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What I Learned in My First Month of Running a Startup Accelerator

One of the things I focused on is trying to make the program a lot more structured than YCombinator and modeled it around a finishing school that I always wanted.

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Microsoft Accelerator
Photo: dr-hempel-network.com

I have been the CEO of the Microsoft Accelerator for the past month. There are 11 companies as part of the batch and it has been an exciting ride. One of the things I focused on is trying to make the program a lot more structured than YCombinator and modeled it around a finishing school that I always wanted. Here are the top things I learned.

1. Don’t Try to Change an Entrepreneur’s Idea

They have to come up with something they like themselves. This seems fairly trivial. There are many incubators and seed funds that believe if you dont have an idea, but are great entrepreneur material, they will “give you ideas”.

That rarely works. Entrepreneurs have ownership and pride only for things they believe “they came up with on their own”. Anything borrowed (even if its a clone or knock-off idea from a US startup) is theirs. They will put more wood behind their idea than anything you ever propose.

2. Indian Entrepreneurs Have Varied Expectations from Accelerators

One entrepreneur wanted “execution” help in actually doing the design (preferably a full time designer and user experience person for a few weeks to do it) and another wanted better quality food at the cafeteria.

Some think the biggest value proposition of an accelerator is the “quality of the space” (i.e the physical location), while another thought the value was the other startups who would egg them to get better.

3. “Grass is Greener

Regardless of what you offer, there’s always someone offering more or better, which I think is the “grass is greener on the other side syndrome”. If I had a penny for every time someone said “I have heard YCombinator founders get XYZ” or “500 startups gives more ABC”, I’d have enough money to fund all the startups for a year.

4. Indian Companies Need a Lot More User Experience and Design Help than Any US Company

I have invested in over 20+ companies in the US and about 11 here in India. Its extremely hard to find good user experience talent in India. This is a different person from someone that just does Photoshop and illustration. We interviewed 23 “highly recommended” designers and user experience professionals in India. Most were average and were still charging rates from $20 / hour to $100 / hour. No negotiation.

Also read: 7 The Best Business Ideas to Make Money for Long-Term

5. The Go-to-Market Challenge is Largely Under-Appreciated in India among Founders

Many need more help here than any other area, but tend to relegate the problem to “lets hire someone to do that”. Unless one founder is deeply involved in the customer development process, we largely build technology for the sake of it.

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7 The Best Business Ideas to Make Money for Long-Term

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The Best Business Ideas to Make Money

Doing the best business ideas to make money is indeed one of the most profitable long-term businesses. Over time, the business world has developed. Considering that now the reach of business has become easier because of the internet.

For those of you who want to build your own business, of course you have to be smart in reading promising business opportunities and situations for the future. A promising business opportunity can be a gateway to success, either as an additional income or as your main source of work later.

Here is a brief review of the most promising business ideas to tips on building a successful business that you can make a reference before creating your own business!

The Best Business Ideas to make money

For those of you who want to create an independent business, here are the best business ideas to make money that have the biggest and most promising opportunities in the future that you must know, namely:

1. Online Shop

Online Shop is the best business ideas to make money due to the significant development of the times, so that many people start shopping online. Then, the stock of goods sold in online shops is very high. Even to buy it can be accessed anytime and anywhere with only a mobile phone and internet connection.

2. Freelance

One business that has other great opportunities is freelancer. You can become a freelancer in the world of writing or translation. This will be a great opportunity for those of you who have passion and good writing and foreign language skills.

3. Skincare Business

Skincare also can be the best business ideas to make money. Because skincare products are needed by almost everyone, making this business has potential and can reach a diverse target market. 

However, the ever-changing beauty trends make you have to do research to find out what skincare products are most in demand so that your business does not lose competitiveness and lag behind the times.

4. Culinary and Beverage Business

One of the best business ideas to make money is the culinary and beverage business. Given the growing times, there are more and more unique models and types of food that you can offer at your food stall.

5. Wedding Organizer and MUA

Wedding Organizers (WO) and MUA (Makeup Artist) are also the best business ideas to make money, considering that weddings are one of the traditions in Indonesia that are still widely practiced. However, to run this business you need good teamwork and careful planning to maximize your business.

