Feel like this has probably been asked in here 1,000x but...

I have an idea for a web+mobile based platform

I’ve done market sizing, know exactly what it is and how it’ll work, and even have verbal seed funding offers.

But I can’t code.

What do I do next and how do I protect my idea from being stolen?

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1. Get on social media groups or other online communities, and ask a ton of questions, validating that this is worthwhile and to uncover what NOT to do. Your market size data is actually rather irrelevant, but good on you for doing that.

2. Through that process, also build your personal reputation for this stuff. What does your LinkedIn say about you? Should anyone take you seriously as a founder of X (or is this just hairbrained idea you'd like others to build for you?)

3. With 1 and 2. Build a team. Advisors first (industry specific experience, not just "startup" people!). Seek out those technical partners who can build some things and love what you have in mind.

Let's pause here because this is when and where people worry about stealing...

A) ideas are not original. Burn that in your brain or go home.

B) if other people can do it better than you can, they will. Zero amount of protecting your thoughts will help you succeed. You do it, you do it well, and you might make it. Better part of that is talking about it. And still, others will do it. If they can do it better, they will.

C) if you can't do it... Your options are share it or pay for it. That's it. Decide what you want it be.

Back to our list of steps...

4. With a team... You can build something. But before we go there, let me clarify the hairbrained idea point: if you can't attract a team to join you and do it, you'll have to pay for it. That's just the way it is. 99% of all startups that hire out the tech, fail, so... Go for it, but it almost never works out.

But hopefully, you found and engaged with some technical help! Yay!

Give them equity.

Now, build something.
Not an MVP. That Lean Startup stuff really did a number on people.

Build a website. Build a landing page.

Drive demand for it. Prove people want it. Prove they'll pay for it. Build a list of email addresses ready for it. Prove YOU can create and grow demand.

A ha! Now you have something.
NOW it's worth investing in an MVP (hopefully it's clear why you should NOT build an MVP merely because you have an idea and someone to build it... That's a definition of insanity). Now that you have :

1. A bunch of advise from the public helping you know what NOT to do
2. And a team of advisors and hopefully cofounders or partners, who agree with you
3. AND evidence of demand, people who will pay, and traction....

Now it's worth paying to have something done.

"If you build it, they will come," is only true in cornfields and Kevin Costner movies. Make them come first and then build what they want, not what you think.

likesmart

No one is going to steal your idea. Trust me. A lot of people actually secretly think everyone else’s ideas aren’t going to work/are silly.

Thinking that everyone is out to steal your idea is a surefire way to not getting your startup launched. You don’t gain anything by holding your idea close to your chest.

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You can’t. Unfortunately ideas are a dime a dozen. Execution is everything. Go find yourself a technical co-founder who will execute.

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Worry less about your idea being stolen and more about people hearing about your idea. When it comes time to sell it you want people to know about it.

likesmart

I keep mentioning this. Idea can be secret only until prototype or MVP, if it is secret even after launch, we are missing something! We should worry more about bring the idea to life with swift execution. Ideas can be easily copied but execution skills are hard to be copied or replicated.

There were social media sites before Facebook!

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When you did so much of market research, it’s a simple research to find out options for building the app and protecting the IP. All depends on how much you can stretch on the financials and on the equity sharing. But please remember, the real execution is not as simple as a market research. No output without pain.

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Like others have said execution is crucial . You want to be a few steps ahead so even if someone wants to copy your idea you will be far ahead. This blog has some insights on how to get an app built. https://medium.com/@gobiraj/i-am-not-technical-how-can-i-get-an-app-built-ffe33cc776c8

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Thanks for this! Wasn’t familiar with MoSCoW

Lol “verbal seed funding offer”

I know it’s close to nothing, but it’s not exactly nothing.

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Low code?

I used a company called Zokoo to build my app. I found them on upwork. They are amazing, incredibly insightful and talented. Highly recommend!

You probably wanna do some primary research before you start development.

That being said, put together a functional MVP document laying out the requirements and provide that to a developer.

Finding a developer is a task in itself. I should really write an article about that. I interviewed over 25 developers for my startup.  I did the same thing in my day job when we were interviewing development firms. 

Work with the best of the best to get out an MVP

LOL noooooo no way. Sort of PM, but more taking action as a solo or small team developer to get stuff done.

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