5 Ways to Find Validated Startup Ideas

5 Ways to Find Validated Startup Ideas
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If you’re a first time founder, you shouldn’t be trying to come up with a brand new idea.
Instead, you should go look at the market, figure out what’s already selling or in demand, and build your own version of it.
Don’t build a copycat product, don’t be an idiot. Take a unique angel on the product/geography/demography/pricing etc. There are so many vectors you can iterate on that you should never have to build a copycat. EVEN when you’re taking inspiration from already successful ideas.
Now, let’s look at 5 ways you can find validated startup ideas -

Indie Hackers Products Database

This is a gold mine to find validated, proven ideas from other Indie Hackers.
Apply these filters -
  • Category: AI (or your choice)
  • Funding: Self funded
  • Initial Commitment: Side Project
  • Revenue Verification: tripe verified
Sort by Revenue - High to Low
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Directories + Ahrefs

Looking up popular directories on Ahrefs is a great way to find new startup ideas
Based on "alternatives" they rank for
Go to "Site Explorer" tab
  • Site - thereisanaiforthat
  • Keyword - "alternative"
  • Max KD - 20
  • Min volume - 100
Clear demand from solution aware customers -
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Categories + Ahrefs

Researching a product category or a product keyword is also a great way to find new startup ideas.
  • Go to "Keywords Explorer" tab
  • Type in your category
  • Set the maximum KD to 20
  • And look for keywords with GSV > 500
Clear validated SEO demand
No guessing.
This is what I found for "AI Tools" -
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I have a course in my community around how to use Ahrefs to find new ideas, spy on competition and more.. You might find that useful.

Reddit Research

Going to a subreddit focused on a niche or a product category is a great way to find new ideas to build.
Just go to a big enough subreddit and see which apps are people looking for alternatives to. Type in “alternative” in the search bar.
These ideas are -
  • Validated
  • Solve a pain point
  • Filling a void in the market
Your first 10 paying customers will be folks hanging out in that subreddit every day.
This is r/MacApps -
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Replace Freelancers

If you’re looking to build an AI product, then use this strategy.
Just automate the best selling freelance services on platforms like Fiverr and Upwork.
  • Proven pains
  • Evergreen demand
  • Clear expected outcomes
Clients already paying for this work -
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Final Thoughts

Ideas are dime a dozen, its all about the execution.
So don’t spend too much obsessing over finding the right idea, just pick something from the list above, and start executing.
Your real challenge (and moat) is in the execution of the idea, not in the idea itself.
Cheers 🙌

From the vault -

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Ayush

Written by

Ayush

Eternally Curious. Writing, Learning, Building in Public. Writing about Ideas + Inspiration + Insights for creators, solopreneurs and indie hackers | Simple tips and frameworks to help you build a sustainable solo business

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