Tips and resources on how to test, develop your startup idea, or find a developer/associate/CTO

startup-noob-guide.md

Startup Noob Guide

If you want to create a startup, and you've never done that before, you should consult the resources that are relevant to your situation.

Prerequisites

First important thing to keep in mind: your idea is worth nothing, it's execution that matters the most.

• Gentle explanation: Why No One Will Steal Your Startup Idea (video)
• Mathematical demonstration: Ideas are just a multiplier of execution
• Angry reaction by Gary Vaynerchuk: You're Out of Business, towards entrepreneurs who ask him to sign a NDA in order to protect their idea pitch, and whine about the difficulty of finding developers.
• No, I won’t be your technical co-founder by Martin Grüner
• [FR] "Une idée n'est qu'une idée. Il est peu probable que ce soit l'idée du siècle, donc ne la mettez pas en avant."
• Is it foolish to go to Startup Weekend-like events and widely pitch my "next Facebook" idea in search of co-founders? on Quora
• William Pietri's answer to Where can I find developers willing to join my startup? on Quora
• [FR] Comments on Comment trouver un associé "développeur" ? by Guilhem Bertholet

Step 1: Test your hypotheses

• [FR] Video: Nanterre Deter #5 : Testez votre idée en 48h by Côme Courteault (The Family)
• [FR] Outils pour tester ses hypothèses sans dev: Nanterre Deter Toolbox (Google Docs)

Step 2: Code it yourself

• [FR] Codez votre premier site web sur Le Wagon On Demand
• Try Codeschool, Codeacademy, Coursera...

Step 3: Find a developer

When approaching developers, keep in mind that:

• They have ideas too, except they probably don't need you for implementing them.
• They will like you if you are impressed by their side projects and problem solving skills.
• They will appreciate your confidence, but make sure to keep cool and humble.
• They hate being considered as coding slaves at your service. => Show what you bring on the table.
• They expect you to be good at something, but may not know the usefulness and/or difficulty of these skills.
• They hate bullshit => express yourself clearly and concisely.

Here are a few ways to reach developers:

• Train your pitch, create a nice profile, and try to seduce developers online:
  • [FR] 1stDev
  • Teamizy
  • Ideasvoice
  • [FR] Skill2invest
  • [FR] TiKi4
• Go out and talk to them directly:
  • SeedNetworking (speed dating for CEO and CTOs)
  • Adopt a CTO
  • Local Meetups and talk with developers (humility, confidence and listening skills are your best friends)
  • If it does not work, sponsor a developer meetup that is the most relevant to your startup ideas

Step 4: Hire a freelance or agency

• Price estimator
• Define your app requirements => direct links to template and instructions
• ...and, if it's a web project relying solely on Javascript platforms (Node.js, Meteor.js, Phonegap), ask me!

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