The Startup Ideas Podcast

Greg Isenberg
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The Startup Ideas Podcast

Get your creative juices flowing with The Startup Ideas Podcast. Published twice a week, we bring you free startup ideas to inspire your next venture. Hosted by Greg Isenberg, CEO of Late Checkout and former advisor to Reddit and TikTok. Subscribe so you don't miss out. For more startup ideas, we created a database of 30+ startup ideas you can take at https://gregisenberg.com/30startupideas

  1. 3D AGO

    I Built a $10M AI Startup as a College Dropout (Exact Strategy That Worked)

    David Park, founder of Jenny AI, details his step-by-step approach to building a profitable AI startup that reached $10 million in annual recurring revenue. He emphasizes starting with organic short-form content and influencer marketing before moving to SEO and paid advertising. Park attributes much of Jenny AI's success to finding viral content formats that could be repeated with variations, working with the right influencers regardless of follower count, and focusing on retention metrics as the company scaled. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro03:00 - Organic Short Form Content08:25 - The Power of Fresh Accounts in Influencer Marketing11:17 - Case Study: MengMengDuck and Influencer Partnerships18:01 - New Creator Guidelines25:57 - Order of Virality: Steps to Achieve Success30:55 - Finding Influencers36:21 - Outreach Strategies40:34 - Negotiating with Influencers44:50 - Content posting strategy49:15 - Final UGC Tips 51:52 - SEO Strategy57:00 -  Paid Ads Playbook59:53 - David's final advice:01:02:08 - From $5M to $10M 1) ORGANIC SHORT-FORM CONTENT  David's shocking truth: Fresh accounts with 1 follower can OUTPERFORM accounts with millions! The algorithm rewards quality, not history. 2) The "Fresh Account" Strategy: • Create new accounts specifically for your product• Find creators to be the face of these accounts• Pay them to create consistent content• Focus on hooks that resonate with your audience 3) The Viral Series Formula  Find ONE format that works, then repeat it with slight variations. Example: "POV: You have an essay due" videos for Jenny AI generated 300M+ views and $500K+ in revenue! 4) INFLUENCER MARKETING  Don't waste time with mega-influencers charging $20K per post. Instead:• Find creators whose audience matches your users• Create a new account with them as the face• Pay for consistent content (not one-offs)• Let them maintain their authentic style 5) How to find the RIGHT influencers: • Ask your users which creators they follow• Create a "scout" account that only follows relevant creators• Let the algorithm suggest similar accounts• Look for creators with high engagement (not just followers) 6) Outreach hack that WORKS: Send money via Venmo to influencers you want to work with! They'll get a push notification and respond out of curiosity. 7) Negotiation strategy: • Start by asking for their HIGHEST price point (all features)• Remove elements you don't need to lower the price• Negotiate bulk deals (20% off for multiple videos)• Split payment between upfront and performance-based NEVER pay based on follower count - that's outdated! 8) Content posting strategy: • Post 1+ videos DAILY to test different hooks• Trust creators to maintain their authentic style• Create systems that let influencers work autonomously• Don't be afraid of videos looking like ads - they convert BETTER Scale to a video every few hours! 9) David's final advice: "I'm a non-technical founder, a college dropout, not from Silicon Valley. If I can build this, YOU CAN TOO." - David Park "The truth? Only 1% of people reading this will implement these strategies for a full year." - David Park Notable Quotes "We had one video that got 20 million views that had almost a negligible effect on conversions that day for Jenny. It was as if we got zero views, like nothing really happened that day. And yeah, it's just important to create content for people that actually want to convert and want to actually use your product." - David Park "I'm a non-technical person. I'm a non-technical founder doing an AI startup. I am a college dropout. I would not say I'm like one of those cracked people. I'm not from Silicon Valley... and I was able to kind of build this company." - David Park Want more free ideas? I collect the best ideas from the pod and give them to you for free in a database. Most of them cost $0 to start (my fav) Get access: https://www.gregisenberg.com/30startupideas LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/ BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/ BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/ Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co FIND ME ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenbergInstagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/ FIND DAVID ON SOCIAL Jenni AI: https://jenni.aiX/Twitter: https://x.com/Davidjpark96Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paviddark/

