[alwaysthinkn]

I am self employed and successful, not in the internet biz. I have an idea for a network type site that I really believe could become one of those types of site people would get addicted to. My question is how do you build this and know you can trust the people you go to have the technology developed?

[akula]

Originally Posted by alwaysthinkn

I am self employed and successful, not in the internet biz. I have an idea for a network type site that I really believe could become one of those types of site people would get addicted to. My question is how do you build this and know you can trust the people you go to have the technology developed?

there are ways and means to structure commercialization deals, as well as methods for underwriting partner trust in webdev projects

is your network hypothetical or real world?

[alwaysthinkn]

Hi,
Im not sure what you mean by "is your network hypothetical or real world?"

[akula]

okey...

1) "how do you build this?". Webdev is a staged process. It starts with the founder going out and surveying the target market. Once she gets the surveys filled, she has lots of love letters saying "yes, we want the product". After that, the founder pitches lots different resource providers, and recruits a team of 3-4 ppl using the love letters (herself, marketing, and 2X tech guys + (optional) advisory team/board)

After that, the alpha version is released. It gets reworked. Then a beta is released. It gets reworked, and released; after which time the product is either scrapped or the founder is forced to shop for venture capital. If the product stays, then you gotta do v2.0.

2) know you can trust the people you go to have the technology developed? Webdev is a very small community. 80% of venture backed internet startups are headquartered in a couple of small towns in California. Everybody knows everybody else. When your webdev guy happens to be your paypal collegue who you've worked with for 5 years, trust issues get mitigated.

[alwaysthinkn]

1) "how do you build this?". Webdev is a staged process. It starts with the founder going out and surveying the target market. Can you explain this in a little more detail? How do you actualley go out and survey the market without letting your idea out and those who know how to do this rush in before you even figure out what you are doing in stage 1?Once she gets the surveys filled, she has lots of love letters saying "yes, we want the product". After that, the founder pitches lots different resource providers, and recruits a team of 3-4 ppl using the love letters (herself, marketing, and 2X tech guys + (optional) advisory team/board)I get this part....

[akula]

sure...

1. If the the solution you're hoping to commercialise is sensitive to disclosure, then in order to generate the adequate love letters, you only survey the market about the problem, and keep the details of the solution confidential.

example: you've developed a new type of electric vehicle, but if you disclose the details of your technology, you won't be able to apply for a patent. what do you do? you ask people about their combustion engines and whether they are happy driving their cars. You'd ask questions like;

How do you feel about the cost of driving today?
a) Extremely expensive
b) Somewhat expensive
c) Not expensive

Do you have an interest in any of these technologies?
a) Electric cars
b) Hybrid cars
c) Hydrogen cars
d) Other - please explain

When you get these questions filled, and you get answers 1(a) and 2(a), you've gained enough informational leverage and demand signals without disclosing your confidential information.

2. For your purposes, worrying about "How do you actually go out and survey the market without letting your idea out and those who know how to do this rush in before you even figure out what you are doing in stage 1?" is irrational and nonsensical.

What you're commercialising probably has nothing to do with patents, neither are you entering an oligopoly and under these conditions; the future value of your startup will not increase if you try to be secretive. In fact, it will decrease.

[fromantv]

all hail akula! good work as always

[alwaysthinkn]

Thank you very much for the insight! I am in Southern California..any suggetsions for a web dev team or were to look?