Startup Ideation
Run structured startup brainstorming and apply Why Now and differentiation tests before committing to build.
Overview
startup-ideation is an agent skill most often used in Idea (also Validate scope, Launch distribution planning) that structures brainstorming and evaluation using Why Now and differentiated-sourcing frameworks.
Install
npx skills add https://github.com/refoundai/lenny-skills --skill startup-ideationWhat is this skill?
- Background-first intake: skills, firsthand problems, and personal experience
- Information-diet review to avoid idea tarpits and echo chambers
- Why Now analysis tied to tech shifts (e.g. AI, Web3) and behavior changes
- Guest frameworks from 2 product leaders (Dalton Caldwell, Ryan Hoover)
- Evaluate whether an idea is worth pursuing before prototyping
- 2 guest product leaders
- 2 curated mention sources in the insight pack
Adoption & trust: 2k installs on skills.sh; 1k GitHub stars; 3/3 security scanners passed (skills.sh audits).
What problem does it solve?
You have vague startup curiosity but no disciplined way to find non-obvious ideas or decide if one is worth your time.
Who is it for?
First-time or repeat indie builders exploring SaaS, content, or commerce ideas who want interview-backed ideation prompts instead of random idea lists.
Skip if: Teams with an approved spec ready to implement, or founders who only need technical architecture without market framing.
When should I use this skill?
Brainstorming business ideas, finding a startup concept, evaluating whether an idea is worth pursuing, or looking for unique market opportunities.
What do I get? / Deliverables
You leave with evaluated concepts anchored in your background, a Why Now story, and a clearer go/no-go before scope or prototype work.
- Shortlist of evaluated idea hypotheses
- Why Now narrative per top candidate
- Go/no-go notes before prototype or landing work
Recommended Skills
Journey fit
Spans multiple journey phases - primary shelf plus alternate fits below.
Ideation and opportunity discovery are the canonical entry point; the same frameworks reuse when rescoping before validate. Discover subphase covers differentiated information diet, off-beaten-path ideas, and technology-shift framing—not just competitor lists.
Where it fits
Map your skills and off-beaten-path problems before picking a niche to research.
Stress-test a crowded category with Why Now and behavior-shift questions.
Cut scope on a weak concept after the pursue/drop evaluation pass.
Reframe pitch around what is newly possible for distribution narratives.
How it compares
Use for facilitated ideation and tests, not as a replacement for customer interviews or live validation experiments.
Common Questions / FAQ
Who is startup-ideation for?
Solo builders and small teams early in the journey who need help generating and filtering startup ideas from personal experience and market shifts.
When should I use startup-ideation?
In Idea when brainstorming or avoiding tarpits; in Validate when rescoping; before Launch when reframing distribution around a sharper Why Now narrative.
Is startup-ideation safe to install?
Check this page’s Security Audits panel for repository risk; the skill is advisory content with no inherent shell or network requirements.
SKILL.md
READMESKILL.md - Startup Ideation
# Startup Ideation - All Guest Insights *2 guests, 2 mentions* --- ## Dalton Caldwell *Dalton Caldwell* > "Try to go more off the beaten path either from your personal experience..." **Insight:** The transcript contains deep insights into how to select an initial idea, avoiding 'tarpits,' and diversifying one's 'information diet' to find unique opportunities. ## Ryan Hoover *Ryan Hoover* > "What new thing can you build today that couldn't be built yesterday? And so, there's- there's a bunch of categories around there, like Web3, AI." **Insight:** The guest discusses specific frameworks for finding new ideas, including observing technology shifts, consumer behavior shifts, and the 'Why Now' analysis. --- name: startup-ideation description: Help users generate and evaluate startup ideas. Use when someone is brainstorming business ideas, trying to find a startup concept, evaluating whether an idea is worth pursuing, or looking for unique market opportunities. --- # Startup Ideation Help the user generate and evaluate startup ideas using frameworks and insights from 2 product leaders. ## How to Help When the user asks for help with startup ideation: 1. **Understand their background** - Ask about their personal experience, skills, and what problems they've encountered firsthand 2. **Explore information sources** - Discuss what they read, who they talk to, and whether their information diet is differentiated 3. **Apply the Why Now test** - Help them identify what has changed that makes this idea newly possible 4. **Identify tarpit risks** - Flag common idea patterns that attract many founders but rarely succeed ## Core Principles ### Go off the beaten path Dalton Caldwell: "Try to go more off the beaten path either from your personal experience." The best startup ideas come from unique personal experiences and perspectives that others don't have access to. Avoid starting from popular trends that everyone is chasing. ### Ask what's newly possible Ryan Hoover: "What new thing can you build today that couldn't be built yesterday?" Look for technology shifts (like AI or Web3), behavior shifts, or infrastructure changes that create new opportunities that weren't viable before. ### Diversify your information diet Build a unique perspective by consuming information from sources that most founders don't. If everyone reads the same articles and follows the same people, everyone will have the same ideas. ### Avoid idea tarpits Certain startup ideas are attractive to many founders but rarely succeed. Be skeptical of ideas in crowded spaces where hundreds of companies have already tried and failed. ## Questions to Help Users - "What problem have you personally experienced that frustrated you deeply?" - "What do you know or have access to that most people don't?" - "Why is this idea possible now when it wasn't possible two years ago?" - "How many other startups are working on something similar, and why did they fail?" - "What would have to be true for this to be a billion-dollar business?" ## Common Mistakes to Flag - **Starting from trends instead of problems** - Chasing hot topics like AI without a specific problem leads to undifferentiated products - **Identical information diet** - Reading the same sources as every other founder produces the same ideas - **Ignoring the Why Now** - Ideas without a clear reason they're newly possible often indicate missed timing - **Tarpit ideas** - Certain idea categories attract founders repeatedly despite low success rates ## Deep Dive For all 2 insights from 2 guests, see `references/guest-insights.md` ## Related Skills - Measuring Product-Market Fit - Defining Product Vision - Working Backwards - Startup Pivoting