You can’t pursue every idea
February 15, 2008 – 4:40 pmAs an entrepreneur, I am usually scanning the horizons, thinking of new business opportunities, locating market gaps, and so forth. That’s made it both unfortunate and fortunate that I’ve been going through college, getting that higher education. I say unfortunate because it’s lead to a number of ideas or companies that I wish I could have pursued, but because of resources, couldn’t. Not pursuing ideas had lead to a good exercise in letting go (there’s always another market gap). It’s always easier said than done when you see your idea put into action, though. I’ve called a number of things pretty well ahead of time, but there is one in particular that just gets to me.
I called it WebBrayn, they call it WebMynd (still can’t get over the name similarity). I almost created WebBrayn about 2-3 months before I posted the idea (back in April of ‘07) after being sad because of a lack of resources (and time). The idea was quite simple, Google Searches all the web where WebBrayn searches where you’ve been on the web (with the ability to filter, share, etc). I’d estimate that for the amount of time people search for something online, at least 25% of the time it’s for something they’ve already found, been to, or read. This made WebBrayn a no brainer (no pun intended). Obviously the people at WebMynd agreed.
Keep in mind, I am not saying at all that the people at WebMynd stole my idea (even if the name and cocnepts are markedly similar). I wish those guys the best of luck. I think they’ve got something great started and they have good times ahead.
Here’s to letting go! Go use WebMynd!
p.s. I knew I should have bought those domains ;-)
4 Responses to “You can’t pursue every idea”
Hi Nathan - I know exactly how you feel. A few years ago we almost pursued an idea to develop a social networking site to connect people who travel regularly but we didn’t because we thought the problem of getting people to input their travel plans in way that would give plenty of matches was too hard. Now of course we have WAYN and dopplr.
As a founder of WebMynd, I can assure you that we came up with the concept independently in November of last year. It’s great that you think it is a good concept and I would love to hear more about your opinions on how we have implemented it. Do get in touch with us at: founders@webmynd.com.
By Amir Nathoo on Feb 17, 2008
Ouch! Could have been Dopplr is a pretty bad sting :-x
It’s surprising sometimes what we think are frictions to success end up not being.
And not a problem on when you guys came up with it. I hope I didn’t come off as you all “stealing” my idea, as that wasn’t my intention. We all have ideas, it’s the ones who can get off the couch and make them happen that deserve the glory- and that’s what you guys have done :)
Thanks for the invitation to get in touch, Amir, I will see about doing so.
By Nathan Snell on Feb 17, 2008
Actually Google has this feature also. Goto google labs and they have an application called Google Web History that tracks this same stuff.
Plus I remember you told us how much you love Google :)
https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?hl=en&continue=http://www.google.com/history/%3Fzx%3DGKaUvGrFilo&nui=1<mpl=reauth&service=hist&srr=1
By George Hollen on Feb 18, 2008
Great catch, George :)
Google implemented it a while back, actually. It came shortly after they released Google Custom Search which I was planning on hacking to put together the initial prototype of WebBrayn since it would have Google’s server handle all the caching and storing of data as opposed to ours. Unfortunately, GCS didn’t work exactly how they said it would :(
I think WebMynd having the personal search history as more 3rd party allows them a lot more divergence and freedom than if it was all within Google. It also removes some of that “big brother” feel. Not to mention they can do something similar to what the StumbleUpon extension does, thus integrating the users history within Google results.
By Nathan Snell on Feb 18, 2008