Someone Else is Already Working on Your Idea

January 10, 2011 by Ben Yoskovitz 33 Comments

If you think you have an original idea, think again. There’s a very, very good chance it’s already being worked on. It might not be identical, but it’s likely very close. If no one else is already working on the idea you have, there’s a good chance it’s a bad one. Fundamentally, you should never assume you’re the only person working on something. In fact, assume (or just plain ole realize) the opposite.

In the short time that I’ve been involved with Year One Labs we’ve seen very clear patterns around people’s pitches. A lot of young tech entrepreneurs share the same interests. Certain trends get hot and everyone flocks in those directions. So it’s not surprising to see startup ideas in the same industries or tackling similar problems fairly frequently. But I’ll be even more specific than that…

On three occasions Year One Labs has been pitched the exact same idea. And it happened twice more on a different idea. There were slight nuances between the ideas, but they were so close to identical it was amazing.

The first time it happened I was surprised. The second time I was still surprised. It’s a bit surreal to hear nearly the identical pitch from different people. The third time it happened I wasn’t surprised anymore.

Everyone is working on the same thing.

What’s even more interesting is that seeing the same pitch multiple times from different entrepreneurs won’t stop Year One Labs from investing. We know there are lots of people working on similar things all over; if it’s happening in Montreal, imagine everywhere else?

The startup world moves insanely fast. And it’s accelerating. Everyone is working on the same thing, and everyone believes it’s huge and they’ll win. If you don’t realize this quickly enough you’ll be left behind.

Ideas are just the starting point — everything that comes after the lightbulb goes off in your head is really what matters. Strategy. Execution. Learning. Unfair advantage. Team. Acceleration. Agility. Startups don’t win because they have the best ideas when they start. Everyone else has the same ideas already anyway…

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Jpgousse

Interesting, so I would think that the people are the main asset for a Startup…
Then why not creating a casting to build the StartUp, we could have an internet show where visitors could vote on entrepreneurs…
The winners would get a seed funding and an idea to work with.

Sounds amazing, let’s do it!
Helge Seetzen

Ben, I think the issue isn’t shared ideas, it’s shared problems. We live in a world where it is becoming easier to understand problems (of people, processes, businesses, etc.). Understanding a problem is a big part of innovation so this common problem knowledge will inevitably trigger similar ideas.

Why am I making this destinction? Because just focusing on similar ideas actually underestimates the competitive pressure. Your competitors aren’t just the companies working on the same idea. It’s the much large group trying to solve the same problem (some with similar ideas, many with very different approaches but aimed at the same problem). If anything, this amplifies the message in our conclusion.
Benjamin Yoskovitz

I completely agree that just looking at competition as those providing similar or very similar solutions is shortsighted. There are lots of ways to skin a cat, and that means there are many ways to tackle the same or similar problems (and really as you say this is all about problem solving). Suddenly, as you expand that thinking you realize there are many MORE competitors…

It’s just crystallized so incredibly when you see 2 or 3 or 4 pitches that are almost identical. Sure lots of people want to “solve the problems of recruiting” but then when you see 10 companies providing almost the exact same “solution” it’s eye-opening.
Alex Work

Great post. It’s true that there really isn’t any such thing as a completely original idea. After all, we’ve seen with nearly every great invention a handful of others suing him or her for infringing on their idea. The difference between those who think about it and those invent it is pure action.
Leonid S. Knyshov

I hear “I know some people that are working on something similar so you should be careful” quite often. The battle is not won until the problem is solved.

Facebook solved the global human database problem, for example. Witness the capitulation of Myspace where Facebook no longer had to send Mark Zuckerberg to accept their defeat. More importantly, they are becoming the de-facto identity provider. Competing against them would be suicidal today.

The problem on which I am working has a number of competitors, but the battle has not yet been won. I am playing to win it.
Samiparker11

Nice ideas discussed, I liked the way you shared your ideas so comprehensively. Thanks for sharing such a nice post.
Joe

Thanks for the facinating post. I’ve noticed this in the real estate business here in California. It’s like every broker on the planet got the idea that a virtual brokerage was the way to go. It wasn’t just one out-of-state firm applying for a license…500 did within several months.
It reminds me about the history I’ve read regarding great scientific discoveries…rarely was there one guy who hit on an idea that, when looking back, another was already there, or very close to it.
Thanks – Joe
who came up with the idea that nobody had thought
John Papers

Thanks for sharing such a wonderful article with us.
The Business Angel

I see 1000’s of ideas and plans every year and you are right there is a pattern to them. It used to be that a good idea was described as being the best thing since “sliced bread”, but now it’s since “Facebook or Google”.

Yet the idea is not actually the most important thing, yes it must have a chance of being a commercial success (not all good ideas are commercial), but as you indicate, it’s how well you implement that idea.

Generally speed of execution is important, but especially to quickly get the market take-up of your product/service. Getting quick traction and then building on that is the key.
Reality Man

I think you are right in most of the cases. The diffrence is if they apply it or not, as you already said.
A bit discouraging this article, but in the same time a flag for those who wait.

Cheers
Anonymous

Best way I’ve heard this put:

“If you have a good idea, you can be sure that 3 other companies are working on the exact same thing. If you have a great idea? There are 10.”
david

Excellent post. thanks for your piece of advice. ideas do come but it up to you to put it at work.
david

great post. it so true that before you even think about an idea, 3 or more people had even thought of it. ther is nothing likean original idae.
David

insightful post. it is true that before you think of an idea, 2 or more people had already thought of it. is not just the matter of having the idea but you putting it to work to yield a positve result.
Pattaya Girls

it’s bs obvioulsy one guy has the idea first and if they act quick enough will win.

if u assume someone elase has already had your idea your bound to not make as much effort to work on it.
J. Ian Irby

Yes, because that is the difference between CREATIVITY and INNOVATION. There are lots of creative people. Innovation requires getting ideas executed.

I heard someone say that most creative folks would be shocked at what gets funded. Think about it. How many apps or sites do you know with absolutely no monetization built in, which still got millions in funding? And we have thousands more creative types sitting on their ideas and not being innovative (as per my definition above).

Go for it.
Jesus Cardenas

So true, I’ve had had so many great ideas only to find out that they have been done already.. it is a sad feeling lol.
Ocho

The sad part is , this is the painful reality of it. I’ve had so many iphone app ideas, start working into and gathering developers only to have that app show up in the store a week later. Its heart crushing, the business world waits for no one.

Dream it. Think it. Do it asap!
Benjamin Yoskovitz

I wouldn’t see it as discouraging, more something that we know is true but don’t want to admit. I can see why people would get discouraged, but it’s important to recognize what’s going on.
Benjamin Yoskovitz

And since you don’t know if it’s a good, bad or great idea at the beginning, just assume 100 people are working on it flat out 🙂
Benjamin Yoskovitz

There are a lot of companies getting funded right now, no question. The market is quite frothy. But funding isn’t real validation, it’s just proof that someone was willing to give you money. So I’d worry less about that and more about really figuring things out – solving problems, talking to customers, etc. I think seeing all that activity can deter people which is a shame.
MicroSourcing

Even in niche markets, you’ll be surprised how a lot of people are working on similar ideas. That’s where the brand’s unique selling proposition comes in. If there isn’t one, the least you can do is be very clear as to who your target market is.
Reality Man

I agree that this is important to recognize/know. All I’m saying is that the, I would liked much more a positive aproach.
Cheers!
evden eve nakliyat

I think it’s pretty funny Stanford would use a promotional picture,
shedsafe

Nice Article esp very well written. I loved the idea behind it. I’m gonna steal it away.
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