Brainstorming unique ideas for startups is becoming more difficult as the years go by. There used to be an app for everything. Now there is a startup for everything.
So, how do you embrace these challenges and succeed? We asked several founders and CEOs to share their advice for generating startup ideas, and we’ve compiled their unique approaches in this article.
1. Join groups and attend seminars.
You may find one of the best ways to help yourself is to get involved with your community. By joining groups, attending industry seminars, and investing in continuing education, you can discover vacancies in services or products.
“That, in a nutshell, is where you will find ideas: filling voids,” says Matthew Capala, CEO of Alphametic, a Miami-based marketing agency. “Mistakenly, people often think startup ideas must be groundbreaking. The reality is that the best startups fill voids of other businesses or simply do things better. However, you are also going to need supporters and adoption for your idea. This is where being a member of a community or industry is going to be critically important.”
2. Identify gaps through awareness.
Great ideas often stem from improving existing concepts rather than creating something entirely new. According to Amy Volas, the founder and CEO of Avenue Talent Partners, an executive recruiting firm in Michigan, you simply have to maintain an awareness of the space around you. You’ll identify common challenges and recurring themes by immersing yourself in your business, marketplace, network, and ecosystem.
“For me, it’s about identifying gaps or blind spots and creating a business to bridge the gap while making meaningful enhancements,” says Volas. “I journal daily, asking myself what challenges and problems I face in my business and those of my customers and peers. I review my data monthly to identify patterns and insights. This reflective practice is the root of each business I’ve launched.”
3. Solve personal problems.
Focusing on solving problems that bother you personally is a great way to generate startup ideas. Alice Cheng, founder of Los Angeles-based business consulting company Alice Lab, says that if a problem affects you, others likely experience it too.
“To validate your idea, start by discussing it with friends and family to gauge their interest and gather feedback,” says Cheng. “Then, conduct thorough market research to understand the demand and potential competition. The key is to identify problems that have urgent and strong needs, as these are more likely to attract customers and investors.”
4. Engage with diverse people.
When you interact with others, you can identify common pain points and unmet needs, fertile ground for innovative ideas. Understanding people’s experiences and challenges can spark creativity and inspire solutions that could turn into thriving businesses.
“I believe one of the most effective ways to generate start-up ideas is through daily interactions with a diverse range of people,” says Sushovan Chatterjee, innovation consultant at T-Hub, an Indian innovation campus. “You gain insights into the various problems they face, whether related to life, career, travel, health, or wealth. It’s a natural human tendency to seek solutions when confronted with problems, and many successful startups have emerged by addressing real-world issues that people encounter.”
5. Observe the world around you.
The perennial advice of “stop trying so hard” can also work if you’re stuck in the ideation phase. Stretch your legs in nature or immerse yourself in a fun activity that keeps your mind busy. More often than not, letting go of the issue brings surprising results.
Jason Smikle, the managing director of trend-tracking app fNograph, says, “A lot of times, I come up with ideas just by walking around and observing the world, especially in a dynamic place like New York City. The energy and fresh ideas are everywhere. Sometimes, you spot interesting solutions to problems outside your field that can be adapted to your business.”
6. Use surveys and focus groups.
You can learn a lot by talking to interested members of your target audience. Why guess when people are willing to tell you exactly what they need?
“Surveys and focus groups are great for coming up with startup ideas because they give you direct feedback from potential customers,” says Chris Christoff, co-founder of MonsterInsights, a fully remote WordPress plugin company. “Ask open-ended questions so you can understand and explore their challenges and frustrations. I’ve found that this qualitative data is perfect for identifying common pain points and unmet needs that could be the foundation for a new product or service.”
7. Turn frustrations into solutions.
It can be easy to get stuck in the ideation phase, but it’s important to avoid getting hung up on finding the perfect concept. Says Scott Gabdullin, the CEO and founder of Learo, a Canadian lead generation service, “What matters most is turning your idea, even a rough one, into a reality.”
Gabdullin explains that the best startup ideas often stem from everyday frustrations: “Look for areas where technology or better processes could make things more efficient, transparent, or simply easier. Focus on problems you’re passionate about solving–that extra fire will fuel your drive to make it work.”
8. Evaluate ideas critically.
The belief that idea generation is difficult may be popular, but it’s not true. It’s easy to come up with something new. What’s challenging is deducing whether or not that concept has teeth.
“Entrepreneurs often struggle not with a lack of ideas, but with an abundance of them,” says Patrick Barnhill, the president of Florida-based e-commerce business Specialist ID, Inc. “The crucial skill is the ability to critically assess each idea’s potential, viability, and alignment with market needs. This involves rigorous analysis, market research, and often, the courage to let go of seemingly promising concepts that don’t stand up to scrutiny.”
