If you want less competition, pick a harder problem

The amount of competition is inversely correlated with how difficult the problem is. 

Problems that are easy to solve necessarily have more solutions. This isn't always a bad thing! Competition means there is validation that the problem you're solving is, in fact, a problem. Get out there and out-execute your competitors.

Conversely, problems that are harder to solve have fewer competitors. Here, we're talking about "zero-to-one," industry-defining inventions. You won't have as much competition to worry about, but you'll have to build without a playbook.

Neither path are wrong. They just require different approaches.

Welcome back to the Founder Roundup! Hope your weekend was fantastic. We had the pleasure of featuring three great founders last week. Check out their profiles below.

A big welcome to our new subscribers. If you haven't introduced yourself yet, respond to this email. I'd love to get to know you.

Weekly Wisdom

Startup School

We just had to get in on the AI trend. I asked our favorite generative AI platform, GoCharlie, how to launch a startup in 30 days. The advice did not disappoint:

1. Assess and research the market - Make sure you understand what businesses/solutions are currently available.

2. Identify the target customer base - Who are the people you want to reach with your product? What are their needs?

3. Create a business plan that includes:

   1. How much money you will need (legal fees, website design, marketing, salary/overhead, etc.)

   2. Expected revenue

   3. How you plan to scale the company (Additional employees? Additional funding?)

4. Start with a minimum viable product - By creating and releasing an MVP, you can quickly gain feedback from users and determine which components of your product are most valuable.

5. Create a timeline and set milestones - Once you've identified key components of your product, develop a timeline and track milestones as they're reached.

6. Use analytics to monitor feedback and track progress over time - By doing this, you'll be able to make timely adjustments as needed without wasting any valuable resources unnecessarily.

(edited for format)

How'd it do? Let us know in the comments below the Twitter thread!

Backseat Startup

In episode 12 of the Backseat Startup Podcast, we had Mimi Park, Founder of Instamommies, on the show. Instamommies is a two-sided marketplace connecting moms who are seeking childcare with those seeking childcare jobs.

A Reddit user asked how to pick a startup idea when they are not an expert in any field, nor are they particularly passionate about anything. Mimi and I gave our thoughts on this issue, and discussed how a lack of passion is a major company killer.

Give the recording a watch above or subscribe through the button below.

Founder Roundup

Brice Douglas, Co-Founder of Zaymo

The links in your emails are leaking leads. Zaymo let's you convert directly from your inbox.

Zaymo was created by three friends from Brigham Young University: Brice Douglas, Santiago Gomez, and Daniel Jones.

Built on top of the AMP framework developed by Google, Zaymo allows you to embed modern app functionality directly within your emails.

Your customers can take action, whether it’s booking a demo or replying to a survey, directly from their email. No losing leads due to redirecting them to your website.

Want to try it for yourself? Head over to their website to book a demo.

Read the full article on our website:

Mimi Park, Founder of Instamommies

Being a mom is tough. Finding quality childcare shouldn’t be. Enter: Instamommies.

Founded by a former Silicon Valley mom, Instamommies is a two-sided marketplace, connecting those that need childcare with those who are seeking childcare jobs.

One side of the marketplace is the demand side: Moms who are looking for dependable childcare or services.

The other side is the supply side: Moms looking for childcare jobs near them.

What sets Instammommies apart is the community and trust aspect. Moms are matched based on similar needs such as playgroups, childcare, housecleaning, pet sitting, and who is in their network.

Instamommies is currently active in Monterey, CA, and already has over 200 moms on the platform. Head over to their website to join the waitlist as they expand nationwide!

Read the full article on our website.

Faruk Yasar, Co-Founder of Pixurate

Don’t just win customers. Create ambassadors. Pixurate is creating rabid fans with AI-generated NFTs for your e-commerce products.

As more and more people live online, there is now much greater competition in online shopping. Faruk and his Co-Founder, Hayreddin Tuzel, began developing Pixurate in 2022 to set stores apart from the pack.

Pixurate is a tool to connect e-commerce stores with consumers and incentivize customers to activate word of mouth advertising. When customers buy a product, a unique NFT version is automatically generated.

Not only is this a way to verify ownership of the product, it turns your customers into ambassadors. Digital renderings of their physical products allow them to display NFTs across their socials.

And yes, of course there is a metaverse angle: Eventually, Pixurate will allow your avatar to wear the digital apparel.

Pixurate is launching their MVP in Q1 of 2023. Head over to their website to join the waitlist!

Read the full article on our website:

Community Corner

Become a part of the future of SFD. We're unveiling something really exciting in Q1. As we emerge from build mode, we'll be raising a small seed round of financing to carry us through beta testing. If you'd like to learn more, let's hop on a call.

Who are we and what do we do? Read about our mission and check out our marketing portfolio here.

Calling all students: We have launched a campus ambassador program to connect the next generation of founders and investors. Members can take advantage of a community of entrepreneurial students across the globe, attend weekly meetings where we vet early stage companies, and a host of other programming. If you or someone you know would be interested in joining, apply here.

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