    1h 9m

  2. 5D AGO

    My Secret Framework for Building $1M Products

    Today’s episode  features Jake Knapp (creator of the Design Sprint), Jonathan Courtney (Founder and CEO of AJ & Smart). We explore how to evaluate and build successful AI products. They use Jake's Foundation Sprint framework to analyze JC's concept for an app that helps entrepreneurs balance content consumption with creation. The conversation demonstrates how to move from initial idea to clear differentiation strategy, emphasizing the importance of first principles thinking before technical implementation. Timestamps:00:00 - Intro01:36 - Startup Idea: Hit Me App04:28 - The Foundation Sprint Overview05:16 - Step 1: Customer07:50 - Step 2: Problem12:25 - Step 3: Capability15:20 - Step 4: Insight23:34 - Step 5: Motivation31:44 - Step 6: Competitors 38:57 - How to use AI in the Development Process41:55 - Differentiation Analysis51:58 - Reviewing Foundation Sprint  Click Book: https://www.theclickbook.com Key Points:• Introduction to the Foundation Sprint framework for evaluating startup ideas• Discussion of building AI wrappers and product differentiation• Exploration of a case study: “Hit Me” - an app for controlling digital consumption• Detailed walkthrough of the basics canvas: customer, problem, capabilities, insights• Analysis of differentiation strategies and competitive positioning 1) The Foundation Sprint Framework:• Start with the basics• Define clear differentiation• Map possible product forms• Test & validate assumptions Key insight: Most founders skip this critical planning phase!  2) The Basics Framework includes: • Customer identification• Problem definition• Special capabilities• Key insights• Core motivation• Competitor analysis Pro tip: Write these down BEFORE touching any code! 3) Real Example Breakdown:JC pitched his “Hit Me” app idea:• Target: Entrepreneurs (25-40)• Problem: Digital overconsumption• Insight: Consumption vs Creation balance• Motivation: Personal struggle with anxiety• Competition: Self-control & existing blockers 4) Key Differentiator Exercise:Plot your product on scales:• Speed (not important)• Intelligence (basic)• Ease of use (very easy)• Price (free)• Focus (targeted) The goal: Find your unique position in the market  5) Major Insight:Most digital wellness apps focus on REMOVING distractionsThe opportunity: Build tools that REPLACE consumption with creationThis is the kind of differentiation that makes marketing easy!  6) Framework Benefits:• Clarifies fuzzy ideas• Forces first principles thinking• Reveals hidden opportunities• Saves time & resources• Prevents building "Homer's Car"  Notable Quotes:"It's hard to build when your hands are on fire." - Greg"If you don't have clear differentiation, you need to be a god tier marketer to sell something." - JC LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/ BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/ BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/ Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co FIND ME ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenbergInstagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/ FIND JONATHAN ON SOCIALX/Twitter: https://twitter.com/JicecreamLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-courtney-4510644b/AJ&Smart: https://ajsmart.com FIND JAKE ON SOCIALX/Twitter: https://x.com/jakekWebsite: https://jakeknapp.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-knapp/

