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PG

Paul Graham

03/19/17

@ Y Combinator

The way to come up with good startup ideas is not to try to think of them consciously; instead, take a step back and let your mind work on them unconsciously.

Video

YC

Before the Startup with Paul Graham (How to Start a Startup 2014: Lecture 3)

@ Y Combinator

Before the Startup with Paul Graham (How to Start a Startup 2014: Lecture 3)

03/19/17

Related Takeaways

YC

Y Combinator Cast

11/18/22

@ Y Combinator

To generate startup ideas, it's more effective to notice them organically rather than forcing the process, as most successful YC companies found their ideas this way.

PG

Paul Graham

03/19/17

@ Y Combinator

To develop a mindset that generates startup ideas unconsciously, learn a lot about things that matter, work on problems that interest you, and collaborate with people you respect.

MS

Michael Seibel

11/29/18

@ Y Combinator

To come up with a startup idea, you should actively seek a particular problem you are passionate about solving, rather than waiting for inspiration to strike.

MS

Michael Seibel

11/29/18

@ Y Combinator

People are not taught how to find startup ideas; they often expect ideas to come to them organically, like a light bulb moment, which is not how it works.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

05/16/25

@ Y Combinator

The best way to discover new startup ideas is to follow your own curiosity and keep building.

PG

Paul Graham

03/19/17

@ Y Combinator

The best startup ideas often begin as side projects because they are outliers that your conscious mind might reject as viable business ideas.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

02/08/25

@ Y Combinator

To discover great startup ideas, founders should either introspect on their unique skills or actively engage with different industries and communities outside their immediate environment.

JF

Jared Friedman

11/18/22

@ Y Combinator

A good recipe for generating startup ideas is to start with a problem you've personally encountered, ideally one that you're in a unique position to see.

YC

Y Combinator Cast

02/08/25

@ Y Combinator

Reading Paul Graham's essay "How to Get Startup Ideas" can help aspiring founders overcome mental blinders that prevent them from considering ambitious ideas, which often remain unrecognized due to fear.