Scared to Share Your Idea?

Now that we are thick into January, it feels like things are back in gear. That means potentially vision boards made, back into school/work, and even new startup ideas in progress. 

There’s a lot of buzz circulating now from new venture strategy to fresh pitches to communicate with the world, and that is what I wanted to focus on in this week’s newsletter. Today’s include:

• What recommendations I would have if you are new to sharing your idea. (Or maybe you have been doing this for a while and still feel nervous sharing!)

• A few great opportunities for founders like you to take a look at

So let’s jump in!

There may be a few reasons you feel this way, and trust me, I get it. I was there nervously at my first networking drinks, fidgeting with the canape napkin wondering what to say, and what not to about my two week old venture.

To help maybe not just this person, but others, let’s break this down into a few common reasons people can get hesitant about sharing their ideas.

 “My idea isn’t “ready-enough” to share with people.”

This is just a myth. To put it bluntly, it will never be ready enough. As a founder, from the day that idea is a tiny seed, you are always pitching: for feedback, support, buy in, and later on even investment.  It is better to practice these conversations now and refine your idea than waste time tinkering on it in your head–where only one person can give their perspective. 

Personally, I love when people come and talk to me about the messy spaghetti of an idea, because then you have time to untangle it, and get feedback on it before you put more time and more effort into it.

/TThis can also expedite your start up clarity more than you can imagine!

“I am worried about other people stealing my ideas.”

Ideas are ephemeral. There are millions and millions of ideas out there every minute, but whoever takes action on the ideas will be the ones who end up at the top.

Chances are, people do not have the time, skillset, money or same passion that you do to take your idea. And, even if they did, the way you approach the problem or frame the solution won’t look like how someone else would. (Take the example of X/Twitter and BlueSky– similar, but very different.) Startups are a game of follow-through, and no one will execute like you.

Sharing your ideas may actually turn potential competitors into collaborators, and gain more momentum than you realize around your idea.

“I am nervous about what others will think.”

Genuinely, who hasn’t felt this way? It is true, and it can be scary. Whenever we have been tinkering away or drafting up our venture plan, it is natural to take feedback or people’s reactions personally. (Been there, and happy to share more about that and my first rejection email from a client!) 

But, as an entrepreneur, criticism and feedback are not the enemy. We have to have our own convictions in our idea, yet the flexibility to take on feedback, when it is warranted. People are, and will have their own opinions about your idea. But don’t let them, or even the anxiety of approaching them, steal your passion or momentum.

“My idea is too unique to share.”

Now, I am a firm believer that ideas are meant to be shared (if you couldn’t tell), but I would never tell a founder to share something they are uncomfortable with or share with someone they are uncomfortable with. These include things like trade secrets or confidential IP. But, if you are seeking an NDA before you share or mention your startup concept, I also hate to say that usually does not happen out in the field.

This article is an old one, but a good one from Forbes. But it highlights the analogy: when it comes to your startup share the cookie, not the recipe.

As a founder, you will be networking, on stages, pitching, you name it–-you will need to be able to articulate the cookie of your business idea, and can/should be able to do that, without giving away the recipe.

How Best to Share?

One thing I encourage across the board, is to start sharing your idea with people and groups who will give you smart validation, not just an emotional response or flippant advice. And, the best people to give you this advice are: startup supporters like mentors, professors, experts, customers/potential users, fellow entrepreneurs in your universities or startup spaces, or even early stage investors.

Discussing your idea turns assumptions into early stage validation, passion into action, and ideas into real-world momentum. (And, if you ever need a sounding board, I am here to help!)

Got a question like this? Would love to know what is on your mind… don’t hesitate to submit your own Question of the Day (QoD)!

I wanted to share a January round up of opportunities and grants that have been popping up on my feed:

(US Based Founders) Afore Capital Grants

• $1,000 non-dilutive grant with mentorship from top experts and former founders to turn ideas into early stage validation.

(US Based) 1517 Fund Medici Grant

• $1,000 non-dilutive grant for early innovators, makers, and founders who are in high school or university looking to make the world better.

(Legally be able to work in US) Activate Fellowship

• $100,000 stipend and $100,000 research and development grant for 0% equity for scientific founders with TRL traction or building real products within certain sectors like built environment, life sciences, battery, climate, and more. 

(European Focused Work/Founders) Da Vinci Fellowship

•  €150,000 nondilutive grant for young ‘contrarian’  Europeans working on tech and engineering  projects

(UK Based) Women in Innovation Awards

• £75,000 nondilutive grants and mentorship programme for women across innovation sectors in the UK

If this has been useful to you or if you have feedback to improve, please drop me a quick line. Or share with a friend!