    57 min

  3. FEB 19

    Perplexity vs ChatGPT "Deep Research" For Startup Ideas Shocked Me

    Get Greg’s Deep research research notes: https://www.gregisenberg.com/deep-research-ideas I compare in real-time ChatGPT's and Perplexity's deep research capabilities for developing startup ideas. Both platforms were prompted to generate AI agent business ideas with specific revenue targets ($1M Y1, $3M Y2, $5M Y3). The results showed that Perplexity provided faster, more concise responses, while ChatGPT offered more detailed, comprehensive analysis but took longer to generate responses. Key Points:• Comparison between ChatGPT Pro ($200/month) and Perplexity Deep Research (free/~$20/month) for startup ideation• Both platforms were tested with identical prompts for creating AI-based startup ideas• Comparison of response speed, depth, and quality between the two platforms• Practical demonstration of how to use AI tools for business planning and market research Timestamps:00:00 - Intro01:33 - Defining the Startup Prompt02:29 - Initiating Research with ChatGPT05:05 - Initiating Research with Perplexity09:13 -  Perplexity results (Legal Contract AI)15:44 - ChatGPT results (AI Sales Outreach Assistant)26:10 - Comparing Perplexity and ChatGPT Outputs27:55 - Follow-Up Prompts and Further Exploration31:55 - Perplexity's Follow-Up results34:43 - ChatGPT's Follow-Up results 37:07 - Where to get Greg’s Deep research research notes37:31 - Conclusion: Choosing Between Tools 1) THE SETUP:• Testing ChatGPT Pro ($200/mo) vs Perplexity Deep Research ($20/mo)• Same prompt: Build a defensible AI agent startup• Target: $5M ARR in 3 years• MVP budget: $5K 2) PERPLEXITY AI WINS ON SPEED • Completed research in ~2 mins• Analyzed 34+ sources• More concise, actionable insights• Free tier available! 3) CHATGPT WINS ON DEPTH • Longer, more detailed analysis• Comprehensive playbooks• Better market context• More examples & case studies 4) BEST STARTUP IDEAS GENERATED: Legal Contract AI (Perplexity):• $2.4B market opportunity• Auto-redline contracts• Defensible through learning• Clear path to $5.4M ARR AI Sales Assistant (ChatGPT):• Virtual SDR automation• Network effect moat• Product-led growth strategy• $100M+ potential 5) MVP INSIGHTS: For $5K budget:• Use existing APIs (OpenAI/GPT-4)• Start with Chrome extension• Focus on single workflow• Manual fallback for quality• Self-serve freemium model 6) KEY TAKEAWAYS: Both tools are INSANELY good• Perplexity = Fast, concise, free tier• ChatGPT = Deeper analysis, more context• Both provide actionable insights• Worth integrating into workflow 7) PROTIP:For best results:• Be specific with constraints• Ask follow-up questions• Double-click on interesting areas• Cross-reference competitor insights Bottom line: These AI research tools are an unfair advantage for founders right now. Notable Quotes:"Distribution is the new moat" - Greg"This is an unfair advantage right now" - Greg regarding AI research tools Conclusion: Both platforms demonstrated valuable capabilities, with Perplexity offering speed and efficiency while ChatGPT provided more comprehensive analysis. The video suggests both tools can be effective for startup planning, with the choice depending on user preferences for depth versus speed. Want more free ideas? I collect the best ideas from the pod and give them to you for free in a database. Most of them cost $0 to start (my fav) Get access: https://www.gregisenberg.com/30startupideas LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/ BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/ BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/ Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co FIND ME ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenbergInstagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/

    39 min

  4. FEB 17

    7 validated startup ideas that will make $100K/month (and how to grow them)

