Wow. I can’t believe that the last real idea post on this blog was five ideas for Startup Weekend that happened back in February! I’ve been throwing out little 140 character micro-ideas for a while (shameless plug: follow me! @astartupaday), but nothing with substance. So, in honor of the big event tomorrow, I’m going to go old-school up in here and throw out a few ideas to inspire all y’all startup weekend junkies.
Idea #1 – Social Media Certification
Problem: It seems like nowadays everyone is a self-proclaimed social media expert. How can you tell the difference between true social media experts and all the wannabees out there?
Solution: A site that allows users to take a validated, standardized test to determine the true depth of their social media knowledge. The test would be free, and users could post a badge on their site showing off their achievements. For a small fee, users who pass the test can order framed certificates or plaques to display in their office.
Idea #2 – FaceMeme
Problem: As more and more user-generated content is created via social networks, the amount of information becomes overwhelming. Better filters are needed to pull out the best, most relevant information.
Solution: Create a site that pulls out the most popular links from all users who have set their Facebook profiles to “public”, and also allow users to log in to see the top links from their friends. This site would be similar to TechMeme or TwitMeme, but for Facebook status updates. Note: although most users have their profiles set to private now, as Facebook opens up more this app would be in a good opportunity to capitalize on the flood of data that will eventually be available from the Facebook public stream.
Idea #3 – Call 2 Compare
Problem:When people are out shopping for big-ticket items at brick-and-mortar stores, it is difficult to know if you are getting the best price or not.
Solution:Using the awesome Twilio service, build an app that allows users to call a phone number, enter the UPC code using your keypad, and hear a list of the best prices for that item.
Idea #4 – Party Starter
Problem: You’re hanging out at a party where you don’t know anyone and are having a hard time making conversation with strangers
Solution: A mobile app that provides conversation starters, jokes, and other nuggets to make you the life of the party.
Idea #5 – Raising John Stamos
Problem: The problem is that this app needs to be made! I pitched it at the last Startup Weekend, but it didn’t get enough interest. Sooner or later…this will get made. 🙂
Solution: It’s a mobile app that follows the basic format as the Tamagotchi or (fluff)Friends virtual pet – but with a twist.
Instead of raising a cute little fuzzy animal, you would instead start off with an egg that hatches into a baby John Stamos. Your job is to nurture your little Stamos from a fussy little baby into an international superstar. Along the way, your Stamos would evolve from being an out-of-work waiter to landing his first TV commercial to getting cast in a pilot to becoming the uncle we all wished we had, Uncle Jessie in Full House.
So which idea should I pitch on Friday? Leave your suggestions in the comments below!
A Startup A Day 