Have You Ever Founded a Company or Thought of Founding One?

[VetLegion]

I've been toying with the idea of founding my own company. I'd like to get a couple of bright guys together and do something technology related. A new software product? A commercial web site? I don't know yet.

It's not that I'm unhappy at work, quite contrary. It's simply that I'd like to build something from scratch in a startup. Hopefully something that earns me money but that's not my only motivation.

Two questions for you:

1. Have You Ever Founded a Company or Thought of Founding One?

2. Do you first need an idea, or can you start first and hope to get an idea later?

[LordShiva]

After b-school I'm probably going into some sort of mix between private equity, venture capital, and startup consulting, so I won't be founding companies, but I'll be buying out people with good ideas and using them to make myself rich and famous

[snoopy369]

Nope, and yep.

[VetLegion]

Originally posted by LordShiva
After b-school I'm probably going into some sort of mix between private equity, venture capital, and startup consulting, so I won't be founding companies, but I'll be buying out people with good ideas and using them to make myself rich and famous

Great, when I have my idea I'm going to pitch it to you

[VetLegion]

Snoopy369 elaborate a bit. Subject area, motives...?

[LordShiva]

Originally posted by VetLegion


Great, when I have my idea I'm going to pitch it to you

But I'm going to do it in an exploitative, rapacious way in which I grow disproportionately rich off other peoples' ideas. If that works for you, then we should talk

[Riesstiu IV]

I founded Zombo.com. The services Zombo.com offer makes Google look like a child's website.

[-Jrabbit]

My wife and I each run our own corporations, both home-based. Hers is manufacturing/sales, mine is more consulting based.

You should definitely have a game plan going in.

[snoopy369]

Nope, I have never thought of founding a company, and Yes, you need an idea first.

Idea = "concrete plan of what good/service you intend to sell/produce/market with this company, and thoroughly thought out business plan that describes how you will fund it, what you will sell/produce/market, who you will sell/market it to / produce it for, why there is a market for your good/service, and what return you expect in the short/medium/long term."

Also some other stuff, but I've not thought this through so I don't have all of the answers

[Combat Ingrid]

Zombo.com

[Riesstiu IV]

You can do anything at zombo.com... anything at all. The only limit is yourself.

[Combat Ingrid]

Indeed it's true. Zombo.com changed my life for the better. Please accept my eternal gratitude.

[Kontiki]

I thought about starting one, but I decided to take a nap instead.

[Zkribbler]

I founded North American Software....way back at a time when there were NO software companies selling to consumers. You bought your Radio TRS-80 and programmed it yourself.

Mine was a brilliant idea. Unfortunally, I soon learned that I needed over $100 to publish the name in the Fictious Names portion of the classified. I didn't have the $100.

End of company.

[Lancer]

I've started a contracting co 3 times. Once in Jersey and twice here in Oregon. Also started a bookstore which was alot of fun and a good way to meet girls and go hungry.