    Join us for an engaging conversation with Cody Schneider, Co-Founder and CEO of Swell AI, as we explore a wide range of AI startup ideas and business opportunities with detailed analysis of market opportunities, implementation strategies, and potential revenue models. Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction and technical setup01:31 - Startup Idea 1: Lightroom Preset SaaS04:41 - Startup Idea 2: Domain Portfolio for Lead Gen10:56 -Startup Idea 3: E-commerce newsletter AI tools15:19 -Startup Idea 4: High-LTV SaaS Services20:08 - Startup Idea 5: Productized Service  Agency28:11 - Startup Idea 6: Dog park bar concept32:53 - Startup Idea 7: Micro app Studio Key Points:• Detailed discussion of an AI-powered Lightroom preset subscription business opportunity• Analysis of e-commerce newsletter AI tools and market potential• Exploration of physical business concept: Dog park combined with bar• Discussion of micro-apps trend and opportunity in riding viral waves 1) Lightroom Preset SaaS Photographers spend $$$ on presets. Time to disrupt.• Build AI tool to generate Lightroom presets from sample photos• Convert XML packets at scale• $29/month subscription model• Target Adobe users on FB ads Infinite margins. Just code. 2) Domain Portfolio for Lead Gen Law firms do it. Now apply it everywhere.• Buy 1000+ exact-match domains for niche keywords• Rank organically (still works!)• Bundle leads to specific industries• Sell entire portfolio to PE firms 40k+ per lead in some niches  3) AI for Ecomm Newsletters People hate coding email templates.• AI chat interface for newsletter design• Product storytelling automation• Holiday campaign generation• Template modification without code Klaviyo users desperate for this. 4) Lalo Agency Play New CRM taking music industry by storm.• Help artists build fan lists• Run targeted merch giveaways• Geographic targeting for tours• Less than $1 cost per signup All major labels switching over  5) Dog Park Bar Concept The millennial country club is here. • Combine dog park + bar• Add app for daily dog updates• Target high-income dog owners• Members-only model potential 4pm is packed every day  6) Micro AI Apps Studio Text-behind-image went viral. More coming. - Build simple, focused AI tools• Ride viral trends• Credit pack monetization• $7/week pricing psychology Adobe does this. Why not you? 7) High-LTV SaaS Services Find tools people pay for but barely use.• Target Klaviyo, HubSpot, Sage• Build productized service• Create digital assets/templates• Add custom plugins 25k+ customer LTV  Notable Quotes:"Labels are like a bank. That's all they turned into." - Cody Schneider "Find trends. That's a very hard thing, I think, for the average person to do. But I think to that point, I think it's gonna get easier and easier to see these trends that are occurring." - Cody Schneider Want more free ideas? I collect the best ideas from the pod and give them to you for free in a database. Most of them cost $0 to start (my fav) Get access: https://www.gregisenberg.com/30startupideas LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/ BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/ BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/ Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co FIND ME ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenbergInstagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/ FIND CODY ON SOCIALCody’s startup: https://www.swellai.com/X/Twitter: https://tinyurl.com/5fjdn8d7LinkedIn: https://tinyurl.com/28e89f5r

    45 min

  5. FEB 12

    The Actual Process Behind a $10.5K/Month Directory Website

    Get the exact system used to build profitable local directories: https://www.gregisenberg.com/directory The episode features Frey Chu explaining his methodology for building profitable directory websites, using dog parks as a case study. He demonstrates how to identify opportunities through keyword research, validate ideas through social proof, and implement a basic yet effective directory structure. The discussion emphasizes that even simple directory websites can generate significant passive income through various monetization methods, while also serving as a foundation for larger business opportunities. Timestamps:00:00 - Intro03:40 - Examples of Profitable Directories and their traffic10:35 - Why Build Directories12:23 - Finding and validating directory ideas26:44 - Data collection and enrichment42:21 - WordPress implementation46:36 - Monetization strategies Key Points:• How to identify profitable directory website opportunities using keyword research and competition analysis• Step-by-step process for validating directory ideas using Reddit and social listening• Data collection and enrichment techniques for building comprehensive directories• Simple implementation strategy using WordPress or other CMS platforms• Monetization strategies including AdSense, affiliate marketing, and potential SaaS opportunities 1) First, find your niche:• Use Ahrefs "near me" searches• Look for 30-100K monthly searches• Target keyword difficulty under 20• Avoid seasonal/branded keywords• Find niches with fragmented search intent 2) Validate your idea:• Check competition on Google• Look for basic/outdated directories• Browse Reddit discussions• Confirm real user pain points• Set a "bounty" on weak competitors 3) Data Collection Strategy:• Use Google Maps scraping tools (like Outscraper)• Focus on exact category matches• Collect key data points: - Name, address, phone- Reviews & ratings- Hours & location links- Street view images 4) Data Enrichment • Add unique features competitors lack• Include amenity details (shade, benches, etc)• Use AI tools to automate enrichment• Focus on solving specific user problems• Make data actually USEFUL 5) Building The Directory:• Start with simple "static pillar pages"• Target city-specific keywords• Include: - Table of contents- Location details- Embedded maps- Reviews- Internal linking structure 6) Monetization Options • Display ads (most passive)• Affiliate partnerships• Lead generation• Data collection/email lists• Potential SaaS upsell Notable Quotes "AdSense has been the closest thing that I've ever experienced to passive income." - Frey Chu"People are monetizing directories wrong. They're just putting AdSense... The opportunity is actually to build software on top of these directories." - Greg Isenberg LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/ BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/ BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/ Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co FIND ME ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenbergInstagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/ FIND FREY ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://x.com/freychuYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@FreyChuFrey’s Newsletter: https://shipyourdirectory.kit.com

