know more about what you're presenting in your decks, because while I don't think the particular space you're approaching is being addressed well -there are a lot of people looking at this problem with varying degrees of success.
Ideally you're in some way differentiating yourself from projects like: -- car.ma (a couple of apps), duet (app), commutr (app), trees for cars (app though not sure its still working).
In that none of them have really gained the kind of critical mass to garner them widespread attention. I think carma is the closest, but I find the app clunky and still too impersonal.
I think the drive you've presented, suggests that if you can find ways to build this on your own -- via outsourced development -- even to just get an MVP, you'd move closer to getting where you need to go (no pun intended... that's part of the slogan for HeLLa Rides LOL).
Based on your kickstarter video though, your scope is a bit wider than mine - something I think you want to assess in terms how much of that feature set is critical to demonstrate the value of your idea on an alpha or beta launch.
Based on your profile here, it says you are looking for marketing support, but I'd argue that you (like me) actually need development support.
Happy to discuss further - curious how long you've been looking at this and if there are ways we can support each other, either as a way to feel less alone in the process, or if it make sense at some point, joining efforts (though totally OK not to, as I said - we're not exactly aligned). I think it's just nice to have someone to bounce ideas off of in this context.
Best,
Michael Barnathan Adaptable, efficient, and motivated
July 31st, 2015
Clinton Senkow Serial Entrepreneur, Fitness + Travel + Nutrition, Published Writer
July 31st, 2015
Christopher Leggett co-founder at Sinter3D
July 31st, 2015
First of all, it sounds like you have the right questions and the passion needed to succeed in start-ups. Your drive is your greatest asset, and it can be hard to sustain, and you know your pace best -- and I am having the same challenges with PrintHuman (although I have an inactive co-founder).
Your idea of social transportation app which is 90% funded is an excellent sign and speaks to your ability to run this by yourself.
The challenge is how to proceed given you have done 90% of the work (similar to what I have done with my start-up), yet it is not unreasonable to begin to seek outside supporters to raise awareness or aid in your search or writing process as you seek funding.
Your assessment and intuition is real -- people often are busy with other obligations with real deadlines with their bills and finances that make it hard to fight the early start-up climb (yet you're 90% funded for your first goal.... so....)
- acquire the co-founder role for 50/50 split by actually paying you through a written agreement
- decide how much input you need from the co-founder and see if they would be amendable to a 90/10 split since you've done most of the work or some other arrangement (great for non-serious co-founders that are seeking co-founders, but really don't put in any time until it's funded).
I'm just throwing out some ideas. Honestly, it sounds like we're in the same boat with extremely different products and skills-- so maybe we can connect, and let me know how it goes. Hope this was useful at all... :). Your tenacity and ongoing improvements to your software and process are probably the right strategy to get funded.
Generally, a good 50/50 split on seed with the co-founder is what I am doing with my company if we get funded (not there yet), but yes when there is a true even split of responsibilities, you really can focus on extending your platform -- especially if you find someone who is a fast learner, willing to work and knows what they're doing.
definitely shoot me an email if you want to talk. I'll tell if you if I can't help or maybe there is something that we could try : chrisryanleggett@gmail.com , linkedin.com/in/3dgeom
Jordan Boon Director at Climb Digital
July 31st, 2015
Aarif Jamani CEO at Blue Diamond Equities
August 4th, 2015
Lalit Sarna Business & Technology Leader
August 4th, 2015
Building upon Christopher's response, I think the one way to think about the equity split is to evaluate how much of the work is left. Even when you close seed, you still have majority of the work ahead of you. From what you say, I think 99% of the work is still needs to be done.
Karl Schulmeisters Founder ExStreamVR
August 8th, 2015
Welcome to being an entrepreneur in a startup. Your call as to which is more important
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