Do you know someone? Can you give an example of someone that was starting a business told someone the idea and that person went and ran with the business?
I believe that it may happen, but it feels like an urban legend - I've never actually seen it or heard it.
A company claiming to be interested in buying Viaweb instead copied us (as well as they could) and went on to be very successful. They didn't kill us, because they were in Japan. But I expect they did make it harder for Yahoo to launch a Japanese version of Store.
It was so early that we had no books to open, and they were business guys who would not have understood our code if we'd shown it to them. All we did was explain what we were doing.
"Flying Cars" isn't a good answer to your question, agreed, but it is an obvious idea - to everyone.
Chances are that if you are starting a business and you have competition already that they have thought of your idea or something similar and chose not to do it for whatever reason.
My business is www.shelfmade.net - I am now friends with a guy at sharedbook.com. Look how similar the businesses are. I have told him my ideas and he has told me a good deal bout his company. As obvious as I think my idea would be to his company, they are just not into it. They are not going to steal the idea unless I first prove it - then they would know about it anyway.
(Sorry my thoughts are a bit scattered- don't directly address your question, but I'm sure there is a point somewhere)
15 comments
[ 2.5 ms ] story [ 42.6 ms ] threadI believe that it may happen, but it feels like an urban legend - I've never actually seen it or heard it.
The writer would have been closer to the truth if he said that founders generally err on the side of secrecy.
And if you don't know anyone this has happened to, how do you know that it actually happens?
A potential sale situation is different from taking the first steps on the idea. You had already started building the company.
I think managing the disclosure of sensitive information is a totally different topic (one which I wish I knew a little more about).
Glaringly obvious to who? Your start up idea might not seem glaringly obvious to you but don't assume it isn't to your competition!
Chances are that if you are starting a business and you have competition already that they have thought of your idea or something similar and chose not to do it for whatever reason.
My business is www.shelfmade.net - I am now friends with a guy at sharedbook.com. Look how similar the businesses are. I have told him my ideas and he has told me a good deal bout his company. As obvious as I think my idea would be to his company, they are just not into it. They are not going to steal the idea unless I first prove it - then they would know about it anyway.
(Sorry my thoughts are a bit scattered- don't directly address your question, but I'm sure there is a point somewhere)