    54 min

  6. FEB 10

    The Step-by-Step Plan to Go From $3M to $10M+

    In this episode, Ayman Al-Abdullah, former CEO of AppSumo, shares his framework for scaling businesses from seven to nine figures. The conversation focuses on the importance of customer retention, strategic hiring, and proper incentive structures. Ayman shares insights from his experience scaling AppSumo from $3M to $84M in revenue, emphasizing the transition from founder to CEO mindset. Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction and background02:47 - Discussion of the Nine Steps framework08:13 - Team building and executive compensation10:35 - The Reality of Startup Valuations14:36 - The importance of setting a strong foundation15:59 - Focus on Retention Before Growth22:26 - Evaluating Opportunities and Thinking Big29:47 - Examples of Successful Founders that Ayman admires31:35 - The Importance of Focus in Business33:26 - Build Skyscrapers, Not Strip-malls 36:01 - The importance of being the best in the market37:54 - Where to double down in your business40:22 - Testing and Investing in Business Strategies42:05 - Identifying Bottlenecks in Your Business44:39 - Finding Your Zone of Genius Key Points:• The "Nine Steps to Nine Figures" framework divides business growth into three phases: startup, scale-up, and grow-up• Focus on retention and customer loyalty before aggressive growth• Use the "Test Then Invest" framework with 80% resources on core business and 20% on experiments• Structure executive compensation with a 50-50 split between top-line and bottom-line metrics 1) The "Nine Steps to Nine Figures" Framework: Breaks down into 3 phases:• Startup (Product Market Fit)• Scale-up (Company Creation)• Grow-up (Legacy Protection) Most founders get this wrong from day 1... 2) RETENTION over GROWTH  "Building a business without focusing on retention is like building a skyscraper on sand" Every 3% increase in net revenue retention = DOUBLES company valuation Stop chasing growth before you nail retention! 3) The 80/20 Marketing Rule: • 80% of resources on proven channels• 20% on experimental channels Real example: AppSumo tested switching from credits to cash payments for referrals → Became 8-figure revenue channel 4) The Shield vs Sword Framework for Decision Making: Rate every opportunity 1-5 on:• Impact (Sword)• Effort (Shield) Only pursue 8+/10 total score opportunitiesIgnore the rest - they're distractions 5) On Building Your Executive Team: Two core functions:• Sales (CRO)• Delivery (COO) Pro tip: Hire first in YOUR zone of geniusWhy? You'll know what excellence looks like 6) The Triple, Triple, Double, Double Path to $100M: Year 1: $3M → $9MYear 2: $9M → $27MYear 3: $27M → $54MYear 4: $54M → $108M This is how you hit 9-figures in 5 years  7) REVOLUTIONARY Compensation Framework: Forget traditional equity!Instead:• Set total comp package• Let employees choose cash vs equity split• Makes equity REAL by forcing skin in the game 8) CEO Evolution: "The founder is the hardest working personThe CEO should be the laziest" Your job: Think 3-5 quarters ahead while your team executes  Key Takeaway:Focus on retention firstBuild processes before hiringThink in 5-year blocksExecute with intention Notable Quotes:"Product market fit is when it feels like you're wearing a meat suit in a dog park - you just have more leads than you know what to do with." - Ayman"Every 3% increase in net revenue retention doubles a company's valuation." - Ayman LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/ BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/ BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/ Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co FIND ME ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenbergInstagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/ FIND AYMAN ON SOCIAL Ayman’s Website: https://aymanalabdullah.comX/Twitter: https://x.com/aymanalabdulLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aalab003/

