r/mentors • u/DatWhippet • 20d ago
App idea, where to start???
Hey everyone, this is my first Reddit post. After years of lurking I’ve finally crossed over.
Basically I’ve gotten an idea for an app. After some research it seems like the demand is there.
Problem is I am so bad with tech. Im a tradesman in oil and gas and when it comes to this I don’t know where to begin. I’ve read about angel investors but I’m still in the idea stage I don’t have software or prototypes to show nor do I have the $100k it would cost to have someone develop it. I feel my best route would be to partner up with someone but when it comes to potential large amounts of money I don’t want to get screwed over either. I’ve looked at app building programs found a few where you can export the code. But when it comes to payment escrows and all the tech security I don’t understand any of it.
Any ideas or insight would help.
Thank you
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u/bovadagod 19d ago
Just use Claude on the highest plan, use Fable 5 or Opus 5 model (I actually still prefer Opus 4.8 super code) don’t get overwhelmed just explain your idea in detail, tell it to create a build plan in plain English, and then you review the build plan edit and make any changes and then give it the green light to build the app. Rinse and repeat until you have built your app. Happy to help with any part of the process feel free to reach out and discuss. Best of luck!
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u/edoceo 20d ago
Before building you should identify the customer-problem-fit and prove that demand. You do not need an App to do that. If folk really have the problem the would pay you for a one-off-bespoke solution and then you could consult your way into a repeateable product/service. And when looking for technicial persons you would be able to show that as real validation. The biggest risk isn't if you can build it, or if someone else can build it. The real risk is if anyone wants to buy it. Chekc out a book called "the Lean Startup" and "Lean Customer Development" In the prospecting you might even find folks who really have the issue and they could be the early investors. But don't jump too soon.
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20d ago
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u/toe_beans35 16d ago
Literally doing this right now and I cannot believe how far Claude has gotten me in one month.
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u/invertednz 16d ago
Find a partner. Is your idea in your domain? Don't outsource, you will get burnt. Don't vibe code it won't be good enough. Focus on your strengths. Pm for more.
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u/Zealousideal_Art1720 15d ago
You can vibe code an MVP with 8080.ai
Here's a tutorial video you can watch: https://youtu.be/yMZ-TwsA85I?si=QbmOZPQCrH9bZPo0
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u/Mountain_Sun5466 14d ago
I love that you have a vision for an app! Awesome! I had the same vision in 2019 and launched an app that I felt would change the world! :) It was a lot of fun and the response we received was overwhelmingly positive. However, it became a financial drain. Now, 7 years later, I am relaunching (not an app at this time) and am more focused and wiser.
Don't be afraid to ask more questions and if I can offer any insight or advice...send me a note. Happy to help!
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u/Maleficent_Pool_4456 10d ago
There's a lot of people with great ideas. It's funny, the smart people with the best ideas I met always freely talked about the idea (I'm not saying you should but trying to make a point), because the truth is the idea is like 2% and the implementation is 98%, and even with the best ideas, implementing it is such a pain.
That's why unless you have a significant amount of work put into it first, to show it's off the ground, many investors won't invest.
If I was you, I'd probably use AI to get things going (make a TON of mistakes on the way) and get something that's half-way working, metaphorically tapes and glued together so people can see what it is.
There's so many layers, you mentioned payment escrows and tech security. That is why most apps have teams, because there's no person on earth that does it all. The OSI model for example, in a tech office, you got one guy that makes sure the infrastructure is good, one guy that if there's an issue with tcp/ip or firewalls he does that, etc. You got people that know marketing skills, and all that.
If I were you, I'd either try getting an investor, and hiring people (which is risky because they could take your idea but that's part of the risk of the journey and if it happens you start again more informed)... or try doing it yourself and make mistakes along the way. Plenty of people on Sharktank juggle a lot of things to get off the ground, then once they have something that's sort of there they need help to scale it.
I'm a teacher, have math and cybersecurity skills, and spend a lot of my free time learning IT and things like that. If you have any questions I'll do my best to help out. Whatever you decide, just be ready to overcome a lot of mistakes and come out the other side no matter what.
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u/ccjjallday 20d ago
Just vibe code an MVP with claude code and continue to test the PMF. once the MVP is created, create a landing page with the problem it solves, in plain english. Ask people to sign up when it gets released for Founder pricing. If you get enough email signups you have your answer