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Ask HN: How to get started with start-ups?

9 points by gkelly ↗ HN
I'm a computer science grad currently working on a government contract, but I want to get into the world of start-ups.

Should I try and start my own? What if I don't have any ideas?

Should I join an existing start-up? How do I find one that's looking?

How did you get started with start-ups?

6 comments

[ 3.1 ms ] story [ 13.4 ms ] thread
nreece
I would recommend you a simple three-fold approach:

1. Think of an existing Web application that you like a lot

2. Think of a feature it's either missing or something that can be simplified in the app

3. Build a stripped-down version of the app in your spare time as a side project. Launch, gather feedback & analytics, improve, repeat.

This approach will solve your concern with finding the idea and executing it with limited resources.

aditya
The answer depends on if you know what you want to do. If there's an idea you're passionate about, go ahead and build it.

If you don't have an idea or need help building it (design, programming, business) - go work for a funded startup that pays market rate, learn as much as you can, save up some cash, network like crazy and leave when you're ready to start on your own, but make sure not to burn any bridges.

wjr
Start small.

Build something you`re passionate about, and go through all the phases: market research > product outline > dev/design > test > release > marketing

See what works, what doesn`t and most important have fun building it.

Small projects like: http://umbrellatoday.com/ or http://bouldr.net are the best thing to start off with, gain experience and network the hell out the local tech/biz community.

Good luck and have fun!

chrischen
You can join my startup! Flixa.tv. Indie film online distribution startup. Click on my name for email. I'm looking for a technical cofounder.
andyjdavis
Build something/anything and put it on the web. It almost doesn't matter what. Aim for something where you can build a kind of working version in a week or two. Do NOT launch into 6 months of development before making it public as your initial ideas will almost inevitably be wrong.

If you get no users, why? Fix that and repeat. If you get unhappy users, why? Fix that and repeat. If you realize the initial idea is incurably broken throw it away in favour of something better.

You may have no ideas but once you start you'll suddenly have lots.