    52 min

  7. FEB 5

    I built an AI startup in 65 minutes (using ChatGPT, Leonardo AI, Kling AI, ElevenLabs)

    Greg's step-by-step guide to building a startup using AI workflows: https://www.gregisenberg.com/ai-startup In this episode, Omar Choudhry, a serial entrepreneur, shares the exact prompting sequences he uses to combine multiple AI tools to create products people actually want to buy. Watch us build a custom avatar business live. You'll learn the exact process: from crafting the perfect prompts in ChatGPT, to generating images in Leonardo AI, to animating with Kling AI, all the way to automated fulfillment with Printful. This isn't theory - it's a complete blueprint you can copy today. Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction and overview04:22 - Technical, Audience, and Cultural Shifts10:12 - Explanation of sequential prompting14:15 - How to create an AI Avatar using ChatGPT and Leonardo AI26:18 - Startup Idea 1: Custom AI Greeting Cards36:43 - Teenie Tales MVP showcase43:10 - How to animate AI Avatar’s using Kling AI 52:50 - Startup Idea 2: Personalized AI Sticker’s Key Points:• Detailed walkthrough of creating AI avatars using sequential prompting across multiple AI tools• Exploration of business opportunities in personalized greeting cards and educational materials• Discussion of automated workflows combining ChatGPT, Leonardo AI, and Kling AI• Integration strategies with print-on-demand services like Printful for physical products 1) The Big Shift in Business Models: Traditional path:• Raising VC $$$• Years to launch• Large teams• Office space needed New AI-First path:• Build instantly• Low cost• Zero employees• Remote-first 2) The Sequential Prompting Framework  Omar's genius method:• Use ChatGPT to create prompts• Feed prompts to specialized AI tools• Chain outputs together• Build user-friendly frontend Example flow:ChatGPT → Leonardo AI → Kling AI → 11Labs 3) Business Idea #1: AI-First Greeting Cards  The $400M Moonpig-killer:• Upload photos → Get AI avatars• Generate personalized scenes• Add animation & voice• Print physical cards Monetization:• $7-10 per card• $10-15 monthly subs• Gift upsells 4) Business Idea #2: Educational AI Stickers  Target market: Schools & Teachers The product:• Custom teacher avatars• Personalized student stickers• Achievement celebrations• Classroom decorations Distribution:• Direct mail to principals• School district partnerships 5) The Technical Stack  Tools needed:• ChatGPT for prompts• Leonardo AI for images• Remove.bg for backgrounds• Printful API for fulfillment• Zapier/Make for automation CAC potential: $15/customer 6) Marketing Strategy  Guerrilla tactics:• Find faculty directories• Create custom samples• Direct mail campaigns• Social media DM outreach• Leverage virality in schools Pro Tip: Start manual, perfect the process, then automate! 7) BONUS INSIGHT  The real opportunity isn't just in the tools - it's in the UX layer on top. Build specific solutions for specific problems.Create branded experiences.Make it dead simple to use. The tools are commodities. The experience is the moat. Notable Quotes:"We're building full workflows today using AI avatars. I'm going to have a ton of business ideas that you can start immediately with zero employees." - Omar "By the end of this episode, you'll be able to assemble an AI SaaS product that can literally print you cash." - Omar LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/ BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/ BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/ Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co FIND ME ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenbergInstagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/ FIND OMAR ON SOCIAL 5 Day Sprint - Build with AI: https://www.skool.com/5-day-sprint/aboutInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/omarchoudhry/X/Twitter: https://x.com/OmarChoudhryLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omarchoudhry/?originalSubdomain=uk

