Problem: the main reason startups fail is a lack of market need. 42% of startups built solutions that didn't solve real problems. Solution: we manually find people with unresolved problems they are willing to pay to solve.
1. So, how did I come up with the idea for this product?
It's simple: first, I failed 3-4 startups in a row. The main reason was that I was building products that people didn't need. Then I stepped back to reflect and learn from my mistakes. During this reflection, I came across a series of essays by Paul Graham (the founder of Y Combinator) about how to build startups, starting with the search for ideas. I realized that the entire focus should not be on «startup ideas», but on the problems that can become the foundation for a startup. And that's how the idea for ProblemHunt came about — a place to find unsolved problems that people are willing to pay to have solved.
2. How much time passed from the idea to the first user?
I launched the first version of the product about two months ago, and the first user came right after the launch.
3. What was the most difficult moment and how did you overcome it?
In the process, we found that the most difficult thing is precisely to find people's problems. Most people perceive their difficulties as «normal» and simply put up with them for years, without even looking for a solution.
We have to manually search for and write to different people to draw out their problems. Out of 100 personal requests asking them to share a problem, only 2-3 people react positively. But even among them, we filter out about half — those whose problem has almost no market or is a one-time «wish».
Guys, if you have any questions — please ask them in the comments. I'll be happy to answer all of them. 😊
Hey guys! 👋 I'm Boris, founder of ProblemHunt.pro
1. So, how did I come up with the idea for this product?
It's simple: first, I failed 3-4 startups in a row. The main reason was that I was building products that people didn't need. Then I stepped back to reflect and learn from my mistakes. During this reflection, I came across a series of essays by Paul Graham (the founder of Y Combinator) about how to build startups, starting with the search for ideas. I realized that the entire focus should not be on «startup ideas», but on the problems that can become the foundation for a startup. And that's how the idea for ProblemHunt came about — a place to find unsolved problems that people are willing to pay to have solved.
2. How much time passed from the idea to the first user?
I launched the first version of the product about two months ago, and the first user came right after the launch.
3. What was the most difficult moment and how did you overcome it?
In the process, we found that the most difficult thing is precisely to find people's problems. Most people perceive their difficulties as «normal» and simply put up with them for years, without even looking for a solution.
We have to manually search for and write to different people to draw out their problems. Out of 100 personal requests asking them to share a problem, only 2-3 people react positively. But even among them, we filter out about half — those whose problem has almost no market or is a one-time «wish».
Guys, if you have any questions — please ask them in the comments. I'll be happy to answer all of them. 😊