There's no one answer to this question - every tech startup is different, and each founder has their own process for coming up with ideas. However, there are a few common ways that tech startups get ideas:
- Identifying a problem that needs solving
One of the most common ways to come up with a startup idea is to identify a problem that needs solving. This could be a problem you've personally experienced, or something you've seen someone else struggle with. Once you've identified a problem, you can brainstorm potential solutions that could solve it.
- Building on existing ideas
Another common approach is to build on existing ideas. This could involve taking an existing concept and making it better, or coming up with a new twist on an existing concept. For example, Airbnb was inspired by a similar service called Couchsurfing.com.
- Spotting a trend
Keep an eye on trends in the tech industry, as well as broader cultural and social trends.Spotting a trend early on can give you a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor with a new product or service.
- Brainstorming with others
Collaborating with others is a great way to generate new ideas. Brainstorming sessions can be a great opportunity to get feedback and perspective on ideas, as well as to bounce new ideas off of each other.
- Taking inspiration from nature
One final way to get ideas is to take inspiration from nature. Biological systems are often incredibly efficient, and there's a lot we can learn from the way they work. For example, the sharing economy startup Airbnb was inspired by the way that animals share resources in the wild.