Assaf Ben-DavidMentor, Entrepreneur, Lawyer, Public Speaker
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Experienced Startup Mentor, Commercial lawyer, Lecturer & public speaker. I've helped over 300 entrepreneurs & 100+ startups. Taught tens of courses and given hundreds of talks. Founder of the Legal Clinic for Startups.


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Great question.
A few tips that might be helpful:
1. Stop looking for new ideas. Instead, try look for problems/pains that people or companies have. Once you've found the pain point, then work on the solution.
2. Market research shouldn't be taking you a lot of time. At least not the initial research. It should be lean (fast) just to get a quick understanding of the market. Maybe you're spending too much time researching and not validating your assumptions? Read a bit about the Lean startup. You can also read my short article about validating your idea: https://startuplawyer.co.il/everything-you-need-to-know-about-a-privacy-policy-for-your-website-or-mobile-app/ (article will be up in a day. I'm busy updating and backing up the website).
And remember: Facebook wasn't the first social platform. Google wasn't the first search engine and Tinder wasn't the first dating app. Meaning that even if someone is doing it, doesn't mean that it still isn't something you could/should do.

Good luck!

I am a mentor on Startups.com, an international lecturer on entrepreneurship and negotiation, and a commercial startup lawyer. I've successfully helped over 400 entrepreneurs, startups and businesses and I would be happy to help you. When scheduling a call, please send me some background information and the 2 main questions you want answered so that I can prepare in advance (to give you maximum value for your money). My reviews: https://clarity.fm/assafben-david


Hi
Good question.
There are definitely documents between co-founders. The most important one being a 'co-founder' agreement. I draft lots of them each month, and this is a very important agreement (especially considering that the #3 reason for startup failures is fights between co-founders).
You also want to be sure that the stock is allocated to you. This can be done by giving you a A Deed of Assignment of Stock Subscription, or by updating the company registrar of the transfer of stocks (shares) - but the process depends on which state the company is registered in.

Good luck

I am a mentor on Startups.com, an international lecturer on entrepreneurship and negotiation, and a commercial startup lawyer. I've successfully helped over 400 entrepreneurs, startups and businesses and I would be happy to help you. When scheduling a call, please send me some background information and the 2 main questions you want answered so that I can prepare in advance (to give you maximum value for your money). My reviews: https://clarity.fm/assafben-david


If it's feasible then yes. But in this industry you really(!) need to know what you are doing! Many have tried and failed. Consider leasing an airplane first to see if there's demand and if the economics of the business make sense.

Good luck


Please provide me with more details and I will be happy to check if I can point you in the right direction.
What is the tech? Defense of what? Cyber?
What stage are you at? What is your background? Is the software ready? How was it written.

So much missing info...


This is not legal advice, because it depends on a lot of information that is missing, but just to give you a general understanding:
Citing/referring to the source of the information does not mean it is ok for you to use that information - even if the information is "public". If I leave my car out in a public parking lot, it is still mine and leaving it there doesn't mean that you can use it. The same applies to me putting something on the internet. Even if it's public (like on Google), doesn't mean I am allowing you to use it. Each piece of information (statistics, pictures, music...) is owned by someone, and either they offer a license which tells you how you can/can't use it, or you have to contact them and get their explicit permission.

I am a mentor on Startups.com, an international lecturer on entrepreneurship and negotiation, and a commercial startup lawyer. I've successfully helped over 400 entrepreneurs, startups and businesses and I would be happy to help you. When scheduling a call, please send me some background information and the 2 main questions you want answered so that I can prepare in advance (to give you maximum value for your money). My reviews: https://clarity.fm/assafben-david


Hi
How to find a co-founder:
1. Go to networking events - some of which are dedicated to “co-founders dating/matching” - try www.meetup.com for this.
You can also try www.founderdating.com or www.cofounderslab.com or http://www.founders-nation.com or www.founder2be.com
2. Take part in chats in relevant forums (depending on the type of co-founder you’re looking for).
3. Consider joining accelerator/incubator programs for startups/entrepreneurs - some of them connect between founders.
4. Contact head of programs at universities and tell them what you’re looking for. Today, many universities and cities have startup programs with a lot of talented participants (or speakers) who might be the perfect co-founder for you.
5. Talk to friends and family and let them know that you’re looking. This helps expand your network. Post a message on www.LinkedIn.com .

I am a mentor on Startups.com, an international lecturer on entrepreneurship and negotiation, and a commercial startup lawyer. I've successfully helped over 400 entrepreneurs, startups and businesses and I would be happy to help you. When scheduling a call, please send me some background information and the 2 main questions you want answered so that I can prepare in advance (to give you maximum value for your money). My reviews: https://clarity.fm/assafben-david


Hi
Firstly, it's great that you want to help people. It's also great that you have a business that is doing well from a financial point.
I am not a tax expert, but you would need to check the tax implications of funding one business from the profits of another. I do believe that this is possible, but a feasible tax structure would need to be setup. Regardless, I would NOT use profits from one business to fund the other, but rather think of a business model (+ grants, donations ect.) as a means of funding.
As for grants and social services:
Social services: from my knowledge, if you mean the official government social services, then they don't have much of a budget. As for grants: you most definitely can apply. Just take into account that it takes a lot of time, and they often require you to be a registered entity (non-profits of sorts).

I am a mentor on Startups.com, an international lecturer on entrepreneurship and negotiation, and a commercial startup lawyer. I've successfully helped over 400 entrepreneurs, startups and businesses and I would be happy to help you. When scheduling a call, please send me some background information and the 2 main questions you want answered so that I can prepare in advance (to give you maximum value for your money). My reviews: https://clarity.fm/assafben-david
Good luck


Hi
I would offer your service/platform to student bodies (student council) at universities and high-schools. I assume (but you would need to check) that they are your target audience and by onboarding one university, you would potentially get hundreds/thousands of clients (the students).

Good luck

I am a mentor on Startups.com, a lecturer, and a startup lawyer. I've successfully helped over 400 entrepreneurs, startups and businesses and I would be happy to help you. After scheduling a call, please send me some background information and the 2 main questions you want answered so that I can prepare in advance (to give you maximum value for your money). My reviews: https://clarity.fm/assafben-david


Hi
The question is a little vague but I'll my best.
1. An accountant or maybe book manager (depending on the business)
2. A commercial attorney/lawyer.
3. Someone in charge of operations.
You might not have to have these people as co-founders and it might be enough to use them as service providers at specific stages. Again: it really depends (1) what the exact business is, (2) what your background is and (3) what you're looking for (someone to take the journey with you or just someone to do what you need and that's it).
Good luck


Hi
Unless you're doing something really unique (and even then...) it is actually advised that you start with something that already exists in order to first test the market and see that your idea/business is indeed feasible. Once you've validated your idea, you can spend money (if need be) on creating something tailor made.
By testing a simple platform first, you will learn a lot about the market, the users, what things you should do different etc....
I am a mentor on Startups.com, a lecturer, and a startup lawyer. I've successfully helped over 400 entrepreneurs, startups and businesses and I would be happy to help you. After scheduling a call, please send me some background information and the 2 main questions you want answered so that I can prepare in advance (to give you maximum value for your money). My reviews: https://clarity.fm/assafben-david


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