Why most startup ideas fail

By Busola Bamidele

“Entrepreneurs often start by trying to think of startup ideas, a method that’s doubly dangerous,” says Paul Graham, co-founder of Y Combinator.

“It doesn’t just yield few good ideas; it creates bad ideas that sound plausible enough to fool you into working on them.”

So, how can entrepreneurs avoid this trap? It starts with the discovery phase, where founders sort good ideas from bad ones. Here’s how

Solve Everyday Professional Problems

Start by addressing small inconveniences or inefficiencies in your daily work. Jot down issues that arise, look for patterns, and identify ideas with tangible benefits.

Explore Niche Markets

Niche markets have unmet needs that larger companies overlook. Focusing on these audiences can reveal opportunities with high engagement potential.


Watch Emerging Trends

Trends signal shifts in behavior and demand. By following them, you position yourself to address new market gaps, gaining first-mover advantage.


Engage Users Early

Connect with potential customers to understand their frustrations and needs. Early engagement helps align your product with real user pain points.


Test and Validate Quickly

Embrace the “fail fast” approach. Launch a minimum viable product (MVP) to gauge interest and validate demand before fully committing resources.