6. Tour and Travel Business

A tour and travel business is a type of business that provides travel services, ranging from selling flight tickets, hotels, transportation, to tour packages. Tour and travel business opportunities are supported by the development of digital technology.  Usually, to build this business you must also have good communication skills with clients, agents and other communities to reach a wider market.

7. Grocery Store Business

The grocery business is a promising business opportunity, because the need for groceries is always there every day. This makes the grocery business a big enough opportunity to last a long time. In fact, you can also promote your grocery store easily by only utilizing the sophistication of technology and social media.

Success Tips in Doing Business

After you get a lot of information about the most profitable business ideas. Here are some things you must do if you want your business to grow and be recognised by the public at large, including:

  • Promote products by utilizing social media and technology
  • Find out what market needs you can fulfill so that you can take the opportunity
  • Communicate well with customers
  • Learn from failure and dare to take risks so that you will continue to look for the latest innovations in handling failures in business
  • Be consistent with the best business ideas to make money you are building
  • Determine the marketing target, approximately who you want to spread your product to and where to go
  • Make a good management structure, you have to organize time and financial management in detail.

From the above reviews, it can be concluded that all types of the best business ideas to make money will run smoothly if you want to be consistent and have good self-management. 

You also have to be good at reading the marketing situation, in case what needs are being needed by the community and you can adjust it to your business. So, are you ready to build a successful business?

Read Also: 40 Good Brand Name Ideas for Great Business

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Business

5 Profitable Digital Business Ideas, Increase Your Income!

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Digital Business Ideas

Finding the most profitable digital business ideas can be challenging for some people. In this easy and modern era, it also provides many opportunities for someone to build a digital-based business. Given the increasingly sophisticated technology, this makes many people work from home by utilizing the digital world.

There are many kinds of digital businesses that you can build according to your passion. Even with this digital business also provides a fairly large income and to reach clients is easier because it utilizes existing technology.

For those of you who are looking for ideas to establish a profitable digital business this year. Here is a brief review of the most profitable digital businesses and business ideas in 2024 that can add to your information reference!

Understanding the Meaning of Digital Business

Digital business ideas is a business that utilizes technology, both internally and externally. Information technology has transformed business architecture and operations since Internet access became easy for businesses and individuals. The way organizations operate on a daily basis has undergone a significant transformation through technological developments.

The business world is feeling the significant impact of this digital revolution. It has accelerated the activities and procedures of companies to make the most of opportunities with a strategic approach. Digital companies are making the most of this to maximize profits while reducing losses.

Of course, in digital business ideas, people can also utilize technology as their business to increase productivity, marketing and reach to attract clients. Even to do this digital business marketing is not difficult, you can use the social media you have to attract customers.

The way to develop this business is relatively simple and can be done anywhere. By focusing on the use of the internet, mobile devices, social media, and other advanced technologies, digital business creates an ecosystem that allows businesses to run their operations more efficiently and effectively. 

From micro-businesses to giant corporations, everyone can enjoy the benefits of engaging in the digital business world.

The Most Profitable Digital Business Ideas

Now that you know the definition of a digital business that is currently trending. Next, there are some of the most profitable digital business ideas in 2024 that you can even make a reference to build a digital business that can provide a lot of money, including:

1. Content Creator

Content Creator

The most profitable digital business in 2024 is to become a content creator. Where you can make YouTube channels or other social media to reap a lot of benefits. You can create mini vlogs or videos that contain entertainment, tutorials, information or learning.

If you manage to attract an audience, you can also earn a considerable amount of money from the content you create.

2.  Translator

Translator

Translators are also one of the most sought-after digital businesses. For those of you who have basic English, of course you can open a freelance translator to increase your financial income. Usually, this one of most profitable digital business ideas will provide services to translate documents, articles, letters, to videos and films.

3. Online Private Classes

Online Private Classes

For those of you who have a basic teaching and a teacher, you can also develop your digital business by creating private classes online. Where this online private is also a place to make money easily. You can provide learning offers such as English, Maths, and other Sciences.

