startups are just chats, lists, or spreadsheets

package startups

import "math/rand"

func StartupIdeaGenerator() string {
    ideas := []string{"a chat", "a mailing list", "a spreadsheet"}
    return ideas[rand.Intn(len(ideas))]
}

strip away the buzzwords and what’s left?

startups look fancy with their slick apps and compelling pitches. but underneath? they’re just chats, lists, or spreadsheets wearing expensive clothes.

this isn’t criticism - it’s genius. they take old tools and make them work better. let’s break it down.

uber? just a chat app.

you “message” your location into a geo-tagged chat room. drivers “reply” when they want the job. fancy ui sure, but the core? pure chat logic.

twitter? fancy mailing list.

you subscribe to people’s thoughts. tweets hit your “inbox” (timeline). you “post” to your followers. it’s email for people with attention deficit.

airbnb? spreadsheet meets chat.

listings, prices, and dates (spreadsheet) plus guest-host negotiations (chat). that’s it. that’s the billion-dollar idea.

here’s 20 more stripped naked:

1. slack: group chat with file uploads.
2. notion: spreadsheet pretending to be everything.
3. whatsapp: chat app with pictures.
4. google docs: collaborative spreadsheets.
5. asana: todo list with extra steps.
6. calendly: spreadsheet of time slots.
7. substack: mailing list that makes money.
8. zoom: video chat room.
9. stripe: spreadsheet that handles money.
10. discord: chat with rooms.
11. figma: collaborative drawing chat.
12. medium: blog post mailing list.
13. yelp: business review spreadsheet.
14. spotify: playlist spreadsheet with sound.
15. github: code spreadsheet with issues.
16. doordash: restaurant chat with delivery.
17. etsy: handmade goods spreadsheet.
18. robinhood: stock market spreadsheet ui.
19. kickstarter: funding chat room.
20. duolingo: gamified vocab spreadsheet.

here’s the thing: simple works.

startups don’t need to reinvent the wheel. they just need to make it spin better. next time you’re brainstorming ideas, ask yourself: is it a chat, list, or spreadsheet?

if it is, you’re halfway there. the other half? that’s just execution.

“old tools in new clothes - that’s innovation.”

try it: what does StartupIdeaGenerator() say your next big thing will be?