Ideas are worth $0. Nevermind you'll switch the idea to something else.
And the type of person who wants to a get patent first instead of getting users is precisely the kind of person you shouldn't be starting a company with. A patent won't get you customers. How many companies can you friend name that lost to another company because of a patent rather than a thousand other reasons?
Both your fears are valid. Trust your gut. My suggestion: don't start a company with this friend.
I know ideas are worth €0, but it's a bit harsh to just tell him that right away.
>A patent won't get you customers.
Yes, but he's scared that, once it's online, others will want to copy-cat and capture the market.
And I understand his fear, but I don't know enough about patents and legalese to relay his fears.
>Both your fears are valid. Trust your gut. My suggestion: don't start a company with this friend.
Thanks :)
But I like this friend and want to start a company with him, just not the way he wants to (throwing money around without having even a prototype)
I also have a friend I want to start a startup with. But like you're friend, he has the same misconceptions about businesses most people have. But I like him & I think we would make a great team. So my plan is to watch http://startupclass.samaltman.com/ with him before we start anything.
Ideas are worth $0. Nevermind you'll switch the idea to something else.
And the type of person who wants to a get patent first instead of getting users is precisely the kind of person you shouldn't be starting a company with. A patent won't get you customers. How many companies can you friend name that lost to another company because of a patent rather than a thousand other reasons?
Both your fears are valid. Trust your gut. My suggestion: don't start a company with this friend.