4. SEO Consultant

SEO Consultant

Being an Search Engine Optimization (SEO) consultant for digital business ideas, you will help websites and businesses improve their ranking on search engines like Google. This involves website optimization, high-quality content creation, and backlinking strategies. 

A deep understanding of search engine algorithms and changing SEO trends is key to the success of this business.

5. Content and Copy Writer

Content Writer

The development of the digital world has led to companies needing writers for their websites, blogs, and even social media captions. No need to meet face-to-face, this job can be done from anywhere. 

You can also write articles that you like on several websites that need contributing writers. Of course, this will be an additional income for you. To become a content and copy writer, you only need to have good analytical, creative and writing skills.

Obviously, to build a profitable digital business you also have to adjust according to your passion and talent. That’s a brief review of the most profitable digital business ideas that you can try!

Read Also: 10 Most in Demand Jobs Right Now for Millennials and Gen Z

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Business

5 Beginner Investing Tips to Avoid Big Loss

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Beginner Investing Tips

Beginner investing tips is one of the trends that many young people are interested in. In fact, investment is also favored by many people, both young and old. The definition of investment itself is an activity of placing funds in one or more than one type of asset during a certain period, with the aim of earning income or increasing value.

However, before investing, you must remain wise and careful in choosing an investment place. Because in modern times like today, there are a lot of scams, especially for those of you who are beginners.

But, as a beginner in investment, you don’t need to worry. Below, we will give some reviews of 5 safe and easy tips on investing, that can be your additional information reference!

Beginner Investing Tips with Safe Steps

Safest Investment Ways
Safest Investment Ways

In this sophisticated era, there are many conveniences offered, including in investing. Various types of investment applications are available, but for those of you who are beginners, don’t make the wrong steps in investing. Here are 5 safe and beginner investing tips that you can follow:

1. Understand the Advantages and Disadvantages of Investing

One of the first tips in investing for beginners is that you must already understand the profits and losses in investing. Because investing is not always profitable, there must be a loss even if it is small.

2. Set Investment Goals

Everyone’s investment goals can be different, therefore before starting investing for beginners, you must determine your goals. In fact for beginner investing tips, you can also determine it according to the long term and short term.

3. Not Tempted by Big Profits

One of the things you must pay attention to about beginner investing tips is don’t be tempted by the large amount of profit. Because this could be a scam that will harm you later.

4. Choose a Safe and Reliable Investment Application

One of the other tips for beginner investors is to choose a trusted application. You can choose an investment application that has been registered with the OJK (Financial Services Authority) if you are in Indonesia. If it is not officially registered, it can be said that the application is a scam.

5. Make Sure Your Finances are in Order

One of the main things beginner investing tips is to make sure that your finances are good. Because in investment, to get profit, you need a period of time. In addition, to invest you also have to adjust the funds you have and your ability.

The Things You Should be Aware in Investment

In simple terms, investment can be defined as an effort to spend a certain amount of money or funds on something with the aim of obtaining benefits in the future. This includes, but is not limited to, real estate, securities (deposits, stocks, bonds), precious metals, jewelry, or other forms.

In beginner investing tips, people need to understand two main things, namely the level of profit offered to return and the level of risks. Specifically for risk, different investors have different tolerance for investment risk. In addition, there are also people in the group who do not take risks. No single investment vehicle is suitable for everyone.

Each person and investor should know their risk profile before investing so that they can choose the investment product that best suits their needs.

The problem is, people and investors often only pay attention to the level of income offered or return, forgetting about the level of risk that can be taken in choosing the investment in question; this is something we rarely pay attention to, sometimes causing regret at the end.

This fact is one of the reasons why the number of victims of fraud and illegal investment requests to the public is increasing. Then, many people are tempted by the promise of investment returns but do not pay attention and do not understand the level of risk involved.

This is what must be considered before making an investment. Given that investment also has a profit and loss side. Therefore, to invest you must adjust the expenditure of your funds.

Final Words

Well, those are some beginner investing tips that you should understand. Investment can be a big or low risk. Then, you need to follow our safe steps above to avoid you from a big loss.

Read Also: 8 Technology Changed the World Successfully

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