The Need for Disruption

Around two decades ago, an investor rejected one of my most exciting proposals, which had already gained traction with both customers and potential investors—just not him. His critique? "It's not wild enough," he remarked. "You could find success and earn a decent profit, but it's not groundbreaking enough for me to invest." At that moment, I developed a strong aversion to the term "disruptive." To prove him wrong, I dove headfirst into refining my idea the very next day. I established a company that quickly became successful, profitable, and even received accolades, all without outside investors.

Intrepid Media was among the first social networks for writers, predating the explosion of social networking sites (circa 1999). Unlike Facebook, it didn't convert users into products, nor did it adhere to Twitter's character limitations; it prioritized quality over commercialization. However, after a strong 12-year run, Intrepid Media eventually plateaued, transitioning from significant profits to modest returns before I decided to shut it down to pursue an eccentric project focused on teaching computers to write news articles.

For the record, that investor and I later became good friends, and we still maintain our friendship.

The Lifeblood of Innovation

Let’s rewind to the mid-2000s. The idea of creating a mass-market computer that was user-friendly and portable seemed absurd initially. But by transforming that concept into a "pocket-sized" device that "manages your life," the iPhone was born.

This pattern is easy to recognize:

• Selling products without a physical storefront was deemed ludicrous in 1994—enter Amazon.
• Charging passengers for rides during a commute seemed ridiculous in 2009—hello Uber and Lyft.

In 2010, while still grappling with stagnation at Intrepid Media, I began developing algorithms that turned data into human-like narratives for a nascent startup that would eventually become Automated Insights. Unbeknownst to us at the time, we were pioneering the first Natural Language Generation engine before the concept even existed. I was motivated not by the craziness of the idea, but by a desire to compensate for the lack of boldness in my previous ventures. Within five years, we successfully raised over $11 million and sold to a private equity firm for significantly more.

The Takeaway: The Power of Crazy Ideas

Recently, an entrepreneur asked me how to turn a wild idea into a feasible project or how to refine it enough to commit time and resources. I opted for the latter and shared my strategies for transforming unconventional ideas into thriving businesses—because I still have my share of wild concepts. For example, the notion that I could help entrepreneurs become better for just $10 a month sounds like something a late-night TV pitchman would shout.

The issue lies in the fact that while being methodical isn't inherently wrong—most successful entrepreneurs adopt a slow and steady approach—it often leads to invisibility. Many achieve success by catering to a discerning market with sensible solutions. I have done this multiple times, yet I still find myself needing to create my own buzz to gain visibility.

While a cautious approach keeps you out of trouble (unlike the missteps of Theranos or WeWork), it doesn't encourage the kind of boldness that leads to groundbreaking innovation. There's a middle ground where audacity, ethics, and sound business practices intersect. Many entrepreneurs are racing toward this sweet spot, and those who already embrace strong ethical standards and sound practices need to take their boldest risks.

Who knows what the next groundbreaking idea that could revolutionize the market looks like today? It will take someone committed to turning audacity into the norm to make it a reality.

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Chapter 1: The Value of a Bold Concept

This video explores how to identify promising startup ideas, addressing common misconceptions and emphasizing the importance of creativity and boldness.

Chapter 2: Transforming Crazy Ideas into Viable Ventures

This video delves into assessing whether your startup idea is truly genius and how to refine it for success.