Really good post ang1170. Sorry to hear that it didnt work out.
So would you advise that I call EI soon considering that I would not be in a position to work on this fulltime for another 18 months or so? What could/should I do in the meantime to prepare....feasibility study? Business Plan? Research the market more?
If you could do it over again what would you do differently?
Thanks for the comment.
Just to clarify: when I said the company is no longer trading, I meant just that. We sold the main assets of the company (mainly software we'd developed) to our main customer, a very large multi-national. Basically, we'd had a whole series of setbacks (nearly went under a few times), which together with a lack of enthusiasm for continuing left this as the best option. Luckily all debts were paid off by the deal we did, but equally, nobody made anything either. I learned a huge amount from the whole experience.
As for your questions:
- Absolutely, do as much market research as possible. You can never do too much (unless the time spent on it is stopping you from acting on the results of the research)
- Definitely prepare a business plan. Even if you never show it to anyone, it wil clarify your own thinking and make it obvious where you need to spend more time and effort.
- As for feasibility, EI will fund you 50% for this, which is useful. However: do it for the right reasons not just because you can get this assistance.
What would I do differently?
I'm more or less convinced that the model, which is quite common in technology (where I work), of (a) have a bright idea (b) go build some of it (c) raise some finance based on that prototype (d) use the funding to build and market it and (e) sell it, is completely wrong.
You need to start selling as soon as possible. Even if you want to build product X, start going out and selling something you do have. If you're out selling you're talking to customers, building relationships, learning about the market. You can use this to refine your ideas about X (maybe even dump it and start to build Z instead).
Funding is a real minefield: VCs have pulled right back, and they're now operating like banks (want virtual guarentees of sucess before they'll fund, and the terms are crazy). There's plenty of private investment out there, but it can be difficult to tap without a track record.
My inclination (for my next venture) is to start really small and build from there before seeking outside investment (if at all).