Where to take/sell an idea for an app

[Zyraz]

I have an idea for an app that is bound to be very popular .
It will make money and quite a bit at it as well .
However I don't have the skillset to develop/create the app myself .

I would like to either go in partnership with a company/developer where we work on percentages in the ownership on the app (in this case , how do i prevent the other person/company just walking off with my idea ) or just plain straight sell the idea for a lump-sum.

Pointers or directions would be appreciated ?

 

[Necropolis]

Chances of you getting any money just for an idea are slim, imo.

 

[Zyraz]

Chances of you getting any money just for an idea are slim, imo.

Well I guess it depends on the idea .
I believe its unique but very usable and without saying too much , will have benefit to virtually anyone .

I know exactly what i want the app to do and just about how to implement it .
I just don`t have the skill-set to do the "engine" side of things .

 

[JStrike]

Ideas are not worth anything. Every clown and his dog has amazing ideas.
The ability to create something and getting others to use it is worth something. Not ideas.

Start a company and hire somebody to create the app.

 

[Zyraz]

Ideas are not worth anything. Every clown and his dog has amazing ideas.
The ability to create something and getting others to use it is worth something. Not ideas.

Start a company and hire somebody to create the app.

I have considered this but what prevents the developer I hire to not just run away with the intellectual property ?
I think you underestimate the value of ideas.

 

[creeper]

 

[Yuu]

Get it down on paper and whomever you present it to has to sign an NDA. Keep us updated, in these tough times, its good to see someone wanting to try their idea.

PS
I'll sign an NDA just to hear what it is

 

[JStrike]

I have considered this but what prevents the developer I hire to not just run away with the intellectual property ?
I think you underestimate the value of ideas.

What intellectual property? And idea is certainly not intellectual property.
The intellectual property in that scenario would be the code the developer creates for your company.

If you think I'm wrong about ideas being worthless, speak to VC's and see if you can convince them that there is value in an idea.

 

[Zyraz]

speak to VC's and see if you can convince them that there is value in an idea.

Almost too scared to ask but what is a VC ?

 

[Yuu]

Almost too scared to ask but what is a VC ?

Venture Capitalist

 

[Zyraz]

Venture Capitalist

Thanks.

 

[moe46664]

I have considered this but what prevents the developer I hire to not just run away with the intellectual property ?
I think you underestimate the value of ideas.

Look lets be honest. Its going to take much more than a developer to just run away with your idea.
People are inherently lazy - and nobody cares about your idea more than you do. I gurantee that if you post your idea here, the responses you will get will shock you. Not because this forum has bad people (mostly), but because not everyone will beleive in just an idea.

And heres something even more surprising - there are already people out there who have the exact same idea as you. Heck there are even a few apps already out there that do the exact same thing as your brilliant idea.

Heres what matters:
EXECUTION

Hire a developer, have him / her sign an NDA and just start building it. When you take this approach, one of two things can happen:

1. You work closely with the developer to translate your vision and idea into sometyhing tangible, just like how its currently playing out in your head. You build this amazing product that millions will benefit from, and through that you will make the Forbes rich list soon enough. (Note this requires physically and mentally working your a$$ off, not just handing your idea to the developer and expecting it to magically be built in a week. You're going to have to work at a massive pace to make sure that your idea is still relevant while it is being built and make sure you are hands on with the developer that you hire so that dreams can become reality. Also, developers are not cheap. Especially the good ones. I assume that you have a million dolllar idea, so dont expect to pay peanuts to get it built.)

2. You continue worrying about your idea being stolen, and never start anything valuable to begin with. This is the easiest path to go down.

Ideas literally mean nothing.
Yes, they can be VERY powerful if they are executed. But an idea is just that - something that runs around in your head without providing any value to the world.

Finally - if you do know of anyone in the business of buying ideas for a lump sum, let me know. I could retire tomorrow.

 

[moe46664]

+1000000

 

[JStrike]

This. This is exactly it.

The amount of people that want to pitch an idea is crazy. And don't even get me started on people's old fashioned obsession with NDA's. Bringing up an NDA is a sure fire way to get shown the door

 

[Zyraz]

This. This is exactly it.

The amount of people that want to pitch an idea is crazy. And don't even get me started on people's old fashioned obsession with NDA's. Bringing up an NDA is a sure fire way to get shown the door

Well if someone shows me the door on requesting them to sign an NDA , it will be their loss .
I am very certain of the fact that once the app is up , they will regret their choice .

 

[JStrike]

Well if someone shows me the door on requesting them to sign an NDA , it will be their loss .

Not really. As explained so succinctly by Dilbert, ideas are worthless.
The VC, who's entire job it is to invest in projects, would have lost out on something worthless.
They still have their money. You are left with just an idea.
Not really their loss

 

[rundll32]

Else, ask for crowdfunding on thundafund.com then, once you have some startup money - you can then use that for prototype development before trying to get VC

 

[Zyraz]

Not really. As explained so succinctly by Dilbert, ideas are worthless.
The VC, who's entire job it is to invest in projects, would have lost out on something worthless.
They still have their money. You are left with just an idea.
Not really their loss

Well the idea is very simple yet very useful for anyone .
Shouldn't be too hard to develop for most developers .

We talking a couple of days at most if not just a couple of hours .

One of those " I wish I thought of that " things.

Due to the simplicity I will not discuss even small details other than the above .

 

[JStrike]

Well if someone shows me the door on requesting them to sign an NDA , it will be their loss .
I am very certain of the fact that once the app is up , they will regret their choice .

If you are really wanting someone to back you, then the following needs to happen.

You need to drop the attitude about how great the idea is. Believe in it, but do not be arrogant about it. And accept that it is merely an idea.
Drop the talk of NDA's. It is a concept that is no longer used except for in very specific cases. And that case does not apply to you.
Create a company.
Put your own money and time into it. Hire a developer.
Get the beginning of something going.
Start pitching to VC's for backing.

And hopefully you get backing and can execute on your idea. And make millions of $

 

[JStrike]

Else, ask for crowdfunding on thundafund.com then, once you have some startup money - you can then use that for prototype development before trying to get VC

Crowdfunding tends to not work for :

"I have an idea. But I won't tell you what it is until you sign an NDA. But please give me money"