    1h 5m

  8. FEB 3

    4 microSaaS ideas you can build to make $100k/month

    In this episode, Sari Azout, Founder and CEO of Sublime,  explores various startup ideas and business concepts. The discussion centers on the evolving nature of startups in the AI era, emphasizing the importance of focusing on specific, well-defined problems rather than broad solutions. Sari shares multiple business ideas, from parental control services to creative tools, while discussing the philosophy behind building successful products in today's market. Timestamps:00:00 - Introduction and setup00:57 - Startup Idea 1: DrScreenTime06:39 - Startup Idea 2: Business-in-a-box ideas13:34 - What becomes scarce in an AGI world? 14:38 - Founders and Their Approaches16:10 - Akio Morita Simplicity Principle 17:01 - Startup Idea 3: Podshot 22:10 - Discussion on micro-startups 25:53 - Testing Ideas and Positioning29:03 -  Feedback and Intuition33:04 - Startup Idea 4: Meme generator  Key Points:• Discussion of several innovative startup ideas including "DrScreenTime" (parental control franchise), PodShot, and meme generator • Exploration of business-in-a-box concepts and the future of trades/crafts• Analysis of micro-startups vs. traditional startup approaches 1) The "Franchise for Parental Controls" Idea  Parents are desperate for help managing screen time. Current solutions = messy. Opportunity: In-home screen time consultants who: - Set up controls- Create family rules- Recommend apps/tools Revenue model:• $2K setup fee• Recurring affiliate revenue• Think "Dr. Screen Time"  2) The "Business in a Box" Trend  Big insight: What becomes scarce in an AI world?Answer: People doing things with their hands! Opportunity: Modern craft business franchise• Partner with local artists• Supply chain + education• Target: offline-first experiences• Status = disconnecting from screens 3) The Trade School Revolution  Huge opportunity in modernizing trade education:• Lambda School model for trades• Zero upfront tuition• Revenue share after job placement• Bundle with business tools/marketing• Focus: plumbing, electrical, etc. Why? Trades becoming MORE valuable in AI era 4) The Micro-Startup Strategy  Modern startup playbook: 1. Have a 10-year vision2. Unbundle into micro-products3. Start with easiest/viral pieces4. Build distribution first Key insight: "Nobody searches for an inspiration engine" 5) Product Development Philosophy  Two types of founders:• Artists (creative vision driven)• Scientists (iteration driven) Choose your path but stick to it. Sari’s 2024 goal: "Take less feedback, trust intuition more" 6) The Meme Generator Opportunity  Final killer idea: Long-form to meme converter• Input: articles, presentations, links• Output: culturally relevant memes• Train on curated meme library• Potential $10M+ SaaS business Why? No idea goes mainstream without memes  Key Takeaway: 2024 startup strategy: 1. Build close to OR far from AI2. Focus on what becomes scarce3. Start micro, think macro4. Distribution not Product Notable Quotes:"No idea will become mainstream if it's not captured in a meme." - Sari Azout"Screenshots are the new bookmarks." - Greg LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/ BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/ BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/ Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co FIND ME ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenbergInstagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/ FIND SARI ON SOCIAL Sublime: https://sublime.appX/Twitter: https://x.com/sariazoutSubstack: https://sublimeinternet.substack.com

    38 min
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    Hosts & Guests

    4.6
    out of 5
    26 Ratings

    About

    Get your creative juices flowing with The Startup Ideas Podcast. Published twice a week, we bring you free startup ideas to inspire your next venture. Hosted by Greg Isenberg, CEO of Late Checkout and former advisor to Reddit and TikTok. Subscribe so you don't miss out. For more startup ideas, we created a database of 30+ startup ideas you can take at https://gregisenberg.com/30startupideas

    Information

    • Creator
      Greg Isenberg
    • Years Active
      2021 - 2025
    • Episodes
      202
    • Rating
      Explicit
    • Copyright
      © The Startup Ideas Podcast
    • Show Website
      The Startup Ideas Podcast

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